Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 11:37 PM ET

Equities

Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.2% in early trade, led by electronics and metals stocks, as weak U.S. jobs data diminished prospects for Fed rate increases. Treasury Wine shares surged to an eight-month high after the Australian vintner announced an A$558.4 million post-tax writedown to tackle excess U.S. supply. Westpac shares fell as the lender reported a drop in mortgage loan applications, signaling a worsening housing slump. DatVietVAC Group Holdings, producer of top-rated Vietnamese TV programs, is pursuing an IPO to replicate the South Korean entertainment playbook. China is betting on AI stocks as part of a strategy to race against the U.S. for chip and tech dominance, breaking from reliance on subsidies.

Fixed Income

JGBs edged lower in early Tokyo trade amid a potentially quicker pace of BOJ rate increases, after the Summary of Opinions from the July 30-31 meeting. Private credit is under growing strain, with default rates hitting recent highs and internal loan reviews pointing to tougher times ahead, according to a WSJ analysis.

Currencies

Asian currencies weakened against the dollar ahead of U.S. CPI data due Wednesday. The Aussie-Yen is set to approach a three-decade high as the Reserve Bank of Australia’s hawkish stance bolsters the Australian dollar. India’s FX reserves climbed for five straight weeks, the longest run since April 2025, toward a record on foreign inflows.

Commodities

Gold held steady in the Asian session; the U.S. July payrolls report encouraged a softer labor-market path, weighing on the dollar. Gold also steadied above $4,300 an ounce after a surprise contraction in the U.S. jobs market allayed rate-hike concerns. Oil prices climbed as hopes faded for a breakthrough on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Oman remaining short of a deal. Oil extended gains as Houthi militants claimed an attack on a Saudi refinery near the Red Sea. Australia widened orders on Chinese investors in a rare earths firm, telling two parties they need government approval before selling holdings. Scandium miner Sunrise Energy Metals shares soared after securing $400 million in long-term debt financing from the U.S. Department of War. Australian wheat crop prospects are turning more optimistic, buffering an increasingly grim global supply outlook.

Market Structure

HFTs are shunning India’s closing auction due to SEBI short-selling hurdles, with the new method of setting official closing prices drawing complaints from firms that keep the $5.2 trillion market humming.