Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Market Volatility
US oil equities bloomberg.com flatlined despite crude price surges as investors priced in a quick resolution to the Iran conflict. Muni bonds bloomberg.com deepened their selloff with benchmark yields rising eight basis points amid Middle East unrest and surging oil prices. The S&P 500 ended lower yahoo.com marking its first two-week loss since June, while geopolitical tensions rattled Russian hardliners who called for Putin to double down on Ukraine.
IPO Market
SpaceX bloomberg.com has added Citigroup to its IPO bank lineup as Elon Musk's rocket company moves closer to going public. Meanwhile, NYSE President Lynn Martin bloomberg.com said global conflicts including the Iran strikes are unlikely to halt companies from tapping US public markets. The exchange continues to see strong pipeline activity despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Corporate Developments
Paramount Skydance bloomberg.com faces junk ratings after Fitch's downgrade, positioning it among the biggest US high-yield bond market borrowers. D'Ieteren Group bloomberg.com has appointed Rothschild & Co to explore strategic options for its controlling stake in Belron, the global car glass replacement business. Pat McGrath bloomberg.com agreed to a restructuring deal pulling her cosmetics company out of bankruptcy but must give up control.
Fixed Income & Credit
Brookfield CEO Connor Teskey bloomberg.com said credit markets remain in "good shape" despite some concerns in direct lending. The firm maintains its $20 billion Qatar data center plans despite the US-Iran conflict. Allspring's Nicholos Venditti bloomberg.com highlighted municipal bonds' resilience at Bloomberg Invest 2026, while EVgo finance.yahoo.com surged to profitability by strategically placing chargers "where people are."
Technology & Innovation
Meta wsj.com is creating a new Applied AI Engineering organization in its Reality Labs division with a "flat structure" featuring up to 50:1 ratios of individual contributors to managers. Wells Fargo bloomberg.com is leveraging AI to improve productivity and empower its workforce, according to Head of Artificial Intelligence Saul Van Beurden. The CFTC plans to allow US crypto-linked perpetual futures contracts within weeks, bringing offshore trading instruments onshore.
Regulatory & Policy
Senate Democrats wsj.com plan to introduce a bill splitting meat processing operations and scrutinizing foreign ownership. The Trump administration is considering military protection for Hormuz oil tankers amid escalating tensions. Banco Santander's Ana Botin bloomberg.com sought to downplay the rift between the US and Spain following Trump's trade threats.
Regional Markets
Australia's bloomberg.com blockbuster February earnings results are luring investors back to the commodity-rich market as traders position for renewed demand. The UAE urged residents to return to normal life as missiles shook its haven reputation, though holidaymakers continue canceling trips. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves bloomberg.com discussed the economy and Iran war following her Spring Statement budget outlook.