Stocks Rise on AI Confidence; Tensions Mount in the Middle East | Bloomberg Brief 08/17/2026

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  August 17, 2026 at 11:57  |  42:59  |  Bloomberg Markets
Speakers
Vonnie Quinn — Anchor, Bloomberg
Ella Gude — Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton
Anthony DiPaola — Reporter, Bloomberg (Energy)
Winnie Hsu — Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets)

Summary

Bloomberg Brief covers a global market rebound led by AI confidence, a weaker dollar and fading Fed rate-hike bets. Middle East tensions escalate as the U.S.-Iran MOU deadline expires and Israel strikes Lebanon, keeping oil and gas prices supported. Ella Gude of BNY Investments Newton argues for short-to-intermediate Treasuries, a steeper curve, European assets and a stronger yen. The program also examines Alphabet's global AI bond issuance, Jane Street's rare monthly loss and major investor holdings.

  • Asian stocks extend gains while Japan softens on weak GDP; China tech strength is noted.
  • European markets rise, with copper and European gas supported by supply concerns.
  • Nasdaq futures rally as the market recovers July losses and Fed hike bets fade.
  • Israel-Hezbollah and Iran tensions escalate, with Strait of Hormuz flows in focus.
  • Alphabet plans a debut Australian bond sale amid the AI debt boom.
  • Jane Street posts its first monthly loss in a decade; SpaceX holdings are disclosed.
  • Ella Gude sees support for 2-5 year Treasuries, a steeper curve, Europe and the yen.
  • Oil and refined products remain elevated on Middle East disruptions and refinery stress.
Ideas
Vonnie Quinn Anchor, Bloomberg 2:35
Copper supported by tariff-driven supply concerns.
Copper is trading near its highs with the spot-to-three-month spread at its widest since 2021 because massive tariff-driven inflows into the U.S. are creating supply concerns elsewhere.
COPPER LOW
Vonnie Quinn Anchor, Bloomberg 2:59
European gas supported by low storage.
European gas prices are higher because storage is not as full as it should be this time of year, and Bloomberg Intelligence estimates storage could end winter at about 20% of normal levels.
UNG LOW
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 24:44
Short-to-intermediate Treasuries look supported.
Softer U.S. data should reduce pressure on shorter yields, and the two- to five-year part of the Treasury curve now has cyclical support, especially relative to expensive equity and credit valuations.
US2Y MED
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 26:14
Treasury curve should stay steeper.
The Fed is expected to stay put while AI capex, onshoring of supply chains and U.S. fiscal concerns keep pressure on the long end, so the Treasury curve should remain steeper.
U.S. 2s10s yield curve steepener HIGH
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 29:07
European assets attractive on ECB positioning.
Europe looks more attractive because the ECB has already moved and has lower inflation pressure; owning European equities, credit, or core bonds makes sense, and the euro can play a countercyclical role as the dollar becomes more tied to U.S. equities.
VGK European Credit European core bonds EUR MED
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 30:11
Emerging markets supported by structural tailwinds.
She continues to hold emerging markets because structural tailwinds for many EM countries are supportive.
EEM LOW
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 31:11
Yen likely strengthens over coming months.
The Bank of Japan will eventually move from its timid stance, and even without outpacing market pricing the yen is likely to trade stronger over the next few months as uncontrolled dollar-yen upside is no longer tolerated.
USD/JPY HIGH
Ella Gude Head of Fixed Income and CO-Head of Real Return, BNY Investments Newton 31:11
Yen likely strengthens over coming months.
The Bank of Japan will eventually move from its timid stance, and even without outpacing market pricing the yen is likely to trade stronger over the next few months as uncontrolled dollar-yen upside is no longer tolerated.
FXY HIGH
Anthony DiPaola Reporter, Bloomberg (Energy) 38:17
Oil and refined products stay elevated.
Large volumes of crude are still moving through the Strait of Hormuz and via pipelines, but disruptions are still removing barrels and refinery stress is keeping gasoline, diesel and jet fuel elevated; Brent is around $90 and supported, with risk of much higher prices if disruptions worsen.
BNO CRAK MED
Up Next
5:09
Expect markets to grind higher into the end of the year, says Hightower’s Stephanie Link
CNBC · Aug 17
31:42
CASAS BAHIA fecha 300 lojas; o dólar liga o ALERTA; Ibovespa a NOCAUTE
Fernando Ulrich · Aug 17
1:35:05
Technology Stocks Lift Equities, Mideast Peace Prospects Wane | The Opening Trade 8/17/2026
Bloomberg Markets · Aug 17
48:14
China's Economic Woes Mount as Growth Weakens Across the Board | The Pulse 8/17/2026
Bloomberg Markets · Aug 17
1:16:02
Uniswap Is Building The Liquidity Network For Everything | Hayden Adams
Empire · Aug 17

This Bloomberg Markets video, published August 17, 2026, features Vonnie Quinn, Ella Gude, Anthony DiPaola discussing COPPER, UNG, US2Y, U.S. 2s10s yield curve steepener, VGK, European Credit, European core bonds, EUR, EEM, USD/JPY, FXY, BNO, CRAK. 9 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Vonnie Quinn, Ella Gude, Anthony DiPaola  · Tickers: COPPER, UNG, US2Y, U.S. 2s10s yield curve steepener, VGK, European Credit, European core bonds, EUR, EEM, USD/JPY, FXY, BNO, CRAK