Research & Analysis

Spot gold rose more than 1% to a two-month high above $4,400 as in-line CPI data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold rates steady, boosting demand for the metal as a hedge.

Crude prices eased after multi-day gains as investors balanced stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and Houthi ship attacks against soft demand forecasts from energy agencies.

Investors await July producer price data, which will test the soft-landing narrative after a benign CPI and weak jobs report. The report could influence Fed rate expectations ahead of the September FOMC.

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger and Thrive Capital's Josh Kushner are set to acquire a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation, pending NBA approval. The deal underscores surging sports franchise values and media rights potential.

Existing home sales dropped 1.7% in July as mortgage rates climbed, pushing the median price near a record and deepening affordability concerns.

Transit fees at the Panama Canal have reached an all-time high as El Niño-driven low water levels and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East squeeze capacity and drive up shipping costs.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8, the highest since August 2025, signaling renewed confidence among Main Street firms despite mixed labor market data.

Brent crude hovers near $90 as Iran signals the Strait of Hormuz remains closed without U.S. concessions, and fresh ship attacks heighten supply fears. Investors weigh short-term spikes against prolonged disruption scenarios.

Billionaire Mat Ishbia arranged a last-minute $2 billion lifeline from Oaktree after a failed takeover and mistimed interest-rate bets pushed his mortgage firm toward distress. The deal highlights the risks of rate-sensitive lending and the growing role of private credit in housing finance.

Foxconn's quarterly profit beat expectations, driven by strong AI server and hardware demand, signaling robust supply-chain health for the AI buildout.

U.S. stocks fell for a second day as oil prices climbed on Hormuz supply fears, with investors awaiting CPI data for clues on Fed policy.

General Motors is allocating $4.5 billion to secure critical components, a move that underscores the industry's shift toward supply-chain resilience amid geopolitical and EV transition risks.

Boston Fed President Susan Collins said she would support a September rate increase if inflation remains elevated, while noting the disproportionate burden on lower-income households.

Private credit managers are tightening loan terms as borrowers delay interest payments, raising concerns that 'shadow defaults' exceed reported rates.

Nasdaq agreed to acquire LeveL Markets, the third-largest U.S. off-exchange equity venue, to expand its dark-pool footprint and support 24-hour trading. Terms were not disclosed.

Economists expect July CPI to rise 0.1% month-over-month, a cooling that could solidify a Fed hold in September. A hot print, however, would revive hike bets and pressure tech/growth stocks.

South Korea's Hanwha has made a $1.2 billion offer for Austal's U.S. shipbuilding operations, a move that could reshape the American naval industrial base and test the limits of foreign ownership in a strategic sector.

MarineMax agrees to a $1.5 billion all-cash sale to a Blackstone portfolio company, while Teledyne acquires Varex Imaging, signaling renewed M&A activity in consumer and industrial sectors.

July's jobs report showed a loss of 23,000 positions and downward revisions, yet markets still price meaningful odds of a September rate hike. With CPI next, the Fed's path remains uncertain.

SpaceX's Starship promises to slash launch costs and boost flight rates, but the timeline is uncertain. For investors in launch providers, satellite operators, and the broader space economy, the implications are profound: opportunity for some, existential risk for others.