Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Market Rallies Amidst Inflation Data and Strong Earnings

U.S. stocks climbed higher as the Nasdaq led the charge on robust earnings reports from companies like BlackRock and Morgan Stanley. BlackRock shares after the asset manager announced profits rose 20% year-over-year, with assets under management surpassing $15 trillion. BNY Mellon also following a profit increase, reporting net income of $1.7 billion for the second quarter. Gold prices and found support after U.S. inflation data came in lower than anticipated, easing concerns about interest rate policy. The producer-price index declined by 0.3% in June, a softer reading than the 0.6% increase seen in May.

Geopolitical Tensions and Commodity Markets

Crude oil futures gained ground as the U.S. reinstated a blockade of ships in and out of Iranian ports. This development, coupled with a potential end to China's crude buying pause, raises concerns for global oil supply, particularly as key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz face renewed disruptions. Oil traders are warning the market is as stockpiles diminish. U.S. natural gas futures, however, edged lower due to maintenance at LNG terminals, partially offsetting demand for summer cooling.

Corporate Dealmaking and Labor Concerns

Fintech company Stripe, in partnership with private-equity firm Advent, has offered to buy PayPal for approximately $53 billion. In the brewing industry, Brew Dog co-founder James Watt is to buy back the beer company, aiming to restore ownership stakes for "equity punks." Meanwhile, labor disputes emerged in the automotive sector, with Hyundai workers in South Korea over concerns about job security related to humanoid robots.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Corporate Performance

Goldman Sachs' former general counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, testified in a closed-door hearing regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The ongoing investigations into Epstein's ties continue to draw attention, with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates reportedly no longer donating to the Gates Foundation together due to Buffett's "distasteful" comments about Epstein. In the tech sector, IBM's stock tumbled sharply after the company previewed disappointing quarterly results, raising questions about the broader health of software and tech consulting companies. SpaceX's bonds are their issue price, heading towards junk bond status.

Infrastructure and Environmental Disruptions

Wildfire smoke from Ontario, significantly impacting air quality in Toronto and New York City due to a heat dome. This environmental issue comes as Newark's airport faces potential disruptions to summer air travel, with controller staffing set to drop by one-fifth by the end of the month.