Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Commodities and Currencies React to Inflation and Geopolitics

U.S. diesel prices again, marking a 33% increase since the start of the Iran war, driven by renewed Persian Gulf fighting and reduced refinery capacity. Oil prices, however, with tensions between the U.S. and Iran remaining high. Total Energies adjusted production from the Middle East conflict, now expecting a milder second-quarter impact. The dollar after softer-than-expected U.S. wholesale inflation data, which added to signs of easing price pressures. Gold prices, with New York futures falling 0.5% to $4,031.60 a troy ounce.

Tech Stocks Face Volatility Amid Global Scrutiny

U.S. stock futures, as memory chip stocks experienced significant fluctuations in Asian markets. Trading was briefly suspended on the Korea Exchange after shares of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. In response to market volatility, South Korea of single-stock leveraged ETFs. Europe, meanwhile from American and Chinese technology dominance, particularly in artificial intelligence. Australia is also moving to on AI data centers and protect creator rights for AI training data.

M&A Activity and Corporate Investment Trends

ABB agreed to acquire UK engineering group Rotork for £4.1 billion, adding to a trend of foreign buyers showing interest in London-listed companies. Uber struck €13 to acquire Delivery Hero, with the German food delivery group spinning off its Turkish and some European operations. KKR & Co. and Energy Capital Partners for DCC Plc to over £5.7 billion ($7.6 . In corporate investment, TSMC plans to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. production, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion and raising its revenue forecasts. PwC and a partner for audit failings related to Babcock. HSBC Holdings Plc. upgraded Indian, citing receding earnings risks from oil prices and strong domestic consumption.