Market Preview: Gold at $4,400 as Fed Weighs Rate Hike
Gold is back above $4,400 an ounce while the Federal Reserve debates a rate hike — a combination that normally works against a metal paying no yield. Today's preview covers the softer dollar, the closed Strait of Hormuz, and why Wednesday's Fed minutes are the event that matters.
Retail Sales Drop 0.6% as Small Caps Hit Record High
Retail sales fell 0.6% in July and consumer sentiment sank to 51, yet the Russell 2000 closed at an all-time high as rate-hike fears faded. The bond market disagreed — the ten-year yield rose to 4.68% while oil spiked near $82 on Strait of Hormuz tensions.
Super Micro Guides $72B as AI Stocks Sell Off Anyway
Super Micro guided to as much as $72 billion in AI server sales next year, roughly $19 billion above Wall Street's model, and the stock jumped about 9% after hours — hours after AI stocks had sold off all day. Today's preview decodes why the doubt has shifted from demand to financing, with yields near 4.7%, crude around $83, and the July inflation report landing at 8:30.
Nvidia's $500B AI War Chest as Oil Surges | Aug 11, 2026
Nvidia lined up more than $500 billion from six Wall Street giants for AI data centers, and the stock fell anyway on circular financing concerns. Crude surged roughly 5% as Hormuz talks stalled, the 10-year yield topped 4.7%, and September rate hike odds moved to roughly even ahead of Wednesday's CPI.