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U.S. Jobless Claims Fall While Retail Sales Slow in June

The latest U.S. economic data painted a mixed picture of the economy, with the labor market remaining resilient while consumer spending showed signs of moderation.

Initial jobless claims fell to 208,000, beating expectations of 216,000 and improving from the previous week’s revised reading of 216,000. Continuing jobless claims also declined to 1.805 million from 1.821 million, coming in below the 1.820 million consensus estimate. The data suggests layoffs remain limited and the labor market continues to hold up despite elevated interest rates.

Consumer spending, however, showed signs of slowing. Headline retail sales rose 0.2% in June, matching economists’ expectations but decelerating sharply from May’s 1.0% increase. More concerning, core retail sales, which exclude automobiles and are closely watched as a gauge of underlying consumer demand, fell 0.2%, missing expectations for flat growth after rising 1.0% in the previous month.

The combination of resilient employment and softer consumer spending presents a balanced outlook for the U.S. economy. While businesses continue to retain workers, households appear to be becoming more cautious with discretionary spending after a strong performance in previous months.
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WS News 07-17-26
U.S. Stocks Mixed as Softer Inflation Boosts Tech While Dow Lags

U.S. stocks traded mixed in early trading on Tuesday as investors reacted to a softer-than-expected June inflation report that strengthened expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

The Nasdaq gained about 0.8%, supported by technology and growth stocks that typically benefit from lower interest rates. The S&P 500 also moved modestly higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped slightly as investors rotated away from some defensive and value-oriented sectors.

Markets welcomed the June CPI report, which showed headline inflation fell 0.4% month over month, while annual inflation slowed to 3.5%. Core inflation also came in below expectations, with monthly core CPI unchanged and annual core inflation easing to 2.6%. The weaker inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could begin easing monetary policy sooner than previously anticipated.

Technology stocks led gains across the broader market as lower interest rate expectations improved the outlook for high-growth companies. Investors also continued to monitor corporate earnings season, with company-specific results driving notable moves across individual stocks.

Meanwhile, geopolitical developments remained in focus. Recent tensions between the United States and Iran continue to be monitored by investors, particularly after the exchange of military strikes over the past week. Although markets have largely shifted their attention back toward economic data and earnings, any renewed escalation could quickly affect risk sentiment and commodity prices.

Investors will continue watching upcoming economic releases, Federal Reserve commentary, and second-quarter earnings reports for further direction as markets assess the outlook for interest rates and corporate profitability.
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WS News 07-14-26
U.S. Inflation Cools More Than Expected in June, Strengthening Rate Cut Expectations

U.S. inflation slowed more than expected in June, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve could have greater room to ease monetary policy in the coming months.

Headline consumer prices fell 0.4% month over month, a sharper decline than the expected 0.1% decrease, following a 0.5% increase in May. On an annual basis, CPI slowed to 3.5%, below the 3.8% consensus forecast and down from 4.2% in the previous month.

Underlying inflation also continued to moderate. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was unchanged on a monthly basis, compared with expectations for a 0.2% increase. Annual core inflation eased to 2.6% from 2.9%, coming in below the 2.8% market forecast.

The broad-based slowdown in both headline and core inflation suggests price pressures are continuing to ease across the U.S. economy. The softer data could strengthen market expectations that the Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest rates sooner if inflation continues to move toward its 2% target.

Following the release, investors are likely to closely monitor upcoming retail sales, and Federal Reserve commentary for further clues on the timing and pace of potential policy easing.
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WS News 07-14-26
U.S. ADP Employment Growth Slows to 19.8K in Latest Weekly Reading

U.S. private-sector employment growth slowed in the latest weekly ADP report, pointing to a modest cooling in labor market momentum.

ADP Employment Change came in at 19.8K, down from the previous reading of 21.0K.
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WS News 07-14-26
U.S. Markets Trade Mixed as Investors Monitor U.S.-Iran Conflict and Await Earnings Season

U.S. stocks traded mixed on Monday as investors balanced escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against expectations for upcoming corporate earnings and a resilient U.S. economy.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.23%, while the Nasdaq declined 0.88% as technology stocks came under pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed, edging 0.20% higher with support from industrial and defensive shares.

Investor sentiment remained heavily influenced by the latest developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Military exchanges between the two countries intensified in recent days, with both sides carrying out missile and drone strikes and uncertainty surrounding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continuing to fuel concerns over global energy supplies. The renewed escalation has pushed oil prices higher and added to inflation concerns, although markets remain hopeful that the conflict will not significantly disrupt global crude exports.

On the macroeconomic front, investors continued to digest recent data showing a mixed but generally resilient U.S. economy. Last week’s weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls and softer services activity reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could still ease monetary policy later this year. At the same time, moderating inflation indicators have helped support the broader outlook for risk assets.

The market is also shifting its focus toward the upcoming second-quarter earnings season, with major U.S. banks set to report results next week. Investors will closely watch corporate guidance for signs that earnings growth can continue despite elevated interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and higher energy prices.

Although the major indexes remain near record levels, today’s mixed performance reflects a cautious market environment as investors weigh the economic impact of rising geopolitical tensions against a still-solid U.S. economic backdrop. The direction of the U.S.-Iran conflict, oil prices, and the start of earnings season are likely to remain the primary drivers of market sentiment in the coming days.
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WS News 07-13-26
US Initial Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected, Signaling Labor Market Resilience

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly declined last week, pointing to continued strength in the U.S. labor market despite signs of a gradual economic slowdown.

Initial Jobless Claims Beat Expectations

Initial jobless claims fell to 215,000, below both the 218,000 market expectation and the previous week's 217,000 reading. The lower-than-expected figure indicates layoffs remain limited and employers continue to retain workers despite elevated interest rates.

Meanwhile, continuing jobless claims, which measure the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment benefits, rose to 1.814 million from 1.806 million in the previous week but remained below economists' expectations of 1.820 million.

Labor Market Remains Firm

The combination of lower initial claims and continuing claims that came in below forecasts suggests the U.S. labor market remains relatively resilient. While some workers are taking slightly longer to find new jobs, layoffs remain historically low, indicating businesses continue to hold onto employees.

The data reinforces the view that labor market conditions remain supportive of consumer spending and broader economic activity.

Market Focus Turns to the Federal Reserve

Investors will assess the latest labor market data alongside upcoming inflation reports and other economic indicators as they evaluate the Federal Reserve's next policy move.

A resilient labor market could reduce pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates quickly, as policymakers continue to monitor whether inflation is moving sustainably toward its target.
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The Investor 07-09-26
US Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Shares Lead Early Gains

U.S. stocks traded modestly higher in early trading on Thursday, with technology shares helping lift the broader market as investors reacted to a fresh wave of corporate earnings and analyst upgrades.

The S&P 500 gained 0.15%, while the Nasdaq advanced 0.20%, outperforming the major indexes thanks to strength in semiconductor and AI-related stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also moved higher, rising 0.10%.

Semiconductor Stocks Extend AI Rally

Chip equipment makers led the market higher after several positive analyst actions.

Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX) surged in premarket trading after Mizuho raised its price target to $400 and reiterated its *Outperform* rating. Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) also received a higher price target from Mizuho, while Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) benefited from Evercore's reaffirmed *Outperform* rating and new $500 price target, adding to optimism surrounding continued AI infrastructure investment.

The gains reflect ongoing confidence that semiconductor capital spending will remain strong as demand for AI processors, advanced memory, and next-generation data center infrastructure continues to expand.

Earnings Drive Individual Stock Moves

Corporate earnings remained a key driver of early trading.

Simply Good Foods (NASDAQ: SMPL) soared after investors welcomed results that exceeded management's expectations despite lower year-over-year earnings, suggesting confidence in the company's turnaround strategy.

On the downside, PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) declined after investors focused on softer underlying earnings growth and continued margin pressure despite higher revenue and reaffirmed full-year guidance. Northern Technologies International (NASDAQ: NTIC) also traded sharply lower after reporting a quarterly loss caused by margin compression from elevated raw material costs.

Investors Await More Earnings and Economic Data

Market participants remain focused on the upcoming earnings season as investors assess whether corporate profits can continue to support record equity valuations. At the same time, traders are monitoring economic data and Federal Reserve expectations for further clues on the outlook for interest rates.

The combination of resilient AI-related technology stocks and mixed earnings reactions across other sectors is helping keep the broader market in positive territory during Thursday's opening session.
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The Investor 07-09-26
Nasdaq Leads Wall Street Higher as Technology Stocks Rally Despite Softer U.S. Services Data

U.S. stocks traded mixed on Monday as investors weighed softer-than-expected economic data against continued strength in technology shares. The Nasdaq outperformed, climbing 1.1%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged the broader market, slipping marginally into negative territory.

Technology stocks led the advance, helping lift both the Nasdaq and the broader market as investors continued rotating into growth-oriented sectors. The rally came despite economic data pointing to a modest cooling in the U.S. services sector.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI edged down to 54.0 in June from 54.5 in May, missing economists' expectations of 54.2. Meanwhile, the S&P Global Services PMI also came in slightly below forecasts at 51.2. Although both readings remained above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, they suggested the pace of growth in the services sector moderated during the month.

At the same time, inflation pressures showed further signs of easing. The ISM Non-Manufacturing Prices Index declined sharply to 67.7 from 71.3, indicating that input cost growth slowed, even though price pressures remain elevated.

The combination of softer business activity and moderating inflation reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may have greater flexibility on interest rate policy later this year. Investors largely looked past the slightly weaker economic readings, focusing instead on the prospect of a more accommodative monetary environment, which provided support for high-growth technology stocks.

As trading continues, market participants remain focused on upcoming inflation reports and corporate earnings for further direction on the economy and the outlook for U.S. equities.
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WS Investor 07-06-26
U.S. ISM Services PMI Slows in June While Price Pressures Ease

The U.S. services sector continued to expand in June, although growth came in slightly below expectations as the latest ISM data pointed to moderating business activity and easing inflationary pressures.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI declined to 54.0 in June from 54.5 in May, missing the consensus estimate of 54.2. Despite the modest slowdown, the index remained comfortably above the 50-point threshold, signaling continued expansion in the services sector, which accounts for the majority of U.S. economic activity.

Meanwhile, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Prices Index fell sharply to 67.7 from 71.3, while coming in just above expectations of 67.5.
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WS News 07-06-26
U.S. S&P Global Services PMI Misses Expectations in June, Signals Slight Cooling in Services Activity

The U.S. S&P Global Services PMI came in at 51.2 for June, below the consensus forecast of 51.3 and down slightly from the previous reading of 51.3, indicating a modest slowdown in growth across the U.S. services sector.
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WS News 07-06-26
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