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Stratton Journal Research

The Stratton Journal Research desk produces evidence-based market analysis using primary documents, attributable reporting, and human editorial review.

Latest articles

60 published

Gold Hits Multi-Month High Above $4,400 as Rate-Hold Bets Strengthen

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.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Earnings

Yardeni Lifts S&P 500 Year-End Target to 8,400 on “Fabulous Earnings Momentum”

Ed Yardeni raised his 2026 year-end S&P 500 target to 8,400, citing strong earnings momentum and a higher probability of a 'Roaring 2020s' scenario. The move puts him among the most bullish strategists on Wall Street.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · WHEN

Banking

Treasury Yield Curve Bull-Steepens After CPI; 2s/10s and 2s/30s Hit Multi-Month Highs

The Treasury yield curve bull-steepened after a softer CPI print, with the 2s/10s spread reaching about 49 basis points and the 2s/30s about 107 basis points, the steepest since May. The move signals shifting Fed rate-cut expectations and has implications for banks and growth stocks.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · MWG

Earnings

H&R Block Delivers Solid FY26 Results, Raises Dividend 10%, Guides Higher for FY27

H&R Block reported FY26 revenue of $3.95 billion, up 4.9%, raised its dividend by 10%, and guided FY27 revenue to $4.11–4.16 billion with adjusted EPS of $6.04–6.24.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · H

Semiconductors

AI Trade Reignites: Semis and Asia Rally Hard as Kospi Enters Bull Market

U.S. chipmakers and Asian semiconductor stocks surged as the Kospi entered a technical bull market, signaling renewed investor confidence in the AI trade after a recent pullback.

Aug 13, 2026 · 6 min read · BULL

Oil Mixed as Traders Weigh Iran Talks Against Houthi Attacks and Demand Outlook

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.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · MMA

July PPI Due Thursday: Key Inflation Gauge After In-Line CPI

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.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · LIVE

Bob Iger and Josh Kushner to Buy LA Lakers in Record $12.5B Deal

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.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · B

Earnings

Home Depot CEO Ted Decker Takes Temporary Medical Leave; Interim Leadership Named Ahead of Earnings

Home Depot CEO Ted Decker is on temporary medical leave, with operations chief Ann-Marie Campbell and CFO Richard McPhail stepping in. The news comes just before the company's earnings report, raising questions about leadership continuity and the housing market's impact on the retailer.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Earnings

Lumentum Rockets on AI Optical Demand; Record Revenue and Aggressive Q1 Outlook

Lumentum Holdings reported record quarterly revenue of $1.01 billion, up 109% year over year, driven by AI data-center demand for optical components. The company guided Q1 FY27 revenue to $1.225–1.275 billion, well above expectations, as supply constraints persist.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · LITE

Earnings

Nebius Jumps Up to 34% on Explosive AI Cloud Growth and Major Contract Wins

Nebius Group (NBIS) surged as much as 34% after reporting Q2 revenue of $582 million, up 454% year over year, driven by AI cloud demand. The company raised its contracted power target to 5 GW for 2026 and secured multiple deals exceeding $1 billion.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · NBIS

Earnings

Cisco Beats on Strong AI Networking Demand; FY27 Guidance Solid but Stock Mixed After-Hours

Cisco Systems beat Q4 estimates on strong AI networking demand, with revenue up 18% to $17.3B and EPS of $1.22. FY27 guidance is solid but includes margin caution, leaving the stock mixed after-hours.

Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read · BEAT

Earnings

CoreWeave Surges 19% as AI Cloud Demand Drives Record Backlog and Raised Guidance

CoreWeave's Q2 revenue jumped 112% to $2.58 billion, backlog hit $104 billion, and the company raised full-year guidance, sending shares up 19%.

Aug 13, 2026 · 4 min read · CRWV

Existing Home Sales Fell in July as Higher Mortgage Rates Scare Buyers

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

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · AS

Panama Canal Fees Hit Record High Amid El Niño and Regional Tensions

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · HIT

Small Business Optimism Hits Highest Since August 2025

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 6 min read · LOW

Oil Climbs as Iran Signals Hormuz Stays Closed; Ship Attacks Add Supply Fears

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Mortgage Giant Secures $2bn Lifeline After Bad Trade; Mat Ishbia Deal with Oaktree

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Foxconn AI Hardware Sales Drive Profit Beat

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

Aug 12, 2026 · 8 min read · AI

U.S. Stocks Fade Second Straight Session as Oil Rises Ahead of CPI

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 7 min read · AS

Semiconductors

Super Micro Computer Posts Strong Profit, Issues Blowout Guidance on AI Server Demand

Super Micro Computer reported Q4 revenue near $11.1 billion, nearly double year-over-year, and issued Q1 FY27 guidance well above consensus, sending shares up about 10% after hours.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · AI

Earnings

Cisco, Cerebras, Coherent Among Key Earnings Due Today

Cisco, Cerebras, and Coherent report earnings today, offering a fresh read on AI demand across networking, accelerators, and optical components. Cisco's results are the most anticipated, with analysts expecting record revenue and strong AI-related growth.

Aug 12, 2026 · 4 min read · CSCO

GM Commits $4.5 Billion to Shore Up Critical Parts Supply

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 4 min read · GM

Fed’s Collins Signals Openness to September Rate Hike if Inflation Persists

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 7 min read · BACK

Banking

Citi Taps New Healthcare Banking Leadership as Dealmaking Heats Up

Citigroup is restructuring its healthcare investment banking team with new leadership focused on biotech, medtech, and biopharma, signaling a strategic push into a sector poised for an M&A rebound.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · AS

Private-Credit Firms Clamp Down on Loan Sweeteners Amid Rising ‘Shadow Defaults’ Fears

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

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · AS

Nasdaq to Acquire LeveL Markets in Push for Always-On, Off-Exchange Liquidity

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · VS

July CPI Report Due: Markets Brace for Fed Rate Path Clarity Amid Soft Jobs Data

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · BPTH

Austal Receives $1.2B Offer for US Operations from Hanwha

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.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read · B

Education

Oil at $83: How Hormuz Risk Is Reshaping the US Stock Market

With WTI in the low-to-mid $80s and Brent near $87–89, renewed Strait of Hormuz tensions are pressuring US indexes while energy outperforms. Here's how investors can position.

Aug 11, 2026 · 7 min read

Semiconductors

Nvidia Enlists Wall Street Giants for $500 Billion AI Compute Financing Push

Nvidia has signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo, Blackstone, BlackRock, Brookfield, Goldman Sachs, and KKR to mobilize over $500 billion for AI infrastructure financing, treating compute as an investable asset class.

Aug 11, 2026 · 3 min read · NVDA

MarineMax Agrees to $1.5B Sale to Blackstone Portfolio Company; Varex to Be Acquired by Teledyne

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.

Aug 11, 2026 · 3 min read · VREX

Soft July Jobs Data Continues to Temper but Not Eliminate September Rate-Hike Bets Ahead of CPI

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.

Aug 11, 2026 · 3 min read · VS

Research

CrowdStrike’s AI Security Push Drives Record Fal.Con Sellout and Stock Gains

CrowdStrike’s Fal.Con 2026 sold out with over 10,000 attendees, and its Threat Hunting Report shows AI embedded in adversary operations. The stock rose 3.8% on the news, but valuation concerns persist.

Aug 11, 2026 · 4 min read · CRWD

Earnings

Private Credit Stress Signals Emerge Amid Growth

Defaults and non-performing loans in private credit hit multi-year highs even as fundraising remains strong. Managers call it normalization, but analysts watch for further deterioration.

Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read · PBAM

Semiconductors

SpaceX Goes All-In on Nvidia, Reserving a Big Chunk of 2027 GPU Supply

SpaceX will build its AI infrastructure exclusively on Nvidia hardware, CEO Elon Musk said on the company's first post-IPO earnings call. The deal includes co-designing orbital data centers and a significant allocation of Nvidia's 2027 GPU output.

Aug 6, 2026 · 3 min read · NVDA

Starship's Cost and Cadence Goals Reshape the Competitive Calculus for Non-SpaceX Investors

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.

Aug 6, 2026 · 5 min read · CDNS

Earnings

SpaceX Staggered Lockup: How It Works and Full Calendar

SpaceX's IPO lockup is unusually complex, with multiple tranches spread over 18 months. The first major unlock on August 6, 2026, alone exceeds the entire original float, setting up a test of investor appetite.

Aug 6, 2026 · 3 min read · CAN

Earnings

Eli Lilly's Q2 2026: GLP-1 Momentum Drives Revenue Beat, But Charges Cap EPS

Eli Lilly reported a strong Q2 2026, with revenue up 48% on Mounjaro and Zepbound. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance, but EPS guidance was trimmed due to $3.03 per share in acquired IPR&D charges. We analyze the quarter, guidance, and what it means for investors.

Aug 6, 2026 · 5 min read · BEAT

Earnings

SpaceX Lockup Expiration: 911.5 Million Shares Now Eligible, Float Set to Double

SpaceX's first major post-IPO lockup release hits today, with up to 911.5 million shares becoming eligible for sale. The unlock more than doubles the public float and arrives as the stock has already fallen sharply. We analyze the mechanics, the risks, and what it means for investors.

Aug 6, 2026 · 5 min read · SPCX

Semiconductors

AMD Beats Q2 Estimates but Stock Falls 8% as Investors Demand More from AI Story

AMD delivered record Q2 revenue of $11.54 billion, up 50% year over year, and data center sales more than doubled. Yet shares dropped 8% in premarket trading as investors wanted a more aggressive AI forecast and worried about customer concentration and competitive threats.

Aug 5, 2026 · 3 min read · AMD

Earnings

Palantir's Q2 2026 Blowout: AI Monetization, Margin Expansion, and the Valuation Question

Palantir's Q2 2026 results show 93% revenue growth, a 47% operating margin, and a raised outlook. But with the stock up 30% and trading at a forward P/E of 60, investors must weigh the AI tailwinds against a demanding valuation.

Aug 5, 2026 · 4 min read · PLTR

Semiconductors

AMD's Q2 2026 Beat Wasn't Enough: The Market Wanted a Helios Blowout

AMD delivered record revenue and data center growth, but shares fell 9% after hours as investors sought a more aggressive AI forecast. The market's reaction underscores the high bar set for AI chipmakers.

Aug 5, 2026 · 4 min read · AMD

Earnings

SpaceX's $18.4 Billion Capex Shock: AI Infrastructure Spending Outpaces Consensus

SpaceX reported Q2 2026 capex of $18.4 billion, six times higher than a year ago, driven by $15.8 billion in AI infrastructure. Despite a revenue beat, shares fell as investors weighed the scale of spending against near-term profitability.

Aug 5, 2026 · 5 min read · BEAT

Research

HSBC's 2025 Profit Slips to $29.9 Billion as Share Count Falls

HSBC reported 2025 accounting profit of $29.9 billion, down from $32.3 billion in 2024, while continuing to shrink its share count. The bank also weighed asset sales in Australia and the UK.

Aug 4, 2026 · 3 min read · HSBC

Earnings

Palantir's Q2 2026 Blowout: Revenue Surges 93%, But Valuation Stretches to $350 Billion

Palantir delivered record Q2 2026 results with 93% revenue growth and a Rule of 40 score of 155%, but the stock's implied valuation of $350 billion raises questions about sustainability.

Aug 4, 2026 · 4 min read · PLTR

Semiconductors

AMD's Q2 2025: AI Momentum Meets Valuation Scrutiny

AMD heads into its Q2 earnings report with data center revenue expected to double, but a demanding valuation and insider selling raise questions about whether the AI-driven rally can hold.

Aug 4, 2026 · 5 min read · AMD

Earnings

Palantir Q2 Earnings: What to Watch as the Market Prices in a Growth Test

Palantir reports Q2 earnings on Aug. 4 after the close. The stock has fallen 40% from its peak, and analysts expect 80% revenue growth. The company's financials show accelerating revenue and a strong balance sheet, but valuation and AI narrative risks loom.

Aug 2, 2026 · 4 min read · PLTR

Research

Stock Yards Bancorp: Record Q2 Earnings, Analyst Targets Rise, but Valuation Cautions

Stock Yards Bancorp reported record Q2 earnings, beating estimates on fee income and margin expansion. Analysts raised price targets, but the stock's valuation and risks warrant a balanced view.

Aug 2, 2026 · 4 min read · SYBT

Research

Meta's AI Spending Spree Crushes Free Cash Flow, but the Market Sees a Bargain

Meta's aggressive AI infrastructure buildout has sent free cash flow tumbling, yet the stock trades at a forward P/E of 15.8, below its five-year average. Investors are weighing the near-term cash burn against the potential for AI-driven ad growth.

Aug 2, 2026 · 5 min read · META

Earnings

ON Semiconductor Heads Into Earnings With AI Optimism Priced In

ON Semiconductor reports Q2 results Monday after the bell. The stock has rallied 57% year to date on AI power optimism, but valuation and margin questions linger.

Aug 2, 2026 · 4 min read · ON

Earnings

SpaceX's First Earnings Report: Starlink Growth, AI Costs, and Starship Ambitions Take Center Stage

SpaceX reports Q2 earnings Tuesday, its first since going public. Investors will scrutinize Starlink's growth, AI-related expenses, and Starship progress as the stock hovers near post-IPO lows.

Aug 2, 2026 · 4 min read

Earnings

Amazon's AI Spending Spree: Q2 2026 Results Show AWS Strength, But CapEx Concerns Loom

Amazon's Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, driven by AWS's fastest growth in 18 quarters, but a $20 billion capex increase and a $26 billion free cash flow swing raise questions about the sustainability of its AI investment.

Aug 2, 2026 · 5 min read · AMZN

Earnings

Apple's Q3 FY2026: Supply Constraints, AI Demand, and the Margin Question

Apple's fiscal Q3 2026 results were overshadowed by component shortages tied to the AI boom, leading to a sharp sell-off. Revenue drivers remain solid, but margin pressure and supply risks persist.

Aug 2, 2026 · 4 min read · AAPL

Market Analysis

Nebius Rides AI Infrastructure Boom, but Valuation and Execution Risks Loom

Nebius Group has surged on AI infrastructure demand, but its valuation and execution risks warrant scrutiny.

Aug 1, 2026 · 5 min read · NBIS

Research

SanDisk's AI Memory Boom Faces a China-Supply Reality Check

SanDisk's stock has surged on AI memory demand, but a 45% pullback and China's expanding memory industry raise questions about the durability of the shortage-driven rally.

Aug 1, 2026 · 5 min read · SNDK

Semiconductors

Amazon's AI Bet Pays Off as AWS Growth Accelerates

Amazon's latest earnings show AWS growing 37% year-over-year, with operating income up over 60%, signaling that its massive AI investments are starting to yield returns.

Aug 1, 2026 · 3 min read · NVDA

Earnings

Palantir's Valuation Reaches New Extremes Ahead of Q2 Earnings

Palantir's market value has surged to $295 billion, yet its stock is down 23% over the past year. With a trailing P/E of 138 and revenue growth of 84.7%, the market is pricing in perfection. Can the company deliver?

Aug 1, 2026 · 3 min read · PLTR

Tech Giants

Apple's Q3 2026 Earnings: Record Sales, Supply Chain Strains, and a CEO Transition

Apple reported record Q3 revenue and strong iPhone growth, but a weak forecast tied to memory chip shortages and supply constraints sent shares down sharply. The results mark Tim Cook's final earnings call as CEO.

Jul 31, 2026 · 4 min read · AAPL

Semiconductors

Micron's AI-Driven Surge Faces Supply and Valuation Tests

Micron's stock has fallen 27% in a month despite record revenue and profits, as investors weigh AI-driven demand against looming supply increases and valuation concerns.

Jul 31, 2026 · 4 min read · NVDA