Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Public Markets Briefing

Technology & Infrastructure

Nokia shares surged 90% this year as the company successfully pivots to become a significant infrastructure supplier, particularly for the burgeoning AI data center market. Meanwhile, private equity firms are facing a nine-year backlog in exiting software holdings, with investor concerns surrounding artificial intelligence weighing on these efforts AI worries weigh. In a notable development, SK Hynix Inc.’s planned $28 billion U.S. listing is reportedly multiple times oversubscribed ahead of its pricing SK Hynix listing oversubscribed. The digital asset space is also seeing action, with discussions around potential regulatory impacts on innovation and saver outcomes in retail investment AI regulation hampers.

Commodities & Energy

Gold futures settled 0.24% lower at $4145.30, snapping a four-session winning streak for the precious metal. Silver also saw a decline, falling 1.6%. This movement occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran's strikes on ships threaten oil flow, testing recent cease-fire efforts and posing risks to shipping companies. In related energy news, oil futures remain volatile amid geopolitical concerns. Separately, BB Energy has reached a deal with South Sudan to unblock oil sales, easing a $142 million legal dispute and allowing for the release of three oil cargoes South Sudan oil deal.

Financial Services & Debt

Lenders to Getty Images Holdings Inc. are organizing in response to renewed concerns about the company’s “unsustainable” debt levels, particularly after the photo archive business scrapped a planned merger with Shutterstock Inc. Getty lenders organize. In the automotive sector, Hertz is receiving support from an unlikely source: short sellers, with convertible bonds expected to keep the rental car company out of immediate financial distress Hertz gets short seller help. Brazil's Treasury has indicated it possesses both the patience and the financial capacity to address stress within the nation's 2.3-trillion-real ($447 inflation-linked bond market Brazil eases bond stress.

Market Trends & Regulation

High-spending online gamblers in the UK will soon face mandatory financial checks, with individuals depositing over £1,000 daily to be assessed for vulnerability UK gamblers face checks. Top banking watchdogs have issued stark warnings regarding the potential for AI-driven cyber attacks, noting that IT weaknesses could be exploited rapidly by advanced models AI cyber attack warning. Separately, Disney accuses US regulator of overreach in an FCC investigation into the talk show ‘The View’, claiming it could violate the First Amendment.

Global Markets & Politics

Cuba has approved significant market reforms, a move long overdue, though its impact on political freedom remains to be seen, drawing parallels with economic liberalization in China and Vietnam Cuba approves reforms. In a significant shift in trade policy, the United States is actively changing global trade rules in its favor, a doctrine that suggests a departure from previous approaches US changes trade rules. Meanwhile, SpaceX's valuation prediction soars, with one analyst forecasting a rise above $10 trillion. The Trump administration's actions are also noted, including a potential reversal of the F-35 ban for Turkey and efforts to curtail gun violence prevention reports Trump signals F-35 reversal.