Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 5:34 AM ET

Macro & Central Banks

The July employment report shocked markets, with the economy shedding 23,000 jobs. This weak jobs report lowered expectations for Fed rate hikes. BlackRock’s Rick Rieder argued the contraction reflects a productivity revolution rather than weakness, with AI helping buoy GDP even as hiring slows. The Trump administration restarted its battle to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook, sending a letter about removal after being rebuffed by the Supreme Court, as Trump restarts battle to fire Fed governor. The Senate confirmed Christopher Phelan as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, as Phelan confirmed as CEA chairman. The bond market signaled rising risks, with yields climbing even as the Fed held rates, creating hurdles for home buyers and AI data centers but benefiting retirees, as rising bond yields signal risks. The US Treasury sparked debate by considering auction cutbacks to temper yields, as Treasury auction cutbacks spark debate. The Fed’s Fima repo facility went unused for an eighth straight week, suggesting Japan didn’t use the tool, as Fima repo facility unused. Japan’s 30-year bond sale drew firm demand, bringing relief to a market buffeted by currency turmoil, as Japan 30-year bond sale draws demand. The US bares its financial weak spot, as yen intervention exposed the squishy underbelly of American weakness, according to analysis of US vulnerability. The labor market has shifted into reverse as employers balk at hiring, with a spring surge rapidly fading, as labor market reverses.

Equities

U.S. stocks notched fresh records after the jobs report eased rate-hike fears, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq capping their best week since April. The surprise U.S. job losses sparked a broad rally. U.S. stocks rose as the weak payroll data gave the Fed reason to hold off raising rates. Major stock indexes gained on the data. US stocks closed higher for their second-best week of the year. However, stocks fell in a jittery session amid doubts about the Strait of Hormuz reopening. Strong earnings powered the Dow to another record, its 24th high of the year. U.S. stocks finished mixed as AI volatility offset Hormuz optimism.

European shares advanced for a fourth day, with WPP leading gains in the media sector. UK stock futures rose on Middle East optimism. European indexes edged higher in cautious trade ahead of US jobs data.

In Asia, SK Hynix suffered a second flash crash on the Nextrade exchange, raising questions about trading volatility. Lazard Fund added Samsung during the memory rout, with a fund beating 93% of peers. China’s internet stocks gained as low-cost AI shifts investor focus to internet stocks. India’s top bank beat profit estimates and shares rose. India’s forex reserves are expected to swell to a near-record high, as analysts say reserves rising.

Big Tech stocks stormed back as AI fears faded. SpaceX nears IPO price after a $327 billion rally. SpaceX insider shares unlocked worth up to $100 billion. Private-equity firms pounce on IPOs as the market heats up. Investors whose SpaceX shares vanished before cashing in faced losses.

Fixed Income

Treasury yields fell after the weak jobs report. US Treasuries rallied for the biggest weekly gain since May. Treasury yields ticked down ahead of the BLS report after weak private payrolls data.

Alphabet bond sale drew $115 billion demand. Gainwell's $5.8 billion debt overhaul is the year's biggest software refinancing. BBB-rated bond sales fly in Japan as lower-rated borrowers tap markets. Commerzbank unveils €1.2 billion buyback ahead of UniCredit talks. Wellington pivots from Treasuries to German bonds after the Fed meeting. Japan’s biggest insurers reported $96 billion in bond paper losses as interest rates rose, as insurers post bond losses. Daiichi Life pushes companies for bond issuance in a yield hunt.

Credit & Real Estate

Allianz Trade plans to cut cover for Vistry's suppliers, potentially squeezing cash flow. The UK housing market is in “suspended animation,” with house prices unchanged in July as mortgage rates stretch affordability. London’s housebuilders finally catch a break, but returning to normal won’t be enough to meet government targets. There are ways to fix Britain’s housing crisis by lifting financial and resource constraints, as solutions to housing crisis. Syracuse megamall bonds face $350 million loss as the mall struggles. Puerto Rico muni sale blowout for San Juan’s $121 million bond sale.

Currencies

Dollar falls to lowest since May as rate-hike bets fade. Dollar hits 7-week low after weak payrolls. Yen jumps 1% after US jobs data. Hedge funds cut yen short bets after coordinated intervention. Goldman skeptical of dominance threats to the dollar’s reserve status. Yen intervention dangers of monetary experiments are creating long-term risk. Dollar hedging costs rise after Warsh ditches guidance. US selling euros for yen spurs geopolitical risk, BlackRock says.

Commodities

Oil futures rose Friday but finished down for the week, with WTI at $78.18 and Brent at $83.55. Diesel squeeze fuels winter crunch from Middle East and Ukraine wars. Natural gas futures extend losses for a seventh consecutive week. Crude retreats, fuel stays high as US refineries cash in. Analysts investigate missing barrels of crude. Iran's oil exports stall under US blockade. Refine, baby, refine is the new mantra as fuel-makers max out.

Copper market crunch brews as US and China compete for metal. Nickel drops on quota news from Indonesia. Sugar market data becomes opaque in Brazil. Ukraine grain exports slump after port strikes. Houthi attacks threaten Yemen civil war and a fragile truce.

Market Structure & Regulation

SEC drops insider-trading suit after a presidential pardon. CFTC warns prediction markets on using casino odds. DraftKings CEO blasts prediction bets on earnings calls. Brazil market outage highlights monopoly risks at B3. ‘Twin’ funds act like strangers as performance gaps widen. India's new auction passes test after a chaotic week. WuXi AppTec gets temporary reprieve from Chinese military label.

Single-Stock & Sector Moves

Whatnot valued at $20 billion in new funding. Wendy's cuts dividend and withdraws outlook. Planet Fitness cuts outlook on slow sign-ups. Six Flags shares slide after missed estimates. Celsius shares slump on revenue miss. Peloton forecasts revenue decline as subscriber losses deepen. Under Armour lowers revenue outlook on soft demand. eBay lifts outlook after Depop acquisition. Zillow swings to loss on restructuring costs. AppLovin sales rise but Q3 outlook disappoints. Take-Two logs higher sales but loss widens. Versant Media shares jump after raising outlook. e.l.f. Beauty sales climb 36%. NYT stock plunges 13% as subscriber growth slows. Deutsche Telekom lifts buyback by up to $3.5 billion. JBS gets $2.5 billion from Indonesia for Asia expansion. SoftBank beats expectations on $8 billion Intel stake gain. Allianz posts record operating profit despite reshuffling. Commerzbank CEO calls for dialogue with UniCredit. Airbnb boosts full-year forecast on strong demand. Ford plans four-door Mustang to broaden appeal. Wonder invests in robots and drones for food halls.