Highlights of the Day: Market Upward Trend, Hurricane Idalia, Cryptocurrencies, and Amazon’s Stance
1. Market Rally Amid Fed Influence:
Magnificent 7 megacaps drive S&P 500 up 1.5%, Nasdaq gains 1.7%, Info Tech surges over 2%. VIX hits lowest level in a month. NVDA rises 4%, aided by weak data and Google AI partnership.
2. Economic Indicators and Fed Path:
JOLTS reports unexpected drop in job openings. Wells Fargo sees Fed’s “soft landing” ahead. Consumer confidence dips, prompting rally in equities and Treasury yields. Rate hike expectations shift post-Powell’s speech.
3. Hurricane Idalia’s Impact:
Hurricane Idalia approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, could impact certain E&C stocks. Citi analyst lists Quanta Services and Fluor among potential gainers. Hurricane’s short-term effects on energy/water infrastructure considered.
4. Crypto Progress:
Bitcoin surges above $27,000 as federal court vacates SEC ruling on Grayscale’s Bitcoin ETF. Cryptocurrencies and industry-exposed stocks rise. Grayscale CEO calls it a significant step for American investors and Bitcoin exposure.
5. Amazon CEO Takes a Stand:
Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy asserts need for commitment and alignment with the company’s three-day-a-week office policy. Recent reports of tracking and penalties for remote work spark debate.
