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.
Applied Materials Falls on Margins as S&P 500 Hits Record
Applied Materials posted the biggest quarter-to-quarter revenue jump in its history and the stock fell about 5% anyway — the second straight day a beat-and-raise was punished over margins. Today's preview breaks down what that pattern says about the AI trade, and why the S&P 500 still closed at a record.
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.
Gold Nears $4,400, Silver Tops $64 as Iran Rules Out Talks
Iran ruled out direct talks with Washington and warned the Strait of Hormuz stays closed without U.S. concessions, sending crude higher for a third straight session and pushing gold toward $4,400 and silver past $64. Today's preview covers the metals move, Friday's record close, and what Wednesday's inflation print could change.