Public Markets 3d Briefing
×Last updated: August 21, 2026, 11:32 PM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil futures wsj.com posted weekly gains as Middle East wsj.com tensions simmered with no diplomatic progress on the U.S.-Iran conflict. Crude oil wsj.com stockpiles rose by 4.4 million barrels last week, marking the third consecutive build, while natural gas futures wsj.com settled higher for a second straight week on hot summer weather driving electricity demand.
Crypto & Metals
Bitcoin wsj.com jumped more than 9% to hit a peak of $79,455 on Friday—its highest level since late May—as institutional demand and short covering converged. Gold wsj.com climbed back above the $4,600-an-ounce mark as investors viewed the U.S. Treasury's plans to expand bond buybacks as a sign of stress, while Comex Gold wsj.com ended the week 5.56% higher at $4,624.10.
Fixed Income
Bond yields wsj.com rose despite Treasury efforts to curb borrowing costs, extending a turbulent stretch for the bond market wsj.com. US 30-Year Bonds bloomberg.com reversed gains from the Treasury's buyback surprise, showing the move did little to counter angst about surging government debt. Japanese Government Bonds bloomberg.com saw firmer demand than the 12-month average at a 20-year bond sale, while Japan Medium-Term Bonds bloomberg.com experienced the largest foreign outflow since 2006.
Equities
US stocks wsj.com rose Friday as a surging bitcoin and resilient crypto stocks helped lift sentiment. European indexes wsj.com were largely higher at open, with the Stoxx 600 lifted by the banking sector, while Novonesis wsj.com led Europe's Stoxx 600 on a sales beat and guidance raise. Indian stocks topped Indonesia as Asia's least-favored in a Bof A poll, signaling growing caution toward emerging markets.
Banking & Finance
Citadel ft.com offloaded 80% of its portfolio acquired from Situational Awareness, executing more than $4 billion worth of block trades in recent weeks. Private equity wsj.com is deploying an army of AI experts to embed in the firms they back, with Wall Street firms seeing big business potential in offering AI services. Private credit wsj.com is eyeing $1 trillion in British pensions as a next big opportunity, with deals involving Standard Life, CVC, and Goldman Sachs.
Corporate News
Walmart wsj.com is playing the long game by lowering prices using $29 billion in tariff refunds, while Target wsj.com raised its fiscal-year forecast again as turnaround gains traction with consumers. Deere wsj.com reported higher profit and sales in its fiscal third quarter, driven by growth in construction equipment offsetting agricultural weakness. Lowe's bloomberg.com cut its outlook after posting results that missed estimates, citing a weak housing market.
Technology
Nvidia wsj.com is in talks to invest in data-center power developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure, cementing its role in developing data-center projects. Samsung ft.com announced a record $78.88 billion buyback amid the AI boom, while Apple ft.com paid $17 billion in taxes to Ireland following a court ruling on back levies. Alibaba Group wsj.com and AI developments featured prominently in tech market discussions.
Geopolitics & Policy
Treasury Secretary Bessent wsj.com faced a wild week when schooled by the bond market, with his buyback announcement stemming a selloff but not for long. Iran's President ft.com called to end the war with the US from a position of strength, as Iranian Oil bloomberg.com supply to Chinese refiners tightened under the US blockade. Turkey nytimes.com requested Netanyahu's arrest, accusing Israel of abusing flotilla activists.
M&A & Deals
Danone's wsj.com $1.2 billion Huel deal received UK competition clearance, while CK Hutchison bloomberg.com sought $1.5 billion in Panama port arbitration over asset losses. MPS ft.com's proposed a three-way bank merger, thinking three takeovers are better than one. Pinewood ft.com agreed to a £545 million private equity takeover.
Regulatory & Legal
TikTok nytimes.com settled with the US over child privacy concerns for $400 million, resolving a lawsuit accusing the company of illegally gathering children's information. SEC ft.com accused a former Bank of America utilities banker of insider trading, with the regulator saying Satsky helped a friend make $18.5 million in illegal profits. Uber ft.com faced an €825 million Dutch GDPR fine over automating driver suspensions.
Emerging Markets
Brazil's election bloomberg.com saw Lula maintain his lead over Bolsonaro six weeks from the October vote, according to a new poll. YMTC bloomberg.com sought to raise $4.9 billion in a Shanghai IPO, following rival CXMT's offering. Venezuela bloomberg.com signaled readiness to sign oil deals, with the oil minister telling Houston investors the country is keen to ramp up output from its vast reserves.
Commodities & Agriculture
Wild weather bloomberg.com sent crop prices soaring in a risk to China trade, as extreme weather trimmed US harvests and boosted prices for farmers. Adnoc bloomberg.com cuts to Murban volumes sent the flagship oil grade higher, planning to trim crude sold to Asian customers. South African Rand bloomberg.com gained below 16 per dollar, erasing Iran war losses as the greenback extended declines.
Retail & Consumer
BJ's Wholesale wsj.com won value-seeking shoppers with deals on gas and groceries, raising its full-year profit outlook. Starbucks wsj.com was laying off more than 200 workers, while Shein nytimes.com struggled to grow ahead of its much-delayed IPO amid pressure in the US and Europe. Estée Lauder wsj.com doubled down on turnaround efforts as sales climbed 6.3%.
Energy Transition
Nibe Industrier wsj.com shares rose more than 8% after reporting sales and operating profit growth on strong heat-pump demand in Europe and the US. Hua Hong Grace bloomberg.com and Weichai Power joined Hong Kong's stock benchmark, while Chinese EV nytimes.com recalls addressed door safety concerns. Fortescue bloomberg.com saw profits fall as China challenges persisted, despite buoyant iron ore prices.