Wall Street Morning Report: U.S. Stocks Suffer Collective Setback, Apple Hits New High Against the Trend, Tonight's CPI and Waller's Hearing to Determine Interest Rate Path
Wall Street Morning Report: U.S. stocks fell collectively, while Apple hit a new record high. Key events including tonight's CPI data and Fed Chair Walsh's testimony will set the direction for interest rates.
Markets experienced a sharp "risk-off" move due to escalating Middle East tensions and unexpected hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve. Major indices declined, with the Nasdaq Composite leading losses, down 1.55%. The VIX fear index surged over 14%.
Geopolitical tensions spiked as the U.S. conducted consecutive airstrikes on Iran and announced a maritime blockade of Iranian ports, set to begin on July 15. This triggered a panic-driven rally in oil, with WTI crude soaring over 9% to breach $80 per barrel.
Safe-haven flows bolstered the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields, while gold plunged nearly 3%, losing its $4,000 level. Rate markets now price a nearly 50% chance of a Fed rate hike in July, up significantly from prior expectations, following hawkish commentary from Fed Governor Waller.
The tech sector, particularly AI-related stocks, faced intense selling pressure. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 4%. Notable decliners included SK Hynix (down 9% on its second trading day as an ADR), Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. In contrast, Apple shares rose 0.63% to a record high, viewed as a stable haven away from the costly AI data center arms race.
Key events to watch include the U.S. June CPI inflation data and Fed Chair Walsh's Congressional testimony tonight, which will critically influence the Fed's policy path. Major bank earnings also begin today. The formal implementation of the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran on July 15 and upcoming events like TSMC's Q2 earnings and a SpaceX Starship test flight remain in focus.
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