Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 3:31 AM ET
Energy & Commodities
Oil prices breached $100 a barrel after attacks on vessels in the Gulf rattled markets, with two tankers attacked in Iraqi waters prompting oil terminal suspensions. The International Energy Agency's planned release of 400 million barrels from strategic reserves could take months to reach buyers, failing to stem the surge. Meanwhile, palm oil futures extended their rally as crude's jump above $100 increases demand prospects for biofuel feedstocks.
Geopolitical & Supply Chain
The Middle East conflict triggered a cooking-gas crunch in India, forcing food delivery companies to brace for operational disruptions. In West Africa, Mali established a mining task force with judicial powers to oversee gold mining amid illegal output concerns. South Korea approved a $350 billion US investment package to establish a fund for American industries as part of a broader trade deal.
Financial Markets & Trading
Global bonds surrendered their 2026 gains as elevated oil prices stoked inflation fears, triggering a selloff across fixed-income markets. In options trading, South Korean volatility made local contracts look cheap after wild stock-market swings, while hedge funds loaded up on Aussie call options ahead of the RBA's rate decision. Japan's largest life insurers remained keen on private debt despite growing red flags about sector health.
Corporate & Regulatory
BMW projected flat automaking margins this year due to tariff costs and intensifying Chinese competition. Standard Bank reported record profit as a growing client base bolstered fee income and market volatility drove trading revenue. In regulatory news, the EU's six biggest economies pushed for a single markets watchdog to reinvigorate plans to unify the bloc's capital markets.
Technology & Labor
Atlassian cut 10% of its workforce to adapt to AI threats, becoming Australia's latest major tech company to reduce staff. Meanwhile, Uber, Nissan, and Wayve teamed up to offer robotaxi services in Tokyo with a pilot program planned for late 2026. Chinese humanoid robot training farms aimed to supply data needed to put "brains" into machines.
Real Estate & Infrastructure
Boustead REIT prepared for its debut after Singapore's biggest 2026 IPO raised about S$973.6 million ($764 . In the UK, water utilities may finally be worth a dip despite recent price bumps keeping valuations relatively low. Washington State passed its first "millionaires' tax", affecting an estimated 20,000 households.
Private Markets & Credit
Private credit faces mounting pressure as JPMorgan marked down software company loans and Glendon Capital questioned Blue Owl's valuations, claiming debts are marked higher than similar publicly traded securities. Partners Group sounded an alarm on default rates, warning the pace could double to above 5% in coming years.
Insurance & Healthcare
Italian insurer Generali posted a 12% profit rise with net profit reaching €4.17 billion in 2025 and proposed a €1.64 dividend per share. Meanwhile, a third of Americans cut spending or borrowed money for healthcare as medical costs rise, with over 80 million making sacrifices like skipping meals.
Currencies & Forex
The Singapore dollar weakened amid higher Treasury yields, while the yen hovered near its weakest level of the year against the dollar. Strategists saw a higher intervention bar for Japanese authorities this time around. The Indian rupee faced a potential slide to 94-95 per dollar as the Middle East conflict intensified.
Metals & Mining
Iron ore cargoes were diverted from the Mideast as conflict intensified, with some shipments rerouted mid-voyage to East Asia. Silver could more than double in 2026, potentially averaging around $93/ounce according to BMI. Meanwhile, China tightened fuel export curbs as the Iran war hit oil supply, with refiners canceling agreed refined fuel export cargoes.
Legal & Regulatory
Hong Kong authorities arrested hedge fund and brokerage staff in a $300 million insider trading probe, alleging brokers accepted bribes for information on share placements. A legal battle intensified over £3 billion in bitcoin seized by British police, with Chinese crypto fraud victims fighting to stop the Treasury capturing the inflated value.
Alternative Assets
BlackRock, L&G, and UBS were among 60 ESG funds holding BP shares despite the company's pivot away from oil and gas pledges. The top-end auction sales helped pull the global art market out of its slump, driven by a $2.2 billion auction week in New York and strong fall fairs.