Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: May 27, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

Energy & Commodities

Oil prices advanced following a 5% drop on Wednesday as US forces launched fresh strikes against Iranian military targets, while conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran kept markets volatile about potential Hormuz Strait negotiations. Meanwhile, Chinese coal production faces short-term disruptions after the Shanxi disaster, raising costs for steelmakers, power plants and chemicals manufacturers across the country. In gold markets, the precious metal extended losses for a second day as fresh US airstrikes on Iranian military bases derailed peace talk hopes, keeping inflation risks elevated. Hong Kong meanwhile pushes for gold dominance in Asia with plans to launch a new gold-clearing system Geopolitical Risk & Fixed Income

The European Central Bank warned markets are underestimating geopolitical and fiscal risks, noting that the orderly market response to the Middle East conflict reflected complacency amid increased economic uncertainty. In Japan, currency traders await intervention data as the yen hovers near 160 per dollar, while Nomura analysts question near-term BOJ rate hikes despite market consensus expecting increases in June or July. Southeast Asian economies shift to short-term debt as Indonesia and Thailand sell more bills to cope with US-Iran war stress, draining liquidity from broader markets. US bonds, meanwhile, attract bearish bets as the return to pre-war calm is seen as potentially short-lived.

Asian Equities & Corporate Developments

Asian equities eased from record highs as mixed signals from the US and Iran on prospects for a deal to end the war roiled investor sentiment. China's green bond offering of up to $885 million in Hong Kong marks a return to international ESG markets after a year away, while the country's oil imports are set to drop to pandemic-era lows as the Iran war reveals fading demand. In the auto sector, GM, Ford and Toyota plan for stagnant sales as one million new-car buyers exit the market, while chip stocks continue their rally, now valued at $5.7 trillion as AI demand surges. Bank of Montreal and Canadian rivals increased dividends following earnings growth, kicking off results season for the country's largest lenders.

Market Strategy & Sector Moves

The chip rally continues unabated with Marvell Technology reporting 28% revenue growth in its latest quarter, though profits slimmed due to acquisition costs. Salesforce posted higher first-quarter profits of $2.11 billion as it pushes AI tools to drive growth, while HP cut its full-year outlook despite improved second-quarter results. In nuclear power, Newcleo prepares for SPAC listing with a $2.4 billion valuation amid a wave of nuclear companies going public to serve AI's energy needs. Data center projects in Ohio face incentive pause after the governor halted tax credits while studying economic impacts, with tech companies reassessing expansion plans.