Public Markets 3 Hours

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 2:37 AM ET

Energy & Commodities

Oil futures slipped 1.3% in early Asian trade as OPEC+ signaled output increases. Gold held steady near $2,340/oz despite a weakening dollar. European companies are counting the costs of extreme heat, with businesses flagging effects of drought and wildfires on a record share of earnings calls in recent weeks.

Fixed Income

JGBs extended their rally, tracking overnight Treasury gains as traders priced in a September rate cut. China revised the release time for its July economic data to 3 p.m. Monday, breaking with recent practice and potentially affecting fixed-income market positioning.

Equities

Harvey Nichols deal hints at department stores' hidden potential as services won't restore the golden age but could give young shoppers a reason to return. UK housebuilders are set to see profits fall 12% this year as developers resort to bulk sales to shift homes in a sluggish market. BlackBerry is making a tech comeback a decade after its handsets disappeared, with the company's future now resting on car and security software.

Commodities & Metals

Miner Ferrexpo is caught up in a dispute between an oligarch and Kyiv, with the iron ore group trying to raise cash while a sanctions-hit shareholder fights to maintain his stake. The company appears near insolvency as the conflict escalates.

Asia Pacific

Hong Kong airport passenger traffic jumped 11.7% on year in the first half as the Asian financial hub hosted events and attracted more visitors. China is accelerating the establishment of rules governing recycling and reuse of wind and solar equipment, aiming to set up a closed-loop system for industry waste before 2030.

Commodities

World's largest carmakers are seeking to avert a motor oil crisis as a shortage of Group III base oils prompts auto manufacturers to turn to new blends. The supply crunch has sent shockwaves through the automotive supply chain.

Geopolitics

Europe is not ready for American weed as the race to go global intensifies in the cannabis sector. India faces growing concerns about online harassment of women who joined protests, with widespread abuse and police visits highlighting added risks for activists in patriarchal society. Italy is seeing an African pastor fill the void left by scarce priests in rural areas, as immigrants ease labor shortages across multiple sectors including agriculture and manufacturing.