Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Global Equities & Markets

U.S. equity futures fell 0.5% in pre-market trading as weakness in chip stocks resumed, a trend that has seen AI rally participants separating into distinct winners and losers this week. Elsewhere, the prediction market Kalshi is partnering with the World Cup in a bid to boost betting volumes ahead of a potential IPO. Ryanair has scrapped its fee for parents to sit with their children, reversing course after a British regulator began an investigation into the legality of the charges.

Aerospace & Defense

Boeing Co. secured a $3.62 billion jet order from China Southern Airlines, a significant win for the U.S. manufacturer which has seen its orders from Asia’s largest aviation market dwindle. Meanwhile, a refinery in Ulsan, South Korea, is grappling with recalibrating its operations to reduce reliance on Middle Eastern oil following an incident involving Iran and a cargo ship. Saudi Arabia has restarted crude loadings at a major Gulf terminal after a nearly four-month halt, with two supertankers beginning to load on Thursday.

Energy & Commodities

Europe continues to grapple with a severe heatwave, with parts of Spain and France seeing slight relief, but the extreme temperatures are slowly shifting eastward. This has prompted some politicians to focus on immediate solutions like air-conditioning rather than long-term climate action. In Texas, solar and battery power are poised to challenge gas for dominance in electricity generation, though fossil fuels still hold a majority.

Fixed Income & Sovereign Debt

Lebanon’s bond rally, which had seen a 400% surge, is now fading as investors anticipate delays in debt restructuring and lower recovery rates. Venezuela is also facing pressure to restructure its debt quickly after two devastating earthquakes, though some bondholders express concern over the pace. Nigeria has accessed the first tranche of a $5 billion swap with a UAE bank, proceeding with a transaction that has drawn scrutiny for its opacity. Egypt has eased its path towards unlocking approximately $1.6 billion in IMF funding by satisfying targets through state-asset sales.

Corporate Dealmaking & Strategy

Unilever is reportedly exploring a bid for supplement maker Thorne, a deal that could be valued at $4 billion, as the consumer goods giant aims to bolster its health and wellness offerings. Volkswagen is undertaking a deep cost-cutting overhaul, with reports suggesting it may cut up to 100,000 jobs as part of its restructuring plans. Metinvest Holding is seeking new investors for a €3 billion ($3.4 steel plant project in Italy, aiming to reduce its own financial commitment.

Financial Regulation & Investigations

Brussels has launched an antitrust probe into Sanofi, examining whether the French drugmaker implemented a misleading campaign against a rival flu vaccine producer. Germany's financial regulator is investigating Zalando concerning disclosure requirements for a €1.1 billion deal linked to the acquisition of About You. The UK government is planning to subsidize bank loans for green home improvements, backing as much as 20% of loan costs for installations. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a Rwandan gold refinery, accusing it of smuggling minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other Markets & Trends

Wise shares experienced a significant rise on the Stoxx 600 Index following a profit beat and the announcement of a $500 million buyback program. The actuarial value of a summer holiday is now being cited as a potential threat to retirement savings. Increased inheritance tax rates on UK pensions are driving a surge in demand for annuities, making regular income more attractive. Consultants are grappling with a shift away from hourly billing models as artificial intelligence threatens to make the billable hour obsolete.