📈 Records Across the Board as Small Caps Lead Rally

• All indices higher: S&P 500 +1.13%, Nasdaq +1.39% at record, Russell 2000 +2.99% best since May 12.
• CPI steady: July data in line with forecasts boosts September Fed cut bets; 60 bps easing priced in for 2025.
• Airlines soar: American +12.22%, United +10.19%, Delta +9.23% on first airfare rise in six months.
• Oil slides: WTI at $63.17, breaking key support; May lows near $60 now in view.
• Gold holds: Support at $3,340 intact; resistance at $3,380 then $3,400–$3,410.
• Crypto rallies: BTC >$120K, ETH >$4,400, SOL near $200 breakout, XRP above $3.21.

Nasdaq Breaks Records as Gold Tariffs Shake Markets

• Indices climb: Nasdaq +0.98% to record 21,450; S&P just shy of record; Dow +0.47%, Russell 2000 +0.17%.
• Tech leads: Apple +13.33%, Tesla +8.93%, Alphabet +6.50% drive weekly gains.
• Gold spikes: U.S. tariffs on Swiss gold bars push COMEX futures to $3,534, widening London gap by $100+.
• Oil mixed: Brent –0.7% on Trump–Putin meeting hopes; S&P Global halves 2025 demand growth forecast.
• Japan deal: U.S.–Japan agree to cap tariffs at 15% and cut U.S. auto duties; Nikkei jumps 2%.
• Crypto rallies: BTC tests trendline; ETH hits $3,900; XRP at $3.38 after SEC settlement signals.

📊 Nasdaq Hits Record, Fed Bets Rise

• Markets fade late: Nasdaq closed at a record (+0.35%) as Dow and S&P slipped; early rally erased by weak bond auction and labor data.
• Treasury auction soft: 30-year bonds tailed at 4.813%; demand weak across buyers, fueling rate-cut speculation.
• Stagflation fears grow: Jobless claims rose, continuing claims hit 2021 highs; inflation expectations stay sticky.
• Gold climbs: Up to $3,385/oz on risk-off tone, weak yields, and fresh tariffs from Trump.
• Oil under pressure: WTI failed to hold above 100-day MA, settling at $63.88.
• XRP breakout: Rallied to $3.08 before pulling back; Ripple acquires Rail to expand payments footprint.

📈 Tech Surge Lifts Markets, Apple Leads Rally

• NASDAQ leads: Tech-heavy index rose 1.21% on megacap strength; Apple jumped 5.10% on $100B U.S. investment deal.
• Fed shift incoming: Officials signaled easing is likely “in coming months” as labor market cools.
• Crude falls: Despite bullish draw, WTI dropped to $64.35 as demand fears outweigh supply risks.
• Gold holds firm: Near $3,374 on Fed bets and tariff uncertainty; resistance remains at $3,400.
• Crypto mixed: BTC steady, ETH gains on ETF inflows; XRP slipped below $3.00.
• Regulatory spotlight: Japan’s SBI and Nomura push new crypto ETFs amid weak price response.

📉 U.S. Services Slowdown Weighs on Markets

• Weak ISM print: July ISM Services fell to 50.1, raising fresh economic concerns.
• Earnings diverge: Palantir surged; Super Micro, Snap, Rivian disappointed.
• Treasury demand fades: 3-year auction showed weak foreign interest.
• Gold climbs: Hit $3,381 as Fed cut expectations build; Citi eyes $3,500/oz.
• Oil & copper dip: Crude dropped 1.7%; copper steady on Chile supply risks.
• Crypto under pressure: ETF outflows weigh on BTC and ETH; XRP holds $3.00.

📉 U.S. Markets Slammed by Jobs Miss, Tariffs, and Geopolitics

• Major selloff: Dow –542 pts; Nasdaq –2.24% as July NFP came in at just +73K, with big revisions lower.
• BLS scandal: Labor chief fired over data manipulation; trust in U.S. stats shaken.
• Tariffs hit: August 1 tariffs now active; Canada, Mexico react sharply.
• Fed pivot watch: Rate cut odds jump to 70% for September after weak data.
• Gold surges: Rebounds above $3,350 as yields plunge and safe-haven flows return.
• Crypto sinks: BTC –2.5%, ETH breaks below $3,700; traders ignore bullish SEC tone.