Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Market Turmoil
Stocks bloomberg.com plunged Monday as Middle East conflict escalated, with the S&P 500 futures down 1.2% and oil prices surging. US natural gas futures bloomberg.com jumped as much as 7.4% in sympathy with global gas prices amid renewed conflict in the region.
Major Deals
JPMorgan Chase bloomberg.com is set to formally start the process next week of selling syndicated debt for the record leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts. BlackRock ft.com and EQT teamed up for a $33 billion bet on electricity demand, purchasing power plant operator AES which has struggled on stock markets.
Tech & AI
Nvidia wsj.com is investing $2 billion in both Lumentum and Coherent as part of agreements to accelerate advanced optics technologies for AI infrastructure. OpenAI finance.yahoo.com struck a deal with the Pentagon amid tensions with Anthropic, while Nvidia's investment in photonics makers signals growing AI infrastructure spending.
Defense & Aerospace
German defense technology firm Vincorion bloomberg.com is set to begin formally marketing its initial public offering in Frankfurt this week, despite equity markets being roiled by Middle East conflict. Lockheed bloomberg.com gained premarket as defense stocks benefited from escalating tensions.
Energy & Commodities
Gold wagers bloomberg.com hit a 16-week high as risk-off sentiment grew amid Middle East tensions. Allianz Global Investors bloomberg.com is considering purchasing dollars after months betting against the US currency as the war in the Middle East revives its status as a haven asset.
Economic Policy
Traders bloomberg.com aggressively trimmed bets on Bank of England interest-rate cuts after soaring energy prices fueled inflation fears. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney bloomberg.com agreed to a long-term uranium supply deal with India and revived stalled trade talks during his first visit as an elected leader to the country.
Corporate Moves
Fidelity wsj.com posted annual profit growth after market rally lifted revenue to a record high, now overseeing $18 trillion in customer accounts and investment funds. Blackstone bloomberg.com's $55 billion real estate fund for wealthy individuals last month took in more money from investors than it paid out for the first time since 2022, signaling rebounding sentiment.
Market Analysis
S&P 500 investing.com is poised to resume larger rally after testing technical levels, according to Evercore. Strategist investing.com lists four possible scenarios for a post-Khamenei Iran as investors weigh geopolitical risks.