Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 8:35 PM ET

Equities

U.S. stocks faded for a second straight session as investors braced for key inflation data, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each declining. Asian stocks were poised to follow Wall Street lower, held back by risk aversion ahead of the CPI release and lingering U.S.-Iran tensions. CoreWeave shares jumped 12% after the cloud computing firm reported record revenue and a $104 billion sales backlog, underscoring strong AI infrastructure demand. Super Micro Computer posted a quarterly profit of $1.17 billion, up from $195.2 million a year earlier, as sales nearly doubled. Cava Group reported climbing customer traffic boosted its quarterly profit, with sales already rebounding from recent cyclospora outbreaks. Constellation Software posted a second-quarter profit of $274 million, up from $56 million, fueled by acquisition-driven revenue growth. H&R Block saw revenue rise to $1.14 billion and raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to 46 cents a share. Smithfield Foods lowered its full-year outlook amid inflation-weary consumer caution and softer meat markets. Citi Securities said systematic buyers are preparing to reload on levered stock bets after a massive unwind.

Fixed Income

Barclays noted that a shift in the U.S. Treasury buyer base toward value-oriented mutual funds and households has helped keep 30-year yields at multi-decade peaks. Hawaii tapped the municipal bond market to finance the completion of the first U.S. driverless rail line, a light-rail project in Honolulu. The WSJ Dollar Index ended flat, while the yen gained slightly on hints of coordinated U.S.-Japan action, though intervention effects are wearing off. Nvidia’s reported $250 billion commitment to backstop AI data centers is soothed jittery credit markets, bolstering confidence in the sector’s financial staying power.

Commodities

Gold steadied near $2,340/oz as traders weighed prospects for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and awaited U.S. inflation data. Silver fell 0.5%, snapping a two-day winning streak, while gold settled 0.5% higher for a third consecutive session. Oil held a four-day gain as traders monitored efforts to restore energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent rising on deadlocked negotiations. The U.S. now expects oil supply disruptions from the Iran conflict to reach 600,000 barrels per day through end of next year. Natural gas futures gave back some gains as soft LNG demand and comfortable storage levels capped rallies. European gas prices neared Iran-war highs, driven by heatwaves and a solar eclipse expected to boost gas-fired power generation. Chile lowered its copper production forecast for a second straight quarter as mine disruptions add to supply constraints. Colombia coffee exports were largely halted after a deadly earthquake disrupted port operations and key highways. Panama Canal fees hit a record high as drought from El Niño and the Iran war choke shipping capacity.

Currencies

The WSJ Dollar Index ended flat. The yen gained slightly amid hints of joint U.S.-Japan intervention, though the effect wore off quickly. Omers returned 4.8% in the first half, fueled by a strong U.S. dollar and rising stocks, gaining C$6.9 billion.

Deals & Corporate

Blackstone and Quebec’s La Caisse agreed to buy a 25% stake in Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program for nearly $2 billion. Aurora Cannabis is reviewing an unsolicited takeover bid from Curaleaf valued at about $272 million. General Motors set up a $4.5 billion safety net to avoid parts shortages, addressing recent supply chain disruptions. Target hired its first chief AI officer as part of a push to recover from sluggish performance. OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap stepped down to “start something new.” Uber sold its stake in Serve Robotics amid a clash over delivery robot deployment. Bitwise cut 14% of its workforce as the crypto industry remains under pressure.

Sectors

Tech & AI: A rotation from AI infrastructure stocks to China’s biggest tech firms will be tested as earnings are due. Global investors now favor Taiwanese stocks over South Korea’s on steadier earnings prospects after July’s AI selloff. Singapore Exchange is exploring single-stock ETFs and tie-ups to bolster its position as Southeast Asia’s multi-asset hub. The AI data center boom is “maxing out” P&C insurers, according to AIG’s CEO, as the buildout pushes underwriting capacity. Texas power demand growth was trimmed after a pause on new data center projects.

Auto & Transport:

China is tightening its grip on Europe’s auto supply chain, while an opinion piece warns not to hand America’s auto future to Beijing. A roundup covers EV prices and shipbuilding.

Energy & Utilities:

A market talk discusses oil futures and AI data center power demand. Italy’s Deputy PM Salvini proposed a windfall tax on Italian bank profits to address strained public finances.

Real Estate:

China’s real estate market is racing to defuse a $148 billion time bomb, as officials try to fix a long-standing sector problem. In Manhattan, the Elizabeth Street Garden dispute appears to be winding down, with the developer abandoning plans to replace the garden with housing. Americans are tapping record home equity levels to pay down credit card debt as borrowing mounts.

Geopolitics and Markets

David Ellison floated a Hollywood exit for his Paramount deal as state attorneys general threaten a lawsuit. Trump was secretly evacuated from Air Force One amid an Iranian threat; the plane was later used as a decoy. A court awarded $250,000 to a musician who fled a Trump-linked Kennedy Center gig. Iran is preparing for worsening economic malaise to withstand Trump’s pressure. The U.S. fired on a ship that violated the Iran blockade, while Iran has adapted its attacks as U.S. war munitions dwindle. StubHub faces complaints over refunds for customers who battled for tickets. A former hedge fund CFO pleaded guilty to embezzling $3 million. The University of Michigan will ease up on grades for student mental health. AOC opened up about freezing her eggs, sparking conversation. The Bayeux Tapestry is coming to the British Museum. Trump sued New York and other states over in-state tuition for migrants. Colombia earthquake death toll rises to. Abdul El-Sayed victory sparks Islamophobia wave; he can win Michigan by emphasizing Jewish homeland rights. Angie Craig has a cash edge over Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota’s Senate primary. Trump administration kills the annual Arctic Report Card after 20 years. Instagram’s VHS dates videos are nostalgic but not real.