
Global equities fall, bond yields rise, and oil climbs above $90 following renewed U.S.-Iran military exchanges and G20 friction.
AI-generated summary
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated following the breakdown of a ceasefire, leading to direct military exchanges.
Once the ceasefire had been abandoned, it seemed only a matter of time before the tension between the U.S. and Iran flared up once again.
The return to military exchanges between the two countries has spooked the markets, sending stocks into the red and oil higher.
Read on for more.
What you need to know today
Global equities are under renewed selling pressure.
In Asia, steep declines for Japan's main markets and South Korea's Kospi are leading markets lower across the board. U.S. futures are back in the red after the Dow fell more than 400 points in Tuesday's session. Europe is also set to open lower.
Global bond yields continued their march higher Tuesday. The U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield scaled to levels not seen since January 2025. Japan's 10-year yield reached its highest level since August 1996, while Germany's benchmark yield rose to a 2011 high.
Oil price jumps
Crude prices continue to climb in early trade on Wednesday.
West Texas Intermediate futures for October are back above $90 a barrel, while Brent crude for November delivery is back over $95 a barrel.
The White House has announced a set of massive oil deals with Venezuela, but analysts say it will take years to boost the country's production. CNBC's Brian Sullivan will speak to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Squawk Box, you can catch that interview here.
No Strait answer
The trigger for these now-familiar market moves is a resurgence in tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets. Tehran has retaliated with attacks on U.S. military infrastructure across the Gulf.
In a Truth Social post, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was "not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table," but reiterated that the U.S. has "almost total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, while adding that Tehran's economy was collapsing.
China dissents
There is also tension at the conclusion of the G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.
China has dissented from joining a G20 statement, rejecting wording in the document that called out "non-market based economies pushing out a never-ending stream of cheap exports."
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent detailed the move at a press conference, saying the other G20 members will look to "reach a resolution on this unsustainable equilibrium" in the coming weeks.
Driven out the Stoxx 50
German autos giant VW could be pushed out of the Euro Stoxx 50 later this month and be replaced by a resurgent Nokia . Shares in the Finnish telco hit an 18-year high in June after doubling on the year.
Meanwhile VW shares have fallen nearly 30% this year amid fierce competition from China, alongside a major restructuring.
And Finally...
Canada’s Carney slaps Trump admin for ‘doing memes ... throwing shade’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday blasted the Trump administration for "doing memes" and "throwing shade" against his nation amid a growing trade war.
Carney's comments came in response to a reporter's question about Trump officials mocking Canada's military in social media posts and comments, and President Donald Trump signing an executive order directing the renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for federal government use.
"When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions" about trade, Carney said in Ottawa.
"But look, it's not constructive, but that's their democracy."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
VW could be pushed out of the Euro Stoxx 50 later this month.
Likely · Within weeks

Government bonds sold off globally on Wednesday, pushing borrowing costs to multi-decade highs. Yields on German bunds, Japanese debt, U.S. Treasuries, and British gilts climbed as investors worried over inflation, rising oil prices, and expected rate hikes.

Shares of Japanese beverage maker Ito En rose over 8% after reporting a fiscal first-quarter operating profit of 10.2 billion yen, beating Citi's forecast due to unexpected profitability in its vending machine business.

Britain's BP formally appointed Ian Tyler as chair on Wednesday, succeeding Albert Manifold following leadership upheaval and executive turnover at the oil major.

CME Group is launching 10-barrel WTI crude futures contracts to lower entry barriers for retail investors, though professionals will still dominate benchmark pricing.

Australia's economy grew 2.1% year on year in the second quarter, beating Reuters economists' expectations of 1.8%, driven by private demand and mining exports.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged G20 counterparts to follow the Trump administration's approach of using tariffs to address trade imbalances caused by Chinese exports, citing concerns over global growth being 'sucked' by non-market economies, amid a bond market selloff and unclear prospects for a joint communique.