Markets at a glance

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September U.S. retail and food-service sales rose 0.8% from August to $745.0 billion and 6.3% from a year earlier. Sales excluding gasoline stations increased 0.2%, against a 6.4% jump at gasoline stations. August’s overall gain was revised to 1.3%. These seasonally adjusted dollar estimates are not adjusted for inflation and remain subject to revision.

U.S. Census Bureau · September advance report

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In October 16 prepared remarks, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga outlined a goal to expand the institution’s critical-minerals business fivefold within five years. Initial country compacts with development-bank partners aim to build local industries and keep more jobs and value in resource-producing economies. Twenty potential partner countries have been identified. This is an ambition, not a completed expansion or a newly disbursed funding amount.

World Bank · Annual Meetings prepared remarks

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UniCredit says the ECB has authorized it to cross a 30% equity holding in Commerzbank and increase that stake without an upper limit. The approval does not complete the takeover. UniCredit expects remaining regulatory processes and offer conditions around year-end, when it anticipates approximately 50% of voting rights and control. Those outcomes and timing remain the company’s expectations.

UniCredit · Official company announcement

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J.B. Hunt’s third-quarter revenue grew 20% year over year to $3.68 billion, while operating income rose 2% to $247.1 million. Revenue excluding fuel surcharges increased 13%; intermodal loads rose 8%. Diluted earnings per share were $1.82, versus $1.76 a year earlier. The company cited transportation, fuel and insurance costs in explaining a lower operating margin: stronger sales did not translate into equally strong profit growth.

J.B. Hunt · Third-quarter 2026 results

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The IEA says about 330 million barrels have been released from emergency reserves, with around 100 million still to come. Members agreed to accelerate the remaining programme, including plans for more than 20 million barrels of diesel as soon as possible. That diesel is part of the remaining releases, not an extra amount to add on top. The eventual total will exceed the original 400-million-barrel pledge, according to the agency.

IEA · Governing Board statement

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Ukraine’s parliament approved measures covering foreign-parcel taxation, e-commerce transparency and financial monitoring of politicians, Reuters reports. The votes advance conditions attached to EU and IMF support; they do not establish that new funding has been approved or paid. A 20% VAT on foreign parcels would start no earlier than July 2027. Officials said further lender requirements still needed to be met.

Reuters via AOL · October 15, 12:56 UTC