Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

Energy & Commodities

Oil futures saw a slight decline in early Asian trade as mixed signals permeated the market. Meanwhile, gold struggled to sustain its rebound despite softer-than-expected U.S. wholesale price data, with analysts suggesting the path forward for gold prices may not be straightforward.

Asian Markets

Asian memory-chip stocks experienced a rise, buoyed by a positive outlook from Sandisk Corp. that enhanced confidence in the long-term advantages of the artificial intelligence boom. In China, the central bank injected liquidity through overnight reverse repos, a move that marked its first such operation in the middle of a month, aiming to support the financial system. The PBOC conducted this liquidity injection on Friday.

Automotive & Technology

Chinese car exports are flooding global markets, creating a strain on the shipping industry as domestic demand falters. The surge in Chinese car exports is testing the capacity of global logistics. In the autonomous driving sector, Pony AI Inc. announced plans to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis across Europe in collaboration with Uber Technologies Inc., intensifying the competition for commercializing autonomous mobility.

Global Trade & Tariffs

The United States is set to impose tariffs of up to 100% on unmanned aircraft and their components, a move targeting China's drone technology. Trump imposes tariffs signal a significant escalation in trade tensions.

Currency Markets

The Indian rupee has demonstrated greater stability compared to the Indonesian rupiah and the Philippine peso, a factor that may encourage increased foreign investment. Meanwhile, the yen has consolidated its position against other major currencies, with potential upside from the prospect of a Bank of Japan interest rate increase.

Australian Markets

The ASX stock has lost its bullish rating from UBS, which downgraded it to neutral following a recent reassessment of its valuation.

Chinese Tech Valuations

Chinese tech valuations are experiencing a surge, with the Star 50 index gaining 29% this year, supported by Beijing's policies. This growth is occurring even as valuations reach multiples higher than their U.S. counterparts, driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence frenzy.

Regulatory & Legal News

In Washington State, a preliminary injunction has barred the prediction market Kalshi from allowing residents to bet on most of its offerings. Separately, a Justice Department report found that inmates in two California state-run women's prisons experienced routine rights violations, though state officials maintain that reforms are already in place. The report detailed sexual abuse in California prisons.

International Relations

An American missionary pilot, Kevin Rideout, who was kidnapped in Niger last fall, has reportedly been released from captivity. The White House had prioritized his release.