Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: May 15, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Energy & Utilities

Oil futures settled higher on inventory worries as prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about global supply, while Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. continues loading LNG onto tankers masking their location in the Persian Gulf amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Next Era Energy in talks to acquire Dominion in a mostly stock deal that could create a $400 billion utility giant, as companies seek to address growing demand for power from data centers amid the AI boom. Oil prices rose after Trump-Xi summit failed to yield clear breakthroughs on Iran war concerns, with hopes for an end to the conflict fading after President Trump couldn't secure China's commitment to help reopen the critical waterway.

Financial Markets & Capital Raising

Global bonds tumbled on inflation fears as the 30-year Treasury yield closed at its highest level since 2007, while the 10-year Treasury climbed to nearly 4.6%, its highest level in more than a year. Forbright filed for an IPO targeting the middle market and digital banking, showing growing deposits, while Erock, a power systems maker for data centers, filed for a US IPO disclosing increasing revenue and widening losses. Berkshire Hathaway sold $8 billion of Chevron shares as the oil giant's stock reached record highs, while amassing a $2.6 billion stake in Delta Airlines under new CEO Abel, signaling renewed interest in the airline sector after exiting positions in Amazon, Mastercard, Visa and United Health.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Shifts

GIC and Itausa lead $1 billion injection in Aegea, diluting Equipav as the Brazilian water company prepares for potential acquisitions. Mercedes-Benz CEO says carmaker willing to enter defense production as German manufacturing seeks to recast itself as a major player in the West's defense arsenal. OpenAI bought Weights.gg, a social network for creating and sharing artificial intelligence algorithms, expanding its AI capabilities. U.S. federal prosecutors scrutinize BlackRock private credit fund TCP Capital, examining valuation practices at Wall Street's largest asset manager.

Geopolitical & Economic Impacts

Argentina's YPF seeks incentives for a $25 billion oil project, the largest investment since President Javier Milei took office, as the country seeks to boost energy production. The U.S. cuts off Cuba's oil supply, plunging the island into an acute energy crisis, while officials eye Venezuela playbook amid stepped-up surveillance flights and a visit from the CIA director. Hedge funds boosted copper wagers to a five-month high as prices reached fresh record highs, reflecting bullish sentiment on industrial metals despite broader market volatility.

Technology & Trade Developments

Trump announced China will purchase 200 planes from Boeing, a major win for the U.S. manufacturer that has lost ground to Airbus in one of the world's largest aviation markets. Anthropic denied secondary share ownership, rattling users of platforms that bring investing in hot private companies to the masses. Intel, Taiwan and South Korea emerge as winners in the global market shift driven by AI and oil, while the House passed ethanol bill allowing year-round sale, though its fate remains uncertain in the Senate.