U.S. Stocks Trend (August 10): Nonfarm Payrolls Drop by 23K, Inflation Takes Over to Test New Highs
US Stock Market Weekly Review (August 10th): Nonfarm Payrolls Drop by 23K, Inflation Takes Over Testing New Highs
Last week, US stocks closed with their strongest weekly gains since mid-April, led by a tech rebound and adjusted rate expectations. The S&P 500 and Dow hit new record closing highs. Weekend developments centered on Strait of Hormuz negotiations, Berkshire Hathaway's capital deployment, and US government funding. The core focus this week shifts to whether incoming inflation data can justify current market pricing for interest rates.
The July Nonfarm Payrolls report showed a loss of 23,000 jobs, missing expectations and leading to a decline in September rate hike probabilities. This eased pressure on tech valuations. However, discussions between Iran and Oman on Strait of Hormuz navigation are pending execution, and renewed attacks on energy facilities kept oil prices volatile, with potential implications for inflation.
Berkshire Hathaway reported strong earnings and shifted its capital allocation strategy, ending a long streak of net stock sales and making significant new investments, including in Alphabet. The US Senate passed a stopgap funding bill, reducing near-term government shutdown risks.
This week's calendar is dominated by key inflation readings (July CPI & PPI), retail sales data, and earnings from AI and tech infrastructure companies like CoreWeave, Lumentum, Cisco, and Applied Materials. The market expects CPI to show a moderation. If inflation data is benign, supporting stable or lower Treasury yields, and corporate earnings remain solid, indices may find further upside. Conversely, a resurgence in inflation or rising oil prices could trigger a swift reversal in interest rate expectations, testing the market's record highs.
marsbit08/10 02:32