Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: July 10, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Oil and Commodities

Oil futures softened slightly as investors awaited the New York listing of SK Hynix, though prices remained supported by lingering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that while oil demand recovery is underway, consumption is projected to fall by 1 million barrels a day this year, with refineries in the Gulf and Russia facing disruptions from ongoing conflicts . The IEA also warned of potential petrol and diesel supply crunches due to these refinery issues and sustained. Gold futures as fears of a major escalation in the Middle East eased, while copper headed for its second weekly gain as traders looked past the Iran flare-up. Iron ore was on track for its biggest weekly gain since early May due to a looming strike at BHP Group’s Port Hedland terminal. Corn futures steadied ahead of a key US supply report as weather-related risks eased.

Global Markets and Economic Trends

European technology stocks ahead of SK Hynix’s US listing, while Nasdaq futures also moved lower . The euro as markets awaited more clarity on US-Iran tensions, which boosted European Central Bank rate-hike bets, though the currency was unlikely to see significant further gains . Carry trades, a strategy in the $9.5 trillion-per-day currency market, are experiencing their most compelling backdrop in over two decades, according to Goldman Sachs. South Africa’s economy is nearing an upswing as it addresses long-standing bottlenecks, Standard Bank Group said. In Asia, Japan’s largest public pension fund will likely bypass Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama’s call to boost domestic investment due to strict asset allocation rules. However, Finance Minister Katayama’s call for investors to shift from foreign to domestic assets buoyed the yen, bonds, and stocks.

Corporate Deals and Investments

Apollo Global Management agreed to buy a minority stake in Bayer’s long-acting reversible contraceptives business for $3.4 billion. French billionaire Xavier Niel became Vodafone’s top shareholder after his Vega entity acquired a £4.4 billion stake from. Indian power giant NTPC Ltd. is seeking overseas uranium assets to secure fuel for its planned nuclear power capacity expansion. Tanzanian tycoon Mohammed Dewji is investing in graphite mining and luxury tourism to capitalize on the demand for minerals used in electric-vehicle batteries. Societe Generale SA is arranging a syndicated loan for a Cameroonian sugar mill project that will compete with a facility controlled by the Castel family. HSBC is seeking buyers for risky Hong Kong property loans as part of its overhaul of the retail lender.

Technology, AI, and Emerging Sectors

SK Hynix Inc.’s record US debut is paving the way for a new wave of leveraged exchange-traded funds tied to the memory giant's shares . These products bring popular bets that have amplified volatility in South Korea to Wall Street. The demand for chips and memory has been driven by the AI trade, leading to booming retail participation in stock markets. Regulators are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to cut red tape. US companies have been supplying AI services to subsidiaries of Chinese tech giants, even those with blacklisted groups. Tencent is leading a deal to unwind Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of AI agent startup Locus Robotics, with Tencent set to become the largest shareholder after Beijing ordered the reversal.

Other Markets and Trends

Vanguard Asset Management is buying inflation-protected bonds due to unusual oil market indicators that suggest a risk of persistent US inflation. Mini Max, a Chinese artificial-intelligence company, saw its shares drop after disclosing plans to raise $2 billion through a share placement and convertible-bond offering. UK pharmacies are reporting high demand for weight-loss pills, which is expected to impact supermarkets as users. The luxury property market in London, specifically Montpelier Square, has seen prices tumble from a decade ago as foreign buyers seek opportunities elsewhere. A probe by the UK’s Financial Reporting Council is scrutinizing allegations of financial misreporting at the Battersea.