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Daily Update — August 19, 2026

Next Chapter for Gulf Economies; SpaceX's AI-Driven Earnings Beat; and Infrastructure Fundraising Slump

Today is Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.

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Global Trade

Listen: Beyond Disruption: The Next Chapter for GCC Economies

 

Gulf Cooperation Council economies are adapting to global trade disruptions, infrastructure concerns and shifting growth priorities amid the Middle East war, moving beyond immediate disruption toward longer-term issues.

 

In this episode of “The Decisive” podcast, host Kristen Hallam shared highlights from S&P Global Market Intelligence’s webinar, “Beyond Disruption: The Next Chapter for GCC Trade, Investment and Growth.” Led by Ralf Wiegert, head of S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Middle East and North Africa forecasting team, panelists explored topics including the limits of alternative routes around the Strait of Hormuz; the role of pipelines, ports, rails and corridors in Gulf trade routes; and the implications for supply chains that rely on Middle East petrochemicals and other industrial inputs.

Technology & Innovation

SpaceX postQ: AI growth drives earnings beat as capex expectations surge

 

Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX, delivered a strong second quarter in its first earnings report as a public company, beating Visible Alpha consensus expectations on revenue and profitability as AI emerged as its fastest-growing business. Visible Alpha is a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

 

AI revenue rose 247.5% year over year to $2.6 billion, beating consensus by 27%. AI growth, however, is coming with substantially higher investment. AI capital expenditure reached $15.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, 47.5% above expectations.

Private Markets

Infrastructure Fundraising Report H1: Record Low Follows a Record High


Infrastructure fundraising totaled $43.4 billion globally in the first half of 2026, down from an all-time high of $250 billion in full year 2025, according to With Intelligence, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

 

Globally, 31 closed-ended funds held a final close in the first half. While appetite for the asset class remains, capital continues to be concentrated among large fund managers. At least three megafunds in the fundraising market are set to close in the second half, including KKR Global Infrastructure Investors V, which has already raised more than $17 billion of its $20 billion target.

In case you missed it

  • The return of US spectrum auctions, repeal of national TV station ownership cap and pushback on data centers are transforming the US technology, media and telecom industry.
  • Asia-Pacific investment holding companies are increasingly deploying capital to high-growth, tech-intensive sectors. S&P Global Ratings said strong external support and funding access should protect this strategic shift from emerging risks.
  • Ukraine’s corn harvest is expected to strain the country’s grain storage capacity as exports slow and storage costs surge amid the Russia-Ukraine war’s escalation, according to S&P Global Energy.

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