In Need Of A Jump Start
· Holiday rally pushes the S&P 500 back up near all-time highs.
· Power capacity is the bottleneck in the AI revolution.
· Not much to get excited about (in either direction) in capital markets.
General Thoughts On Markets And Other Things
· Earnings from the largest company in the world didn’t disappoint.
· But the price action validates an ongoing character change in the AI theme.
· Markets got some clarity on uncertainties that have been worrying investors.
Window Of Vulnerability
· S&P 500 at risk of breaking levels that would trigger systematic selling by CTA and vol-control funds.
· Markets repricing for less accommodative Fed.
· Nvidia earnings on tap – can it save the AI theme.
Is Capitalism Under Threat?
· End of the shutdown sparks a risk-on rally.
· Mega-cap tech spending spree getting stretched.
· The divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ is undermining capitalism.
Corporate Profits Fueling Equity Gains
· Q3 earnings helping to push equities higher – Mega Cap Tech reports on deck.
· Rarely mentioned, but global equities are having a great year.
· Is the energy sector underappreciated by investors?
Some General Thoughts
· Asset prices had a good week with gold showing its shine.
· U.S. and Chinese officials posture ahead of Trump/Xi meeting.
· This isn’t just a trade war – it’s for who sets global order over the next century.
Under Threat
· Tariff headlines drive volatility in both directions.
· There is a lot at stake in this U.S./China conflict.
· Diversification is not a dirty fifteen letter word.
Trade The Narrative; Own The Truth
· Data is sparse with the shutdown, but what we got wasn’t good.
· Lots of calls to embrace the everything rally – raises my skepticism.
· Debasement strategy becoming mainstream – as it should.
A Time For Vigilance And Prudence
· Markets await a slate of economic data, including the September jobs report on Friday if we’re able to avert a government shutdown.
· A good time to revisit return expectations and your financial objectives.
Tough To Embrace From Here, But Won’t Fight It
· Equities embracing the view that the Fed is cutting into an economic soft landing.
· While a bit frothy and overbought, equities ride the long coattails of constructive monetary, fiscal, and liquidity dynamics.
· All while the labor market looks more and more sick.
It’s All Riding On Asset Prices Staying Elevated
· Equities continue to rally on expectations of rate cuts and a reacceleration in global growth.
· Inflated asset prices keeping the economy afloat.
· Last week’s annual payroll revisions show a labor market that is much weaker than originally thought.
Back To A ‘Bad News’ Is ‘Good’ Market
· Equity markets brush off soft jobs report.
· Long-term interest rates around the globe are pressing higher.
· Real assets crushing paper assets in 2025.
Powell Leans Into Rate Cuts
· Powell open-minded to cutting rates.
· Risk assets celebrate, but not much progress above previous all-time highs.
· All eyes on earnings from the largest company in the world (NVDA) with most investors all bulled up.
Market Thoughts
· Earnings and the AI narrative continue to boost US equities.
· Foreign capital continues to flow into US assets.
· Lite week in terms of data: focus will be on Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole.
I’ve Got A Fish Story To Tell You
· Nasdaq and S&P 500 riding Mega-Cap Tech cocktails.
· We’re nearing the point at which we’ll be able to measure the tariff impacts on inflation and growth.
· Few of us have it in us or the opportunity to capture the big returns.
Lies, Damned Lies, And Statistics
· That was a weak jobs report, not just for July, but for all of 2025.
· Focus on the data, not the theatrics that come with it.
· Was Friday's market action kneejerk or the right read – time will tell.
Markets Moving On From Tariffs
· Trade deals aplenty with equity markets having already priced in much of it.
· Q2 earnings beating expectations with a big week of reports ahead.
· Turning ‘tactically’ cautious with sentiment and positioning fully reloaded.
Monetary Debasement On Full Display
· Mega-cap leadership continues to pull equities higher.
· Don’t tell the stock market, but economic growth for 2025 is anemic.
· Structural view – real assets > financial assets.
The Customer Is Always Right
● Teflon market taking latest tariff actions in stride.
● Global liquidity inflecting higher – tailwind for risk assets.
● Complacency setting in, with most assets priced for only good outcomes.
Don’t Fight The Tape, But Not The Place To Get Overconfident
Epic rally in equities that are looking through everything.
Senate passes One Big Beautiful Bill and July 9th tariff deadline isn’t a real deadline.
Lots to think about with the slide in the U.S. dollar.

