US stocks closed higher Friday, with the S&P 500 up +0.62% to 7,758 and the Nasdaq up +1.30%, after a softer-than-expected jobs report cooled expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike in September. Gold jumped and the dollar edged lower.
AUGUST 8TH, 2026
South Korean retail investors purchased $4.6 billion in US stocks during July. This represents the largest monthly total since January 2026 and a 627% increase from the previous month. July also marked the first time since February that these investors bought more US equities than domestic ones.
Read moreCredit default swaps (CDS) for major technology companies have increased year-to-date. Oracle's 5-year CDS rose 70 basis points to a record 215 basis points. Broadcom, Meta, Nvidia, Amazon, and Alphabet also experienced increases in their CDS.
Read moreThe Chinese Yuan has reached its strongest level against the US dollar in over three years. This appreciation marks a significant shift in the currency pair.
Read moreUS crude oil inventories have fallen for 17 consecutive weeks, marking a record streak. Since early April, total inventories dropped by 166 million barrels to 712 million barrels, reaching their lowest level since March 1984. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) also saw a significant decline, falling by 111 million barrels to 305 million barrels, a 40-year low.
Read moreADNOC confirmed that one of its vessels was targeted in the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday. The incident occurred in the critical shipping lane, raising concerns about potential disruptions to oil supply.
Read moreBerkshire Hathaway deployed $19.8 billion from its cash reserves to become a net buyer of equities in the second quarter. The company purchased $23.5 billion in equity securities while selling $3.7 billion. This move follows 14 consecutive quarters of cash accumulation.
Read moreS&P 500 companies are exceeding earnings per share estimates by 29.2%, above the 5-year average of 7.0%. The blended net margin for the S&P 500 has reached an all-time high of 16.9%. Even excluding large one-off gains, earnings growth remains strong at 32.0% year-over-year.
Read moreOptions trading reached a record high this week, contributing to a surge in the S&P 500. The VIX, a key volatility gauge, is now near its 2026 low. This activity suggests strong bullish sentiment and a lower perception of market risk.
Read moreThe yen's initial rally following a joint U.S.-Japan intervention a week ago is now waning. The currency is drifting lower, suggesting the intervention's impact may be short-lived. This development affects traders holding or exposed to the Japanese yen.
Read moreAn ADNOC ship was targeted by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This incident marks a direct attack on commercial shipping in a critical oil chokepoint. The event raises immediate concerns about oil supply disruptions and regional stability.
Read moreAn Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only if the United States fully accepts Iran's conditions. This issue is separate from ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Oman. The closure of this vital shipping lane impacts global oil supplies.
Read moreIraq's Oil Minister announced plans for a new oil pipeline. This pipeline will transport oil from Basra to the Turkish port of Ceyhan and the Syrian port of Baniyas. The project aims to increase Iraq's oil export capacity and diversify its export routes, potentially enhancing global oil supply stability.
Read moreIraqi oil exports have declined by 75% following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iraqi Oil Minister. This significant reduction in supply could lead to a sharp increase in global oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for oil shipments.
Read moreBitcoin is trading at $64,993, a 0.1% increase. Ether is also up 0.17% to $1,916. Solana rose 1.44% to $74.87, while Cardano declined 1.44% to $0.1993. These figures reflect recent price movements in major cryptocurrencies.
Read moreNatural gas prices are losing momentum. This occurs despite ongoing geopolitical risks. The market's reaction suggests participants may be disregarding potential supply disruptions. This indicates a neutral to bearish sentiment for natural gas.
Read moreTalkTalk is reportedly in discussions with Octopus concerning its network arm. Sky reported the development. These talks could indicate upcoming changes within the telecommunications sector.
Read moreUkrainian forces attacked Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries, causing fires at both facilities, according to the Ukrainian general staff. The Syzran refinery is part of Rosneft's network and has a capacity to process 8.5 million metric tons of crude oil annually.
Read moreUkrainian military strikes hit Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries, according to the Ukrainian general staff. The attacks resulted in fires at both facilities. This action follows previous Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Read moreChinese investors have driven 14 consecutive sessions of inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds, marking the longest streak in four months. This sustained demand from China, a major market, could support gold prices. The World Gold Council reported that Chinese gold ETFs saw their eighth consecutive monthly inflow in April, attracting RMB3.5 billion ($498 million), with total assets under management reaching RMB306 billion ($45 billion).
Read moreOngoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are contributing to a diesel supply shortage. This squeeze is projected to intensify as the Northern Hemisphere winter approaches, potentially driving up prices. Traders should monitor diesel futures and related energy assets.
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