Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 11:36 PM ET

Public Markets

Equities

Blockbuster earnings from the largest U.S. companies sent major indexes to fresh records, easing concerns around AI spending and inflation. The relief rally was mirrored in Asia, where Korea’s market volatility eased sharply after a historic selloff flushed out leveraged positions and regulatory curbs on risky derivatives took effect. Meanwhile, SpaceX saw its market value swing by $300 billion in the wake of the biggest IPO ever, putting Elon Musk back into execution mode after the highflying promises of the listing. In China, the bonanza of AI listings has been dominated by CICC, which emerged as the key financier behind Beijing’s push to rival the U.S. in the technology race.

Fixed Income & Commodities

China’s inflation cooled more than expected in July, with factory-gate pressures easing for the first time since the Iran war erupted in late February, according to separate data that also showed slower consumer price growth. The softer inflation figures give Beijing more room to ease policy amid an uneven recovery. Across the energy complex, Indonesia — one of the world’s biggest coal producers — is battling blackouts after price caps discouraged local supply, forcing the government to scramble for power. Cuba is turning to solar energy with Chinese assistance as oil shortages deepen, a move that has helped the island weather increased U.S. pressure. Oil markets remain on edge as Iran demanded a full U.S. withdrawal from the region to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE reported a missile attack on one of its ships.