Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 8:33 AM ET

Equities: US & Global

US stocks finished mixed Monday as the S&P 500 edged back from its recent record close, with energy shares gaining on rising oil prices while tech stocks weighed. European indexes were boosted by energy sectors, with the Stoxx 600 and Germany’s DAX extending Friday’s highs. Resilient Europe has turned into a winning bet for money managers, defying stagflation forecasts tied to the Iran war. Investing in the forgotten lands is paying off as the continent ticks many boxes for investors. UK stocks were set to fall Tuesday, as gilts dropped on revived inflation worries. Turbulent month leaves stock funds up 10.6% so far in 2026.

In Asia, Indonesian stocks neared bull-market territory as economic worries receded. India equity fund flows eased in July, but small-cap strategies remained hot. Wipro’s exit from India’s Nifty 50 for exchange operator BSE marks a shift from outsourcing to domestic growth. Nifty 50 inclusion could bring ~$741 million of passive flows into BSE. Hong Kong’s tech index is set for an overhaul to add more AI and robotics companies. Hong Kong’s ‘big bang’ tax reforms aim to include trading firms to compete with Singapore. London needs capital to revive its struggling public markets, said the LSE’s deputy CEO, as UK companies move listings to the US.

Fixed Income & Rates

Bonds retreated and yields rose as oil’s rally revived inflation concerns ahead of key US CPI data. Treasury yields climbed on Middle East tensions and fading hopes for a Hormuz deal. These bonds offer a rare buying opportunity, with TIPS yields near 3%. The SEC exempted data-center bonds from key securitization rules, potentially opening more debt sales. IBM raised C$2.75 billion in its first Canadian bond sale since 2012. Cloudflare plans to sell $2.175 billion of convertible notes after its guidance boost. Duke Energy seeks $1.75 billion via equity units to pay down debt. Fed’s Hammack said “some number” of rate hikes may be needed to tame inflation. The BoE needs more parliamentary attention, as its independence is questioned.

Currencies

The yen slid toward 160 per dollar, raising intervention concerns as the effect of US-Japan joint action faded. The yen has erased half of its intervention gains, testing traders. Will the yen need saving again soon? The effects of recent action are already fading. The yuan’s march against the dollar may resume in September as seasonal factors support it. Deutsche Bank became the first European clearing bank for renminbi as China seeks to internationalize its currency. The renminbi’s hardest mile is only now beginning. Traders are piling into Taiwan dollar options to bet on a rebound. The Singapore dollar was steady, supported by stronger-than-expected 2Q GDP. Aussie-yen is set to approach a three-decade high as Tokyo’s intervention fades. Emerging currencies weakened as the US-Iran standoff lifted the dollar. Emerging assets pressured by higher oil stoking inflation worries.

Commodities: Energy

Oil prices rose to $90 a barrel as the US-Iran stalemate over Hormuz hardened and commercial shipping dwindled. Brent crude touched $90 as Trump demanded compensation from Iran. Oil surged with no Hormuz deal in sight, and latest oil market news shows the rebound extending. Why the real oil squeeze is happening in refineries, as millions of barrels of refined products are off global markets. Trump’s low-key pivot leaves Hormuz oil in limbo, betting he can wait Iran out. Iranian demands disrupt Trump’s plan to end the war. Iran, holding firm, pushes for a return to the June MOU. Tehran says the US must meet new conditions before Iran reopens the strait. Europe gas prices surged as Hormuz deal prospects remained murky. US natural gas futures rebounded on warmer weather and Middle East supply concerns. Trump’s anti-wind crusade is boosting US gas as wind funds are redirected to fossil fuels. AI will boost oil and gas production more than green energy, a report finds. China’s teapots may boost Iran oil buying as stockpiles dwindle. Trump’s Venezuelan oil boom sputters as costs of forcing elections are too high.

Commodities: Metals & Agriculture

Aluminum extended its rally to a seven-week high after a key Brazilian alumina producer slashed output to 50%. Copper shipments from Indonesia were delayed by a Gresik smelter outage. Chile granted an unprecedented reprieve to state copper miner Codelco to reinvest profits. Gold was flat ahead of US inflation data, but gold is rallying again thanks to ETF inflows and central-bank buying. Gold gained amid shifting Fed expectations and central-bank buying. Gold pulled back from a two-month high as focus shifted to inflation. London plots a digital gold pivot to protect bullion trading.

In agriculture, a chicken glut is dragging down meatpackers and lowering grocery bills. Chicken surplus squeezes poultry companies; new food rules proposed. Sugar oversupply warning from French trader Sucden as futures rally. Richer milk, cheaper feed: dairy farms turn to high-oleic soybeans. Record-low Danube strains a vital route for Black Sea grain.

Sector Focus: Technology & AI

Intel investors are banking on a comeback as AI mania transforms demand. CoreWeave’s forecast is key to stopping another earnings selloff. Nvidia becomes the bank of AI as Wall Street works with the chipmaker to assemble a $500bn funding package for AI infrastructure. Wall Street wants another half-trillion for the AI boom. Meta unveiled an ‘open source’ version of its most powerful AI model. Mark Zuckerberg attacks ‘closed’ AI rivals as Meta returns to open models. Tencent’s WorkBuddy sparks AI turnaround hopes after a stock rout. OpenAI’s head of ethics leaves less than a year after joining. Sanders calls on AI companies to pause development to avoid disaster. An AI stock heavy ETF risks spread to the broader equity market. How the AI trade is stealing crypto’s thunder as investors flee bitcoin for AI stocks. Why Meta is betting big on open AI. Can a 30-person start-up build Britain’s answer to OpenAI? The AI threat to India’s IT jobs machine is looming. Boeing to fold its flying-taxi venture into rival Archer Aviation and sell three autonomous flight subsidiaries in exchange for a 16.5% stake. AST SpaceMobile reaffirmed revenue outlook as its satellite network expands. Rocket Lab narrowed its loss as revenue climbed. Hims & Hers boosted revenue target but swung to a Q2 loss. Cloudflare seeks to sell notes after its guidance boost. DayOne Data Centers confidentially filed for a $5 billion US IPO.

Sector Focus: Energy & Utilities

Adani landed an $800 million data center loan as US drops charges. Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc L&S posted record quarterly profit despite regional disruption. Energy veteran Peter Abdo to lead UK’s Grain LNG from October. Braskem creditors push Petrobras for capital as deal deadline looms. An oil refiner that fled California is back with a giant pipeline from Texas — Phillips 66’s 900-mile Western Gateway. Smithfield Foods cut outlook as sales fell. JBS heir to become chief of the world’s largest meatpacker. German truckers take the load as drought hits Rhine shipping; Sunday lorry ban suspended. Data-center backlash leads to a new land rush in the Texas oil patch. The US pledged $2 billion for battery and materials producers. US backs Australian rare earth miner with $400mn loan to cut out China. Construction giant L&T plans India rare-earth magnet bid.

Sector Focus: Financials & Real Estate

Cardinal Health logged mixed sales but sees growth in the new year. America’s mortgage king lost $600 million and needed an Oaktree rescue. Private equity is stuck with 33,575 unsold businesses. Shareholder proposal filings are on the wane. SEC alleges fund adviser misled investors in pre-IPO schemes. Goldman staff named as suspects in a Brazil investigation. 777 Partners filed for bankruptcy after creditors’ liquidation push. Chicago hired a Fitch senior director as its new CFO amid a rash of exits. TPG agreed to buy Lotte Rental for $925 million. Revolut won a French banking licence, accelerating its European expansion. Start-up bank backed by Palmer Luckey is set to raise $1.5bn, valuing Erebor at $8bn. Morgan Stanley to facilitate a $1.5 trillion infrastructure initiative. Banks’ refusal to take on crypto firms risks stunting UK industry growth, lawmakers say. Boeing to sell three autonomous flight subsidiaries to Archer Aviation, gaining a 16.5% stake. On Holding tempered its outlook as running-shoe sales underwhelmed. Domino’s set to release new individual-size pizza for solo diners. Tractor Supply stock climbed to record highs after strong earnings.

Sector Focus: Healthcare

Healthcare investing is now an AI short in disguise as big healthcare companies trade opposite to tech. How a darling of the clean energy transition stumbled — Bloc Power is at risk of collapse. How AstraZeneca’s $400bn tie-up with Bristol Myers unravelled. Tony Blair’s son seeks funding for defence tech start-up Pyra. UK missile and drone interceptor start-up raises $300mn at $3.4bn valuation.

Geopolitics & Policy Impact

Three political tests in crucial primaries; will the left keep winning in the Midwest? Tuesday’s primaries in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Carolina are key. States scrutinize voter rolls as debate over election security heats up. Trump stokes Islamophobia by calling Democratic candidates ‘jihadists’. Trump said to have secretly used a military jet to leave Turkey amid threats. Homeland Security intensifies pursuit of noncitizens on voter rolls. The FCC tries to save broadcast TV by scrapping ownership caps. Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel. Democrats plan new push to defeat Max Miller in Ohio after abuse accusations. North Carolina GOP picks replacement for a scandal-plagued candidate. Can Nebraska’s definitely-not-a-Democrat candidate crack the GOP hold on red America? Blue and red America have become the bitter couple that can’t quite face divorce. Trump wants to move on from the Middle East but it’s not letting him. A fight brews between Mamdani and Amazon over delivery workers. Rabbis plead with Mamdani to tone down anti-Israel messaging. Late Night wonders if Trump got a wig. He says obscene things about mothers – Mike Johnson is raising money for him.

Emerging Markets

Turkish funds urge action as stock swings threaten MSCI status. India’s retail traders lost $9.6 billion in equity derivatives in the year to March. Chinese robot maker’s IPO 5,500 times oversubscribed by retail investors – Unitree raises $900mn. China’s auto market weakens further on subdued demand. Vietnam bets on Korean-style ‘chaebols’ to boost growth. Colombia inflation unexpectedly slows, easing pressure on rates. Egypt headline inflation quickened for the first time since March. Philippine central bank keeps rate hike on table despite weak GDP. Malaysia’s Anwar lost a third lawmaker in a party exodus. South Korean group makes US defence push with a shipbuilding bid — Hanwha offers to buy Austal USA. Samsung SDI buys GM’s stake in their US battery JV. Westpac shares dropped on signs of an Australia housing slowdown.

Market Commentary & Outlook

US futures mostly lower as oil rose on Middle East tension. Uncertainty over the Fed’s rate path could weigh on the dollar. In a sweltering summer, businesses confront the need to adapt. As credit card debt mounts, home becomes a piggy bank. The dating scene in South Korea is suddenly dominated by chip nerds thanks to mid-six-figure bonuses. Hotel prices in Europe surge before a historic solar eclipse. Carbon tax will hit EU’s budget airlines where it hurts. The activists battling solar panel cowboy installers as adoption surges. Burnham promises to tackle ‘rip-off’ discounts and subscription traps.