Public Markets 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 13, 2026, 6:33 AM ET
Global Market Turmoil
Oil prices held above $100 wsj.com as markets brace for extended Middle East conflict, while the dollar strengthened wsj.com to its highest level in three months as investors seek safe-haven assets. The greenback's advance pushed the euro to its lowest level bloomberg.com since August, as emerging market stocks headed for a second weekly drop bloomberg.com with Brent oil remaining elevated. European stocks extended losses bloomberg.com for a second consecutive week as geopolitical tensions fuel inflation concerns amid the deepening Iran conflict, while South African stocks slumped 10% bloomberg.com from their February peak as investors pull away from overheated markets.
Regional Market Shifts
Hong Kong's exchange proposed easing listing rules wsj.com to strengthen its appeal as an IPO venue, even as regulators move to name and shame ft.com lawyers and auditors for sloppy IPO work amid an influx of Chinese companies seeking funding. In India's debt markets, Shapoorji Pallonji Group plans to raise bloomberg.com up to $1 billion through its first dollar bond sale to refinance local-currency debt maturing in April, while the National Stock Exchange prepares for its IPO bloomberg.com that will allow thousands of shareholders to sell stock. Meanwhile, JPMorgan will lease bloomberg.com a West Kowloon office tower from Sun Hung Kai, marking one of Hong Kong's largest leasing deals amid a commercial property downturn.
Sector & Corporate Impacts
The Iran conflict threatens an abrupt end bloomberg.com to the UAE's real estate bond bonanza, with investors nursing losses as the war hammers their bonds and threatens to stall a borrowing binge. German chemical companies warn of supply-chain disruptions wsj.com from the Middle East war, with risks spreading beyond oil and natural gas. In private credit markets, bank stocks face pressure wsj.com as some investors cash out of private-credit funds, potentially leaving banks more exposed. Berkeley Group lowered its guidance bloomberg.com after warning the Middle East conflict was "weighing heavily on risk sentiment," while Fintech firm Airwallex earmarks $1.1 billion wsj.com for European expansion across the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands and UAE.