Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 5:31 AM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil prices held above $100 wsj.com per barrel as Middle East tensions persist, with European natural gas open interest dropping bloomberg.com to a five-month low amid intense price swings. The conflict in Iran continues to reshape global energy flows, with China potentially losing bloomberg.com a crucial oil supply source while Algeria's economy benefits from bloomberg.com elevated crude prices. Meanwhile, Germany's chemical industry warns of wsj.com supply chain disruptions extending beyond energy, with some companies dialing down bloomberg.com output as ripple effects begin to impact Europe's largest economy.
Asia Markets
Hong Kong's stock exchange proposes easing wsj.com listing rules to strengthen its appeal as an IPO venue, even as the city's commercial real estate sector sees JPMorgan bloomberg.com lease a West Kowloon office tower in one of the largest deals amid a prolonged downturn. In India, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group plans a $1 billion bloomberg.com dollar bond debut to refinance local-currency debt, while the National Stock Exchange prepares an IPO bloomberg.com that could allow thousands of shareholders to sell stock. Across the region, China's yuan strengthens for a 15th bloomberg.com consecutive week in a record weekly gaining streak, contrasting with Indian stocks near a technical breach bloomberg.com as oil price risks intensify.
Fintech & Financial Services
Australia's Airwallex earmarks $1.1 billion wsj.com for European expansion, targeting clients with global bases across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UAE, while the U.S. consumer shows resilience ft.com despite expensive oil prices. The divergent economic performances underscore regional contrasts in navigating global energy shocks and inflationary pressures.
Geopolitical Developments
Serbia purchases Chinese bloomberg.com supersonic, air-to-surface missiles as part of $17 billion in defense upgrades against alleged NATO threats, while U.S. President Trump faces criticism nytimes.com for his approach to the Iran conflict. The geopolitical tensions continue to influence markets, with the euro hitting its lowest bloomberg.com level versus the dollar since August amid broader dollar gains.
Economic Outlook
Romanian inflation eased as expected bloomberg.com but faces renewed threats from surging global energy prices that could prevent the central bank from easing monetary policy soon. Meanwhile, Thailand's economic growth risks being halved bloomberg.com if the Middle East conflict persists for three months, with the nation facing a triple hit from weaker tourism, softer exports, and higher energy prices. The FTSE 100 remains steady bloomberg.com while the pound falls ahead of GDP data release, suggesting cautious positioning in the face of geopolitical uncertainty.
Corporate Developments
London's Berkeley Group warned its profit bloomberg.com guidance remains intact despite the Middle East conflict "weighing heavily on risk sentiment," while Eurasian Resources Group urges Congo bloomberg.com to stop illegal mining activities on one of its copper licenses following a deadly landslide. Vincorion approaches a $1 billion wsj.com market cap under its IPO price of 17 euros per share, with the German company planning to offer up to 345 million euros in shares starting March 16. Japan, meanwhile, will sell oil bloomberg.com from national reserves at pre-Iran war prices according to its trade minister, while foreign investors threaten legal action bloomberg.com over a Vietnamese power dispute.