Brent rose 1.4% to $83.65 a barrel as tensions in the Middle East and a lack of clarity on a deal to reopen the crucial waterway lifted the commodity. Oil has climbed over 37% this year.

Treasury futures inched lower in early Asian trading as higher energy prices revived concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates elevated. In the cash market, the Treasury 10-year yield held at 4.68%, after climbing seven basis points during the US session. Government bonds in Australia also fell, sending the yields on the 10-year higher by eight basis points.

A Bloomberg gauge of the dollar’s strength was little changed after posting its biggest gain in two weeks during the New York session. Asian stocks swung between minor gains and losses.

A lack of a deal in the Middle East risks keeping energy prices higher, adding to a market already volatile on the artificial intelligence trade. Attention now turns to Friday’s US employment report for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path. A stronger-than-expected payrolls reading would reinforce the case for higher-for-longer interest rates.

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“Near-term risks remain, especially if US data stay firm, oil prices keep inflation concerns alive, or markets continue to price in a more hawkish Federal Reserve rate path,” said Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi at UBS Chief Investment Office.
Iran will seek to restrict US and Israeli ships from the Strait of Hormuz and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing passage, according to local media reports on a proposed Iran-Oman agreement to manage the strategic waterway.The reports come as officials in both Washington and Tehran have signaled that an accord may be close. President Donald Trump, who recently stepped back from threats to resume military strikes on Iran, said things are “moving along good” when asked for an update.

Separately, Fars news agency said Iranian naval forces had struck “hostile targets” at the entrance to the strait.

“Wall Street is reversing again from sharp recent gains, as a lack of clarity over the Strait of Hormuz has investors questioning whether the strong rally at the start of the week was justified by perceived improvements in geopolitical negotiations,” said José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers.

US economic data released Thursday highlighted the resilience of the US labor market, leaving inflation as the key variable for the Fed’s September meeting. Initial jobless claims remained below 200,000 for a third consecutive week, while a separate report showed labor productivity accelerated by more than expected in the second quarter as companies worked to offset higher costs.

Traders now turn their attention to Friday’s payrolls report. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect employers added 80,000 jobs in July, following a weaker-than-expected gain of 57,000 in June. The report is expected to provide the clearest signal yet on whether the labor market is cooling enough to support expectations for Fed easing later this year.

“Friday’s jobs report is of greater importance for markets given how fast this stock market has rallied over the past week, and ultimately we will need to see a number that is not too hot and not too cold in order for the market to keep grinding higher,” said Clark Bellin at Bellwether Wealth.

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The evolving public market now features specialised platforms with recurring revenue and institutional backing across co-working, real estate investment trusts, student housing, education infrastructure, logistics parks, and managed development platforms.

Read more: Most active funds beat benchmark indices last year: Motilal Oswal Study

Rather than being dominated by conventional property developers, the next phase of listings is likely to feature specialised real estate platforms with recurring revenue models, institutional ownership and sector-specific growth opportunities.

Agencies

Market Evolution Co-working operators, REITs and education infra firms seek their growth capital through public listings

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“India’s real estate IPO market is entering a new phase, one where institutionally managed platforms and not just conventional developers are stepping into the public markets,” said Lata Pillai, senior MD and head of Capital Markets, India, JLL. “Backed by institutional ownership, transparent governance, predictable cash flows and scalable operating models, these businesses are opening the door to a new breed of listings for investors to explore.”
Flexible workspace operators led the first wave of post-pandemic public listings. Companies like WeWork India, IndiQube, Awfis, and Smartworks have already gone public, while The Executive Centre India recently filed for an IPO and Alta Capital-backed Tablespace is exploring a listing.
“For a long time, private equity was the primary source of growth capital for specialised real estate businesses. As these platforms have scaled and established operating track records, the public markets are emerging as the next logical source of capital,” said Deep Shah, AVP, Unistone, a Merchant Banking firm. “IPOs provide companies with the financial flexibility to fund expansion, pursue acquisitions, strengthen their balance sheets and diversify their sources of capital.”
Institutionally backed residential developers are also exploring the public markets.

Bengaluru-based Assetz has filed draft IPO papers to raise over ₹1,200 crore, while positioning itself as a professionally managed, institutionally backed developer with a focus on governance and design-led residential projects.

Another emerging category is student housing and education infrastructure.

Centres of Learning

Hillhouse-backed Elevate Campuses has proposed a ₹2,550 crore IPO comprising entirely a fresh issue of shares. The company plans to use the proceeds to expand its education infrastructure platform, including student accommodation and K-12 education assets. Among residential developers, Runwal Realty has filed draft papers for a ₹2,000 crore IPO, while Runwal Enterprises has received Sebi approval for its proposed ₹1,000 crore public issue.

According to Pillai, as capital markets deepen and specialised real estate segments mature, we expect a wider range of platforms to tap public capital, unlocking fresh opportunities across realty growth story.

US stocks have finished the trading session lower, pausing after a strong start to the week, as investors digested the latest round of corporate earnings and looked for signs of ‌progress toward a peace deal between the US and Iran.

A robust earnings season, which has tempered some concerns about the massive spending by AI-related companies, and growing optimism over the potential ‌end of hostilities in the Iran war helped propel both the Dow Industrials and S&P 500 to record highs earlier this week.

Oil prices rose, with US crude settling up 2.75 per cent at $US77.29 a barrel and Brent settling at $US82.49 per barrel, up 3.83 per cent.

Iranian news agency Fars reported that a parliamentary committee in Iran is reviewing a preliminary bill that would bar US, Israeli and other “hostile” vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“You’re seeing perhaps more muted response to macro news than you would otherwise see, probably due to the fact of ‌the summer and a little ‌bit of fatigue, there’s a ⁠little bit of headline fatigue, specifically around Iran,” said Robert Bernstone, head of trading at SummitTX Capital in New ​York.

“Iran is having less of an impact right now, to be clear, I’m not saying it has no impact … tweets are something, headlines are something, but we really want to see the devil is in the details.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 464.02 points, or 0.85 per cent, to 53,885.10, the S&P 500 lost 13.52 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 7,710.03 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 15.09 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 26,348.35.

The recent indications of movement toward a peace deal helped push crude prices lower earlier in the week and, in turn, eased inflation worries and ⁠expectations for a rate hike from the Federal Reserve, which also served to push US Treasury yields ‌lower.

Data storage company Western Digital tumbled 13 per cent and memory chip maker Sandisk dropped 6.8 per cent following their quarterly results. 

Both companies have surged this year, however, with Sandisk ​up more than ‌400 per cent and Western Digital up about 160 per cent. 

AppLovin plunged 19.7 per cent after the marketing platform missed Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue while Datadog plummeted 19 per cent after the cloud security firm said ​it expects revenue growth to slow in the third quarter. 

Both stocks were among the biggest drags on the benchmark S&P index.

Of the 382 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings through Wednesday morning, 84.8 per cent have topped analyst expectations, according to LSEG data, well above the 68 per cent average beat rate since 1994.

SpaceX shares erased losses from earlier in the session and closed ​6.1 per cent higher, defying expectations that they would be pressured by insider selling, as the ‌lockup period for early investors holding the stock expired. 

On the data front, the number of people in the US filing claims for unemployment benefits increased slightly last week.

The report came ahead of closely watched non-farm payrolls figures for July due on Friday, which will shape expectations for the Fed’s path for interest rates at a time when chairman Kevin Warsh has scaled back on forward guidance from the central bank.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.57-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.38-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&P 500 posted 29 ​new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 131 new highs and 82 new lows.

Volume on US exchanges was 17.09 billion shares, compared with the ​17.42 billion average for the full session ⁠over the last 20 trading days.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Hello, and welcome to Perdoceo Education Corporation’s Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]

I would now like to turn the conference over to Nick Nelson. Please go ahead.

Nick Nelson
Alpha IR Group LLC

Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us for our second quarter 2026 earnings call. With me on the call today is Todd Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Ashish Ghia, Chief Financial Officer. This conference call is being webcast live within the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at perdoceoed.com. A webcast replay will also be available on our site for 90 days following the call, and you can always contact the Alpha IR Group for Investor Relations support.

Let me remind you that this afternoon’s earnings release and remarks made today include forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These statements are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Perdoceo Education Corporation and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors identified in Perdoceo’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by the securities laws, the company undertakes no obligation to update those factors or any forward-looking statements to reflect future

Clinical research moves medicine forward one study at a time. Behind every successful study is a team focused on accuracy, safety, and people. Natasha La Anyane has built her career around that responsibility.

She combines technical knowledge with communication, adaptability, and resilience. Her approach shows that leadership is not only about managing complex work. It is also about staying true to your values while helping others succeed.

“I define success as living according to your values while making progress toward meaningful goals,” Natasha says. “That is what guides me every day.”

How Natasha La Anyane Built a Career in Clinical Research

Natasha La Anyane earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. That educational background gave her a deeper understanding of human behavior and communication. Those skills became valuable as she entered the field of clinical research.

She chose a career where every detail matters. Clinical research requires careful planning, strong organization, and teamwork. Every step must follow strict guidelines while keeping patient safety at the center of the process.

Over the years, Natasha has built extensive experience supporting clinical research while remaining committed to professional growth. She is an active member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and has earned the Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) credential. These achievements reflect her commitment to maintaining high standards and continuing to grow within the industry.

What Makes Someone Successful in Clinical Research?

Working in clinical research means balancing science with people. Natasha believes technical knowledge is only part of the equation.

“Flexibility, adaptability, interpersonal skills, proactiveness, and communication make the biggest difference,” she explains.

Clinical research rarely follows a perfect path. Timelines shift. Unexpected challenges appear. Teams must respond quickly while maintaining quality and compliance.

Natasha believes successful professionals remain calm and adjust without losing sight of the larger goal. Strong communication helps researchers, sponsors, healthcare professionals, and study teams stay aligned throughout the process.

Her psychology background also supports her ability to understand different perspectives and build productive working relationships.

Why Resilience Matters in Clinical Research

Every career includes setbacks. Clinical research is no exception. Studies change direction. Plans evolve. New challenges appear with little warning.

Natasha has developed a mindset that keeps her moving forward.

“Not getting what I want but being resilient and getting back up and trying again helps me overcome challenges,” she says.

Rather than viewing obstacles as failures, she sees them as opportunities to learn and improve.

This outlook has helped shape her approach to leadership. Instead of reacting emotionally to problems, she focuses on solutions. She believes consistency and perseverance often create better long-term results than chasing quick wins.

Accountability Creates Better Leaders

One lesson Natasha continues to apply throughout her career is personal accountability.

“Keeping myself accountable has made a tremendous difference,” she says.

She believes leadership starts with holding yourself to the same standards you expect from others. That includes preparing thoroughly, communicating clearly, and taking ownership of responsibilities.

Her own standards continue to guide her professional decisions.

“My own set standards keeps me focused on doing my best.”

This personal discipline helps create trust among colleagues and contributes to stronger teamwork across clinical research projects.

Balancing Performance with Health and Well-Being

Clinical research can be demanding. Projects often involve multiple priorities and strict timelines. Natasha believes maintaining personal health is essential for long-term success.

“It contributed tremendously to keep your mental and physical health intact,” she says when discussing the importance of balance.

Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time at the gym. These activities help her recharge while supporting both physical and mental well-being.

She also draws strength from her faith.

“Faith and prayer help keep me grounded,” Natasha says.

Together, these habits help her maintain perspective while managing the responsibilities that come with a career in clinical research.

Lessons from Natasha La Anyane’s Career Journey

Natasha’s career demonstrates that leadership is built through consistent actions rather than single achievements.

She believes success comes from staying adaptable, communicating effectively, and continuing to grow professionally. Her resilience allows her to move through challenges without losing sight of her goals. Her commitment to accountability helps build trust with those around her.

Most importantly, she continues to define success on her own terms.

“I define success as living according to your values while making progress toward meaningful goals.”

That philosophy continues to shape every stage of her career.

As clinical research continues to evolve with new technologies, treatments, and global collaboration, professionals like Natasha La Anyane remind us that progress depends not only on scientific innovation but also on strong leadership, clear communication, and an unwavering commitment to doing meaningful work with integrity.