Global M&A deal value is on pace to reach $4 trillion this year, the strongest total since 2021, as AI demand fuels a wave of large transactions. PwC said deals above $5 billion now account for nearly half of global value, widening the gap between megadeals and a mid-market still constrained by uncertainty, valuation gaps and a private equity exit backlog.

OFAC & OFSI enforcement trends are accelerating. Get exclusive insights into the latest sanctions actions and review the 2020-2025 trends inside.

Global stocks fell as a retreat in large technology companies and renewed concerns about higher US interest rates weighed on investor sentiment. The decline followed losses in AI-related shares, with Alphabet, Amazon and semiconductor stocks extending recent weakness, while SpaceX shares dropped more than 20% from their post-IPO peak. The sell-off spread across Asia and Europe, highlighting growing investor scrutiny of technology valuations after a rally that helped drive major equity indexes to record highs earlier this year. "New concerns are emerging" for stocks, said Barclays strategist Venu Krishna, "as markets tangle with resurgent inflation, AI capex scales to unprecedented levels and a Fed rate path narrows more than before."

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is seeking public comment on expanding 24/7 trading and introducing perpetual energy derivatives, citing growth in "perps" and concerns about offshore platforms and risk. The agency is reviewing how such products could affect markets as exchanges explore extended hours and new contract structures. Industry groups have raised pricing and oversight concerns tied to unregistered venues.