Public Markets 3 Days

Last updated: August 15, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

US Equities

US stocks ended with gains for a third straight week, their longest winning streak since May, even as they slipped off record highs on Friday after softer consumer data. The S&P 500 logged its third consecutive weekly gain amid Fed rate hopes. Stocks got a lift from new bets that the Federal Reserve will hold rates steady in September. Despite this, US stocks fell after weak retail sales data tempered enthusiasm about the artificial-intelligence boom that has driven major indexes to record highs.

Global Markets

US futures edged higher after subdued inflation data, while oil, Treasury yields, and gold were all lower as investors weighed signs of cooling U.S. inflation that might allow the Fed to hold rates. US Futures Edge Higher After Subdued Inflation Data European equities finally match US exuberance, with European indexes mixed as tech stocks rise and miners fall.

Fixed Income

Treasury yields rose as weak retail sales data dampened Fed rate-hike expectations. The US two-year yield fell for a third straight week after soft July retail sales data further eroded expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes Bond traders face a welter of confusion as fixed-income markets respond more to geopolitical risk and inflation rather than taking cues from traditional signals like US economic growth.

Currencies

The dollar fell to the lowest since May after an unexpectedly weak report on US retail sales dimmed expectations for an interest-rate hike from the Federal Reserve. Dollar Falls After July Retail Sales Data on their wagers against the yen, signaling a reduction in negative sentiment surrounding the currency after the US and Japan’s historic joint intervention.

Commodities

Oil futures ended the week higher as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remained unresolved with the U.S. and Iran both saying they have control over the waterway. Gold settled up 0.4% Friday, and silver rose 0.2%, with both metals posting gains for the week. U.S. natural gas futures edged up with recovering LNG feedgas and strong pipeline exports to Mexico supporting demand, while near-term heat is likely to keep power-sector use high.

Technology

Nvidia downsized plans for a $250 billion guarantee of an OpenAI data center, as investors are worried about the chipmaker’s risk exposure as it wields its balance sheet to bolster demand for its AI chips. OpenAI and Anthropic are in a price war as Chinese AI rivals gain ground, with the US groups releasing cheaper models after new challenges to their trillion-dollar ambitions. Google enabled AI features for K-12 schools that have allowed student access to Gemini. Until this week, Google automatically enabled Gemini in Classroom only for students 18 or older.

Corporate News

Bally’s Corp. warned investors of “substantial doubt” that it will be able to continue as a going concern as it risks running afoul of its agreement with lenders. MSG Sports has filed a registration statement with regulators for a new company to manage the New York Rangers business separately from its New York Knicks operations. Braskem SA reported better-than-expected results in the second quarter, benefitting from war-related disruptions to petrochemical supplies from the Persian Gulf and Asia.

Economy

A June heat wave in Belgium and neighboring countries exposed a lethal lack of readiness, a risk as another wave hits Europe. The data for July showed the biggest drop in more than a year, as American households face the economic strains brought on by persistent inflation. July Retail Sales Notch Biggest Drop in over a year. Kenya plans to raise $815 million in a eurobond sale by the end of December to finance its budget deficit and reduce debt costs, according to the National Treasury. Kenya Eyes Eurobond, Debt Swaps in a $5.4 billion financing plan.

Geopolitics

China lodged a formal protest with Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni shrine and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited it on the anniversary of Japan’s surrender. French, German and British diplomats are working on a format for future negotiations — even if Russia has shown little interest. Wary of Trump, Europe Seeks Role in eventual Russia-Ukraine talks. An overnight drone strike sparked a fire at Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga, a key gateway for energy and commodity exports, as Ukraine intensifies its campaign against the country’s port infrastructure. Russia’s Biggest Baltic Port Caught Fire After Drone Attack.

Other Markets

Singapore’s stocks have outperformed the world over the past month as their traditional strengths of high dividend yields and resilient balance sheets get a lift from a “Goldilocks” economic backdrop. White sugar futures in London rose for a third straight week, slightly outpacing raw sugar and keeping refining margins near their highest levels in two years. White Sugar Rally Adds to Refining Margins As the stock market keeps surging to record highs, a growing worry among investors isn’t that it may come tumbling back down. It’s fear of missing out. ‘FOMO Insurance’ Drives Options Buying Spree as Stocks Rally On.