Public Markets 8 Hours

Last updated: August 27, 2026, 3:17 AM ET

Equities

Asian equities traded mixed after Nvidia’s earnings and guidance set the tone for the region, with chip stocks rallying in Tokyo and the Nikkei adding 0.7%. Nvidia’s results were a strong validation of the AI infrastructure trade, according to Saxo Markets, as the company projects 70% sales growth next year and rebuts criticism over its financing arrangements. The company says such deals with customers are "excellent" investments with "limited" risk. In London, the FTSE 100 is poised to miss out on the Nvidia-fueled global rally due to its heavy weighting in energy and financials rather than technology.

Elsewhere in tech, HP reported higher revenue in its third quarter as higher prices offset lower PC volumes, driven partly by a pickup in AI-enabled personal computers. In Singapore, the Singapore dollar was little changed in the Asian session, with traders focused on the Jackson Hole symposium. The yen edged higher ahead of a speech by Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Himino.

Deals & Corporate Actions

Sweden's Boliden AB agreed to acquire Votorantim SA's stake in Nexa Resources SA in a deal valued at unvalued, taking control of the zinc and silver producer and expanding into Brazil and Peru. In China, one of the largest privately held conglomerates, Fujia, is said to be considering a sale of its Hexie Health Insurance Co. unit, according to people familiar with the matter.

In Australia, iron ore miner Fortescue Ltd. is mulling its debut panda bond sale, potentially raising 3 billion yuan ($446 million) despite ongoing geopolitical tensions with China. Meanwhile, India's RBI is intensifying its support for the rupee with a strategic shift, emboldened by a jump in forex reserves to contest pressure from higher oil prices.

Manchester-based cinema software company Unique X is planning a London listing, with a potential valuation of £300 million in an initial public offering next year. Elsewhere, hedge funds are boosting bets the Aussie dollar will outperform the kiwi heading into year-end, given prospects for higher Australian interest rates.

Mining & Industrial Profits

Chinese industrial profits grew at their weakest pace this year in July, slowing for a third straight month as a cooling economy weighed on production and price gains. These results underscore wider concerns over the health of Chinese manufacturing and have raised questions about commodity demand growth.

In Europe, France's Alstom is choosing a smaller number of new projects following a recent profits warning. The company is focusing on profitability and rail contracts to get back on track.

Energy & Commodities

Oil markets are under pressure as hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have buoyed sentiment, while Kuwait and Qatar — two of the Persian Gulf's smaller producers — are sending more crude through the strait, adding to shipments that keep global prices in check. Diesel prices are near record highs due to the war in Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, and Qantas has reported a decline in profit as fuel costs surge, warning the financial hit may extend into its current fiscal year.

Norway is doubling down on oil and gas exploration, with the "drill, baby, drill" mantra ringing out despite EU green rhetoric.

Fixed Income & FX

France has replaced Italy as the biggest worry for European bond investors, with borrowing costs above Rome for most of the summer. Political fragility is driving risk premiums on sovereign bonds.

Australia's household spending rose more than anticipated in July, providing evidence of solid demand, even after three interest rate rises earlier this year. But that same economy is also calibrated to respond uneasily to hot inflation that drove Goldman Sachs economists to expect another rate hike as early as September.

Policy & Regulation

In the Philippines, the stock exchange operator projects a reduction in stock brokerage firms should the SEC proceed with a plan to increase capitalization requirements.

KKR will pay a record $250 million to settle a DoJ lawsuit, but the private equity firm says it strongly disagrees with US claims over buyout filings. The White House now faces the prospect of a new counsel — Will Scharf — known for his unwavering loyalty to President Trump. Separately, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has hit back at Trump's allegations that she committed mortgage fraud.

Special Situations

A Hong Kong court has allowed liquidators of collapsed property group Evergrande to pursue PwC's global network for audit failings, exposing the Big Four network model to significant risk.

This emerging case study sees crypto hoarders unwinding, having shed $80bn in value as the business model collapses. Bitcoin treasury companies sold tokens and reverted to former activities. Wealthy Indians step up bets on overseas markets, amidst a weak rupee and limited home exposure.