Stocks Rise, Oil Falls Ahead of Xi Jinping's U.S. Visit
In early trading on September 21, 2026, stocks are rising while oil prices fall ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official state visit to the United States later in the week. Positive advance talks between officials have contributed to a boost for equities at the start of the week. Meanwhile, crude oil futures continue their decline with four consecutive days of losses, attributed partly to increased flows through the Strait of Hormuz and speculation about potential U.S.-Iran discussions during the United Nations General Assembly. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) remains down roughly 13% for the year despite recent diplomatic optimism. In corporate news, Paramount Skydance Corp. (PSKY) and Warner Bros Discovery Inc. (WBD) are engaging with states opposing their $81 billion merger to address antitrust concerns. Additionally, Oura Inc., a health-tracking ring company, filed for an IPO seeking up to $2.2 billion in funding.
Topics: geopolitical_relations merger_deals oil_prices stock_market