insights

📰 Summary

Despite a series of new tariff threats from President Trump, U.S. stock markets remained steady, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq finishing the week near record highs. Trump’s announcements included a 35% tariff on Canadian goods and a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, with more countries such as Japan and South Korea facing levies unless trade deals are reached by Aug. 1.

Still, investors shrugged off the headlines, betting that most of these threats will not materialize or will be walked back. Analysts point to resilient inflation data, corporate earnings optimism, and strong consumer activity as buffers against potential shocks.

Delta Air Lines and Levi Strauss raised guidance, while bond yields climbed and Bitcoin hit a record high. However, some analysts warn that markets may be overly complacent about the long-term effects of the tariffs.

💹 Market Reaction

• S&P 500: -0.3% Friday, but hit all-time high Thursday

• Nasdaq: -0.2%, also near record

• Dow Jones: -0.6% Friday, -1% for the week

• 10Y Treasury Yield: rose to 4.42%

• Bitcoin: new all-time high at $118,861

• Copper: +9.1% weekly gain (highest since 2022)

🔍 Key Takeaways

• Markets remain calm despite aggressive tariff headlines

• Analysts expect Trump will de-escalate before economic damage occurs

• AI-driven large caps remain expensive; mid- and small-cap stocks could be undervalued

• Corporate earnings and inflation data next week will guide sentiment

📰 Summary

Nvidia’s surge lifted the Nasdaq to a new all-time high Wednesday, even as the Trump administration announced new tariffs on goods from six countries. Despite trade tensions, all three major U.S. indexes rose. Nvidia’s stock climbed 1.8%, briefly pushing its valuation above $4 trillion—an all-time global record.

Markets are increasingly shrugging off tariff volatility, focusing instead on strong corporate earnings and a resilient economy. Investors are also watching the Fed, which remains split on whether to cut rates this year. Meanwhile, volatility dropped, bond yields declined, and traders prepared for upcoming earnings reports.

💹 Market Reaction

• Nvidia: +1.8% to $3.974 trillion market cap

• Nasdaq: +0.9% (new record)

• S&P 500: +0.6%

• Dow: +0.5%

• VIX: fell below 16

• 10Y Treasury Yield: ↓ to 4.34%

• Copper: -3.6%

• Williams-Sonoma: +2.7%, Stanley Black & Decker: +1.7%

🔍 Key Takeaways

• Nvidia leads tech rally despite escalating tariffs

• Market expects Fed to remain cautious, with some open to cuts

• Signs of economic resilience (strong demand, tame inflation) boosting optimism

• EU trade discussions ongoing; no Trump letter received (yet)

📰 Summary

Markets fell Monday as President Trump announced sweeping 25% tariffs on trading partners including Japan and South Korea, rattling investors. The S&P 500 dropped 0.8%, with the Dow and Nasdaq down 0.9%. Bond yields and oil prices rose, indicating inflation concerns. The president also warned of an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with the Brics bloc. Tesla tumbled 6.8% after Trump criticized Elon Musk’s political party.

💹 Market Reaction

• S&P 500: -0.8% to 6229.98

• Nasdaq / Dow: -0.9%

• Brent crude: +1.9%

• 10Y Treasury Yield: ↑ to 4.394%

• Tesla: -6.8%, worst since June 5

• Bitcoin: ~$108,000

• VIX: +9%

• Dollar Index: +0.6%

🔍 Key Takeaways

• Trump’s tariff escalation revived trade uncertainty, dragging trade-sensitive stocks.

• The market is fatigued by Trump’s erratic policy announcements.

• Despite volatility, retail investors remain optimistic, “buying the dip.”

• Talks with the EU and Asia remain in flux ahead of the Aug. 1 tariff deadline.