Market-Digest

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,428.78 +15.60 +0.21% NASDAQ 24,876.91 -55.17 -0.22% DOW 52,747.32 +537.24 +1.03% Russell 2000 2,953.80 +5.77 +0.20% VIX 18.21 -0.46 -2.46% A split tape. The Dow tacked on 537 points while the NASDAQ closed red — the rotation out of semis and speculative growth into cyclicals kept broad indices nearly flat and masked violent moves underneath. Breaking News & Macro Events Oil Prices Plunge as US-Iran Tensions Ease — CNBC Crude gave back its war premium in a single session, with WTI down 3.2% to $78.97 and Brent off 3.9% to $83.80. The catalyst: strikes on Iran were suspended to allow negotiations, and US and Omani intermediaries met to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of global oil flows through that chokepoint, so the de-escalation removes the single largest supply-risk bid in the energy complex. The relief is real but the agreement is fragile — this is a repricing of probability, not a resolution. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,413.18 +1.20 +0.02% NASDAQ 24,932.08 -43.74 -0.18% DOW 52,210.08 +262.83 +0.51% Russell 2000 2,948.03 +18.04 +0.62% VIX 18.67 +0.10 +0.54% Headline indices masked a violent rotation underneath: the Dow and Russell 2000 led while the Nasdaq closed red, dragged by a sharp semiconductor selloff. Breaking News & Macro Events US and Iran Pause Military Strikes; Oil Tumbles — Bloomberg A fragile memorandum of understanding paused US–Iran military strikes, triggering a relief rally across risk assets and collapsing the geopolitical premium in crude. WTI fell 3.91% to $81.88 and Brent dropped 5.63% to $87.64 — the single largest input into today’s cross-asset move. The Strait of Hormuz remains a live vulnerability, so the de-escalation is best read as a pause rather than a resolution. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,408.30 -90.66 -1.21% NASDAQ 25,137.69 -553.21 -2.15% DOW 51,711.65 -506.93 -0.97% Russell 2000 2,940.16 -19.78 -0.67% VIX 18.70 +2.00 +11.98% A broad risk-off session: the Nasdaq led losses as megacap tech sold off on AI-capex fears, and the VIX jumped nearly 12% back toward the high-teens. Breaking News & Macro Events Oil Surges on Middle East Escalation; Houthi Attacks on Saudi Tankers — CNBC Two Saudi oil tankers were reportedly attacked in the Red Sea, sending Brent crude above $100/barrel and WTI up nearly 4% toward $92. The move stoked inflation fears and pushed the 10-year Treasury yield to the year’s highs — a double blow for equity valuations already stretched on AI spending. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,498.96 -10.24 -0.14% NASDAQ 25,690.90 -146.30 -0.57% DOW 52,218.58 -6.06 -0.01% Russell 2000 2,959.94 -27.46 -0.92% VIX 16.64 -0.41 -2.40% Breaking News & Macro Events Trump Administration Announces New Tariffs on 60 Countries — Marketplace Sweeping new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% will replace existing import duties expiring July 25, with steeper levies on select partners — 25% on Brazil and 50% on Canada effective August 19. A fresh tariff wave lands squarely on an inflation picture the Fed is already weighing ahead of next week’s meeting, and raises cost pressure for import-heavy retail and industrial names. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,509.20 +65.92 +0.89% NASDAQ 25,837.21 +329.14 +1.29% DOW 52,224.64 +385.38 +0.74% Russell 2000 2,987.40 +44.97 +1.53% VIX 17.05 -1.60 -8.58% Breaking News & Macro Events Trump announces 50% tariffs on Canadian exports — CNBC The administration issued proclamations for 50% duties on a range of Canadian goods (dairy, beer, plywood, hockey equipment), effective in 30 days. Energy, potash, critical minerals, autos, and steel are exempted. Prime Minister Carney is reportedly planning retaliatory measures. The USTR also signaled additional tariff actions against multiple countries “soon,” including a proposed 12.5% Section 301 tariff on imports from 60 economies — a meaningful escalation of trade-policy risk. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,443.28 -14.41 -0.19% NASDAQ 25,508.07 -12.17 -0.05% DOW 51,839.26 -307.16 -0.59% Russell 2000 2,942.43 -19.79 -0.67% VIX 18.65 -0.09 -0.48% Stocks drifted modestly lower to start the week. The Dow lagged (-0.59%) while the Nasdaq held nearly flat as semiconductors and Big Tech cushioned the tape. The VIX stayed subdued below 19, a sign that despite the headlines, options markets aren’t pricing panic. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,457.69 -76.08 -1.01% NASDAQ 25,520.24 -361.70 -1.40% DOW 52,146.42 -406.55 -0.77% Russell 2000 2,962.22 -12.35 -0.42% VIX 18.77 +2.06 +12.33% The chip-led selloff deepened into a broad risk-off Friday, with the Nasdaq down 1.4% as the semiconductor complex extended its worst week since the April 2025 tariff shock. Oil jumped on Middle East tensions, the VIX spiked above 18, and mega-cap tech (GOOG -3.0%, META -3.1%) led losses despite a strong TSMC quarter. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,533.77 -38.63 -0.51% NASDAQ 25,881.95 -387.28 -1.47% DOW 52,552.97 -105.67 -0.20% Russell 2000 2,974.57 -1.69 -0.06% VIX 16.73 +1.06 +6.76% A chip-led risk-off session: TSMC’s record quarter came with a sharply higher capex guide, and semiconductors dragged the Nasdaq down nearly 1.5%. Defensives and staples cushioned the Dow. Breaking News & Macro Events US imposes 25% tariffs on Brazil, effective July 22 — CNN Business Washington announced 25% tariffs on Brazilian imports citing unfair trade practices, taking effect July 22. Coffee, beef, oranges, oil/gas, and aerospace parts are exempted. Brazil’s Lula pledged countermeasures and WTO action — a fresh trade-war flashpoint that added to the day’s risk-off tone. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,572.40 +28.81 +0.38% NASDAQ 26,269.23 +162.22 +0.62% DOW 52,658.64 +150.37 +0.29% Russell 2000 2,976.26 +11.50 +0.39% VIX 15.67 -0.83 -5.03% Breaking News & Macro Events Trump Administration Revamps Tariff Strategy After Court Setback — Al Jazeera / Tax Foundation After a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling struck down the IEEPA-based tariffs, the administration has relaunched its trade agenda through a new legal approach targeting 60+ economies, including the EU. Tax Foundation now pegs the levies as the largest U.S. tax increase as a share of GDP since 1993, averaging roughly $1,500 per household in 2026 — a persistent headwind for import-heavy retail and consumer names. ...

Market Snapshot Index Close Change % Change S&P 500 7,543.59 +28.25 +0.38% NASDAQ 26,107.01 +233.83 +0.90% DOW 52,508.27 +9.63 +0.02% Russell 2000 2,964.76 +11.60 +0.39% VIX 16.50 -0.65 -3.79% Breaking News & Macro Events Inflation Cools, Trimming Fed Rate-Hike Odds — Bloomberg A softer-than-expected June CPI print (index down ~0.4% month-over-month, per FRED data through June) eased fears of a near-term Fed rate hike and sent Treasuries higher. Market-implied odds of a July move fell sharply, reinforcing expectations the Fed holds steady at its July 28–29 meeting. The relief drove the risk-on tone, with the VIX sliding nearly 4% to 16.5. ...