AI Alarm Rattles the Cages as a Big Fed Decision Awaits
Amid dystopian worries and calls for a slowdown, AI leaders speak out. Oh, and we’ve got some other stuff happening too.
Amid dystopian worries and calls for a slowdown, AI leaders speak out. Oh, and we’ve got some other stuff happening too.
When’s the last time you got a call from the Bureau of Labor Statistics? Let’s look at employment and why I kinda agree more with Christopher Waller than Kevin Warsh right now….
Trump vows economic pain for Iran; my colleague has an intriguing (and smart) economic plan; bracing for the week ahead.
I’d like to respectfully disagree with the Cleveland Fed president, make a few points about inflation, and take a look at Iran.
Another day, another record? Sort of.
The S&P 500 managed to set a new all-time intraday record high as well as an all-time record closing high. Why? Inflation, or the lack thereof.
For the month of July, headline PPI printed at +0.0% month over month versus the +0.2% consensus and at +4.7% year over year versus expectations for a +4.9% print. At the core (ex. food and energy), PPI hit the tape at +0.2% month over month versus +0.3% consensus and at +4.2% year over year, even with consensus about down from +4.7% in June.
As it now becomes all but impossible for the Fed to raise short-term rates any time soon, at least not backed by logic, the yield paid by the U.S. two-year Treasury note contracted by 5 BPS to 4.15%, and the yield on the U.S. 10-year note dropped 4 BPS to 4.65%. This pushed equities higher.
The benchmark S&P 500 closed +0.6%, as the Nasdaq Composite gained +0.8%. Eight of the 11 S&P sector SPDR ETFs closed in the green, led by Communication Services ($XLC). Materials ($XLB) led the losers.
Workday ($WDAY) led the S&P 500 higher on takeover rumors. It was the memory trade that ruled the day, though, as SanDisk ($SNDK), Micron ($MU) and Western Digital ($WDC) all had nice days. Cisco Systems ($CSCO) took a beating after posting disappointing guidance along with what looked, otherwise, to be a pretty decent earnings report.
Have a great evening, gang. Dougie will be out again tomorrow and, God willing, I will be back to work through the day with you all. Now, go get some grub and maybe work out a little. Sarge out.
Positions: Long SNDK, MU equity.
Let’s look at how Trump holds off big attack on Iran and the markets look optimistic, a joint plan for the yen, and earnings on tap for this week.
I don’t think it’s ugly enough for a 1987 repeat, but just the idea can put a trader on edge. Let’s check the latest of the markets, Iran conflict, the Fed.
Let’s check the latest in the war on Iran, how SanDisk climbed along with the semiconductors, the Fed’s new concern … and, wow, the indirect bidders!
Let’s check how far the Magnificent 7 market cap fell in June, a strange Korean broker drama, and Warren Buffett’s caution on Gates Foundation.
Stocks in Asia and Europe get boost as markets appear to believe the Iran peace agreement. Also, let’s check the S&P’s chart and the week ahead.