Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 5:36 PM ET

U.S. Stocks

U.S. stocks slid as negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked, with major indexes slipping in afternoon trading amid rising geopolitical tensions. The broader market decline was compounded by a dip in sentiment as oil prices jumped, pressuring equities ahead of key inflation data. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both finished lower as traders weighed the impact of higher energy costs on corporate margins and consumer spending.

Fixed Income

U.S. Treasuries saw 30-year yields hold near multi-decade peaks as a shift in the buyer base toward value-oriented mutual funds and households keeps pressure on prices, according to Barclays Plc. Record short bets against global bonds by trend-chasing commodity trading advisors are raising the stakes for this week’s US inflation reports, with any upside surprise potentially triggering a sharp squeeze. The SEC is considering direct control of a controversial market-tracking database after Citadel Securities won a lawsuit over its funding structure.

Energy & Commodities

Oil futures rose sharply as the US projects supply disruptions from the Iran conflict will reach about 600,000 barrels per day through 2027, crimping shipments via critical chokepoints. European gas prices surged close to Iran war highs as heatwaves boost cooling demand, with Wednesday’s solar eclipse expected to further fuel gas-fired power generation. U.S. natural gas futures gave back some of the prior day’s gains as soft LNG demand and comfortable storage levels cap rallies despite high power-sector demand. Gold settled 0.5% higher for a third consecutive session, while silver fell 0.5%, snapping a two-day winning streak. Russia’s crude oil exports tumbled to their lowest since May as a brief lull in drone strikes allowed refiners to boost domestic runs, likely diverting crude away from export markets.

Currencies & Trade

The yen gave back gains from earlier intervention, with the currency weakening as traders question the effectiveness of Japan’s market operations. The US intervention in foreign bond markets highlights the growing challenges of managing currency volatility amid diverging monetary policies. A strong US dollar contributed to OMERS returning 4.8% in the first half of the year, gaining C$6.9 billion from its currency exposure and rising stock markets.

Corporate Earnings & Strategy

Nvidia continues to flex its financial muscle, with commitments to backstop the AI buildout swelling as reports surface of a potential $250 billion data center project for OpenAI in Ohio. Cava posted a profit of $23 million as same-store sales rose 9%, beating expectations for the Mediterranean fast-casual chain. Super Micro Computer reported quarterly profit surged to $1.17 billion from $195.2 million a year ago, with sales nearly doubling as AI server demand accelerates. CoreWeave reported a new revenue high of $2.6 billion with a mounting order book of $104 billion, signaling strong cloud computing demand despite infrastructure challenges. On Holding tempered its outlook, now expecting sales to grow in the low-20% range after deliberately stymieing wholesale channel growth in the second quarter.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Nasdaq announced it will acquire Leve L Markets, an off-exchange equity execution venue, expanding its role in how liquidity is connected and capital is formed. Curaleaf plans a $272 million hostile takeover bid for rival Aurora Cannabis after the Canadian company’s board repeatedly refused to negotiate. The US Justice Department opened an in-depth antitrust review of Kone Oyj’s €29.4 billion purchase of TK Elevator, a deal that would create the world’s largest elevator manufacturer.

Auto & Transport

General Motors set up a $4.5 billion safety net to avoid parts shortages, signaling ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities in the auto industry. Hawaii tapped the municipal bond market to finance completion of the first US driverless rail line, with the capital city betting on light-rail as a new transportation alternative. Atlanta’s airport is coming to market with a $1.1 billion municipal bond sale, boosting issuance in the lagging airport sector. Air Baltic outlined a turnaround plan involving a smaller fleet and a debt-for-equity swap to cut costs and restructure its finances.

Tech, Media & Telecom

Target hired its first chief AI officer as the retailer pushes to recover from sluggish performance, bringing on two executives focused on AI and user experience. A longtime OpenAI executive, former COO Brad Lightcap, is stepping down to “start something new,” marking another leadership change at the AI company. Uber exited its stake in Serve Robotics as the two companies clash over how to deploy delivery robots, a setback in Uber’s push to facilitate autonomous delivery. Anson Funds is pushing Lionsgate to put itself up for sale, adding pressure on the independent film and TV production company to pursue a deal. Texas power demand forecasts were trimmed after the state imposed a pause on new data center projects, easing expectations for electricity growth.

Financial Services & Investment

Blue Owl Capital sold $750 million of high-grade debt, up from initial plans of $500 million, after strong investor demand to pay down credit lines. Citadel Securities said systematic buyers are preparing to reload on stocks after a massive unwind, signaling potential momentum shifts in equity markets. The former CFO of a Miami Beach hedge fund pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $3 million over four years by approving phony invoices and using corporate credit cards. A flight-tracking platform is suing Kalshi over flight cancellation prediction markets, arguing such contracts could encourage unsafe tactics and disrupt air travel.

Food & Agriculture

Smithfield Foods cut its full-year outlook as inflation-weary consumers become choosier at the grocery store, with higher costs pressuring operations. Chobani lowered its annual earnings forecast as the Greek yogurt maker contends with rising material costs, according to people familiar with the matter. JBS said its main US beef business has yet to benefit from a restructuring plan, but sees renewed Mexican cattle flows eventually aiding meatpacking margins. Colombian coffee exports are largely halted after a deadly earthquake disrupted operations at the nation’s main port and triggered roadblocks along key highways, with the death toll rising to at least.

Regulation & Policy

The Trump administration killed the annual Arctic Report Card after 20 years of documenting the region’s extraordinary transformation due to warming. Donald Trump sued New York, Connecticut, and Vermont over their policies of giving undocumented students in-state tuition, challenging the legality of the programs. Food companies largely dodged a crackdown in RFK Jr.’s proposal on new additives, as trade groups and safety advocates find the transparency rule has limitations. Salvini proposed a three-year windfall tax on Italian bank profits, citing strained public finances. The University of Michigan will make first-semester grades pass or fail to encourage students to try different classes and lessen fears about low grades affecting mental health.

Industrial & Materials

Chile cut its copper production forecast for a second straight quarter as weaker output from some of the country’s largest mines adds to supply constraints supporting prices. Radiant World is seeking to sell a $150 million aluminum stockpile at a small discount to market prices to boost its liquidity, according to people familiar with the matter. CSN received enough support to push through a $1 billion debt exchange, giving the Brazilian steelmaker fresh financial relief as it copes with high financing costs. Barrick Mining named a new CEO for its operations outside North America, advancing Chairman John Thornton’s plans to separate the company’s non-North American assets ahead of an IPO.

US Consumer & Credit

Household delinquencies improved slightly in the second quarter, with the share of overdue consumer loans and some measures of newly delinquent debt falling, pointing to stabilization for the US consumer. Behind the high credit-card delinquencies are stale, charged-off loans, but the share of loans transitioning into serious delinquency has been stabilizing even as the overall pile grows, the New York Fed reported.