Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: July 13, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Geopolitical Tensions and Market Reactions

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East as investors moved into a "risk-off" mode, while U.S. Treasury yields edged higher but remained off their day's peaks. The escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran for base metals, leading to their decline. The yen weakened on reports that Japan has no plans to alter its Government Pension Investment Fund allocation. European stocks remained muted as gains in the energy sector, lifted by higher oil prices, offset declines in technology shares. In London, FTSE 100 futures and the pound fell as tensions with Iran ramped up. The euro zone's economic outlook was cut by economists, with resumed Middle East hostilities weighing on the region. India's trade deficit widened in June, with uncertainty over the U.S.-Iran conflict and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz clouding the outlook for global supply chains. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. will sell offshore crude oil for collection outside the Strait of Hormuz at levels indexed to the Dubai benchmark. South Africa plans to increase its strategic oil reserves for the first time since the apartheid era, adding to measures across the continent to mitigate supply shocks.

Technology Sector Dynamics and Investments

Meta is lifting the cost of its Louisiana data center project to over $50 billion, scaling up its compute capacity to 5 gigawatts. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported quarterly sales surged 36%, meeting expectations and signaling intact global demand for AI hardware. Investors are flocking back to Apple Inc. as nervousness about artificial intelligence spending weighs on chipmakers and cloud-computing giants, fueling a $600 billion rally. Meanwhile, nearly 200 economists signed a letter calling for policymakers to do more to understand and respond to potential AI disruptions. The European Commission is considering changing rules across the 27-nation bloc, proposing gradual access to social media for different age groups in response to concerns over child safety online. Intellectus, a European AI chip startup, has secured $27 million in funding.

Corporate Dealmaking and Financial Markets

Saudi Arabia’s Nour Net is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and HSBC Holdings Plc on a potential initial public offering, adding to a pipeline of Gulf listings. Deutsche Bank AG is expanding its private banking business in Dubai with hires from Standard Chartered Plc. De Beers plans to halt production at its South African diamond mine for two years, as the company wrestles with a deep industry crisis, with weak prices weighing on sales. Processors &, a cooking oil manufacturer, is planning an initial public offering in Pakistan this month to finance plant expansion. Bridgepoint Group is acquiring a majority stake in UMag Solutions ApS, a Danish defense technology company. Nippon Paint has offered €7.5bn for Akzo Nobel's decorative coatings business.

Economic Outlook and Regulatory Landscape

Chile's government has a window to sell debt abroad as sovereign spreads hover near two-decade lows, with investors shrugging off Middle East escalation and domestic risks. German financial watchdog BaFin said financial companies that engaged in controversial dividend tax strategies are facing related legal and fiscal liabilities of as much €7.01 billion, potentially costing firms €7 billion. Citigroup Inc. strategists believe the UK stock market is defensive and tilted to commodities, making it less appealing as geopolitical tensions abate, leading to a double-downgrade for UK stocks. Anglo American is looking to sell its diamond business as competition from lab-grown stones intensifies to halt output at a South African mine. The legal sector regulator in England and Wales has reportedly "lost its way," according to a review following several high-profile law firm collapses.