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17 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 5:38 AM ET

Equities

Stock futures edged higher early Wednesday as Asian markets climbed on artificial-intelligence enthusiasm. European indexes were mostly higher, lifted by financials and technology, though London’s FTSE 100 fell as miners retreated. Adyen shares surged more than 9% after the payments processor reported first-half earnings growth and accelerating revenues. CK Hutchison posted a sharp profit jump in the first half, driven by hefty gains from asset disposals by the Hong Kong conglomerate. Antofagasta cut its full-year production guidance after heavy rain in Chile forced a temporary mine closure, sending mining stocks lower.

Fixed Income

The US government is about to sell 30-year bonds at the highest interest rate in a quarter of a century after a historic selloff, stirring speculation about further borrowing shifts. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s central bank widened access to Open Market Operations, allowing individuals and non-bank institutions to participate for the first time.

Commodities

Oil futures fell as investors assessed a weaker demand outlook and stalled talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Gold gained after US inflation data came in line with expectations, reinforcing bets that the Federal Reserve will keep rates on hold in September.

Freight & Shipping

Maersk chief called for a major investment push to ease trade strains as port bottlenecks boost freight rates and profits. Hapag-Lloyd earnings rebounded in the second quarter, driven by strong Asian exports and US demand. The trucking industry is booming again, but drivers remain unhappy about working conditions, a topic explored in a recent podcast.

Energy

Gulf oil giants are spending billions to build alternative routes around the Strait of Hormuz, recognizing that sole reliance on the chokepoint is no longer tenable. Orsted reported that all projects remain on schedule despite second-quarter profit being hit by impairments and higher long-dated US interest rates.

Regulation

South Korea ordered new investors to take mandatory classes after a single-stock trading frenzy, tightening curbs on leveraged ETFs introduced less than three months ago.