United StatesBreaking News

The first half of 2026 saw a bumper earnings season and global equity benchmarks soar to new highs, driven by a enthusiasm around the AI trade. Businesses, investors and central banks now turn their attention to the second half of the year with the focus firmly on whether markets can move past rocky geopolitical issues, growth concerns and ongoing jitters around the AI buildout. The Opening Trade spoke to leading voices about how the rest of 2026 is shaping up for equity markets.

Fiona Yang, Invesco Fund Manager for Asia ex-Japan Equities, says the AI trade isn't over but parts of the market have become stretched. She discussed the market dynamics around the tech trade with Bloomberg's Haslinda Amin and Avril Hong on Insight.

A Chinese milk tea brand has been ordered to pay $1.5 billion to French luxury giant Louis Vuitton for trademark infringement. The case has sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media about intellectual property protection. Bloomberg's China correspondent Minmin Low reports.

Some leading European powers now accept that ships transiting the vital Strait of Hormuz will have to pay fees to Iran and Oman, according to people familiar with the matter. Bloomberg's Patrick Sykes has more.

India and Japan have agreed to deepen cooperation on energy, technology, and defense during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's first official visit to New Delhi. Former Indian Ambassador to Japan, Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, dicusses the implications of the visit on Bloomberg's Insight with Haslinda Amin.

President Donald Trump and his allies are renewing a push to reshape the Federal Reserve after the Supreme Court blocked an effort to fire Governor Lisa Cook. Bloomberg's Enda Curran reports.

Winnie Cisar, global head of credit strategy at CreditSights, and Matt Brill, head of North American investment grade credit at Invesco, join Scarlet Fu on "Bloomberg Real Yield."

Stew Leonard Jr., President and CEO of Stew Leonard's grocery stores, discussed the recent 4% increase in the average cost of an Independence Day meal for 10, now $73.82. He emphasized that despite the rise, the per-person cost remains reasonable compared to dining out. The primary driver of the price increase is beef, with meat prices rising from $2.50 to $2.75 due to a 75-year low in cattle herd sizes and strong demand for protein. He speaks with Romaine Bostick & Bailey Lipschultz on "The Close."

Jim Caron, CIO of the Portfolio Solutions Group at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, discusses the current state of the stock market heading into the second half of the year. Despite significant gains earlier in the year, Caron addresses whether investors should remain overweight in equities amid recent volatility. He speaks with Romaine Bostick & Bailey Lipschultz on "The Close."

Jacob Walthour Jr., CEO of Blueprint Capital Advisors, shares his expertise on account management and fund-to-fund services within private capital strategies. The discussion took place against the backdrop of ongoing redemption tensions in the private credit market, highlighting challenges and opportunities in managing private capital investments. He speaks with Romaine Bostick & Bailey Lipschultz on "The Close."

Margot Kleinman, head of municipal research & portfolio manager at Nuveen, joins Scarlet Fu on "Bloomberg Real Yield." Municipal bonds helped 11 US World Cup Host Cities fund upgrades to transportation hubs, airports, and enhance security.

Sky Zone CEO Dave Hoffman said that the trampoline park company is looking to help parents give their kids the summer they deserve with membership deals as families feel squeezed by higher prices. Hoffman said that his company's thesis is about prioritizing 'active and social play' for kids as they navigate a very online world post covid.