Thursday, July 30, 2026

The Morning Call--- IPO's---the public is the exit

 

The Morning Call

 

7/30/26

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            Wednesday in the charts.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/ai-angst-tehran-tremors-korean-chaos-trigger-massive-market-de-grossing?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NzI2Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTM1NjcyNCwiZXhwIjoxNzg3OTQ4NzI0LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.8wmYNC09cHPGS8l9UDFgMvedGNB9lys89obcqbBxpDM

 

Note: the S&P is starting to roll over, having made two lower highs and two lower lows.  It still has a number of longer term factors weighing in its favor but the near term looks questionable.

 

 

            Wednesday in the technical stats.

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/momentum

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/market-performance

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/sectors/rankings

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/signals/new-recommendations

           

            The latest from Goldman’s funds flow guru.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/buy-protection-goldman-flows-gurus-warns-risks-corr1-macro-event-are-creeping-higher?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NzAzIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTM1NTk1NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg3OTQ3OTU2LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.rjf910AqhJjbLb4ZCp0SZTXoufVaxW7-j9VWO9CEySg

 

            The great tech reset.

https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/great-tech-reset?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5Nzg3Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTQxNTc0MCwiZXhwIjoxNzg4MDA3NzQwLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.sPrEbNWPdGb1crr5557sIIK3EhhVb9JTQQavQeqrsiA

 

Thursday morning setup: Futures rebound (for now) following yesterday’s Fed-induced meltdown as the market is clearly questioning Warsh’s credibility and potential usage of non-standard tools to fight inflation, pushing the yield curve to twist steeper and sending 30Y yields to 2 decade highs (last at 5.22%). Pre-mkt, the yield curve is seeing further twist-steepening with 10s and 30s up 1 and 3bp with 2s down 1bp. USD deterioration continues following its worst day in 4 weeks. Commodities are so confused, they are not even responding to the latest MidEast escalation with Energy and Metals lower while Ags remain bid. As of 8:00am ET, S&P futures are 0.6% higher and Nasdaq futs gain 1.3% led by a 9% jump in Microsoft whose cloud unit grew at the fastest clip in four years and the company held the line on spending; while Meta slumps after disappointing revenue guidance failed to offset another capex projection increase. Semis are higher, Memory are lower, and Mag7 is mixed but net higher (MSFT +8.4%, META -8.3%). Cyclicals are leading Defensives with AI boosting both Industrials and Utilities. While the Global MegaCap earnings releases may not have revived their names, price action suggests a bottom is forming, a view espoused (daily) by JPM which sees the deleveraging as completed (narrator: it is far from completed). Bulls will want to see this pre-mkt behavior extend into the weekend to build confidence while Bears will bank on further bond vol and Semis de-risking to maintain the status quo. US economic data calendar includes June personal income/spending and PCE price index, weekly jobless claims and 2Q advance GDP (8:30am); no Fed speakers are scheduled.

           

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

                          Weekly initial jobless claims totaled 197,000 versus consensus 200,000.

 

Q2 GDP growth was 1.5% versus projections of 2.1%; the Q2 price index was +6.3% versus 3.6%.

 

June PCE price index was -0.1; in line; the core PCE price index was +0.1 versus +0.2;

 

June personal income rose 0.2% versus expectations of 0.3%; June personal spending was up 0.3%, in line.

                       

                        International

 

The Q2 flash German GDP growth was +0.2% versus forecasts of +0.1%; the July preliminary CPI was 2.8% versus 2.7%.

 

The Q2 flash EU GDP growth was +0.4% versus predictions of +0.2%; the June unemployment rate was 6.5% versus 6.2%; the July economic sentiment index was 96.9 versus 96.0; the July industrial sentiment index was -6.1 versus -7.0; the July services index was 4.7 versus 3.8; the July consumer confidence was -15.9, in line.

 

The July Japanese consumer confidence index was 34.9 versus consensus of 34.2.

 

                        Other

 

                          The foundation of prosperity.

                          https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2026/07/29/beware_the_experts_who_tie_prosperity_to_consumption_1197124.html

 

                          Growth in the vacant housing stock.

                          https://wolfstreet.com/2026/07/28/growth-of-the-vacant-housing-stock-in-the-us/

 

                          The US’s energy safety net has been cut in half.

                          https://talkmarkets.com/article/americas-energy-safety-net-has-been-cut-in-half-1785335626

 

                          US savings rate tumbles.

                          https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/us-savings-rate-tumbles-despite-lowest-jobless-claims-data-57-years

 

            Iran

 

              Overnight news.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/2-hour-us-bombardment-kills-iranian-troops-civilians-hormuz-traffic-creeps-higher-irgc

 

              Houthis signal Red Sea navigation tolls.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/houthis-signal-red-sea-shipping-tolls-mirror-image-irans-hormuz-plan

 

            Monetary Policy

 

The FOMC wrapped up its July meeting leaving rates unchanged and leaving Warsh looking like a reinvented version of Bernanke/Yellen/Powell---which is to say, talk about fighting inflation but doing nothing.  As you know, I have been advocating a more restrictive monetary policy for some time, hoping that Warsh would bring a new toughness that would put the quietest on rising inflation and long term rates.  Not to be.  Clearly, I was disappointed by the lack of action; and judging by the reaction of the 30 year and the stock market, so were a lot of other people.

              https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/warsh-fed-delivers-biggest-non-cut-surprise-decades

 

            Tariffs

 

Trump’s tariffs are sending companies back to China. (the other and perhaps more important point is how disruptive/damaging a schizophrenic tariff regime can be for US businesses.)  

                          https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/29/business/economy/trump-tariffs-china.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1VA.Tcug._2HFXs37yY0x&smid=url-share

 

 

     Investing

 

            Investors are piling into bond funds at a rapid pace.

            https://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-are-piling-into-bond-funds-at-a-rapid-rate-thats-a-problem-09aaa039?st=2yNh5M

 

            IPOs: the public is the exit.

                        https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/the-stock-market-is-not-your-rich-uncle-d68de517?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

            It is not house money; it is your money.

            https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/the-stock-market-is-not-your-rich-uncle-d68de517?st=fFBQ6d

 

            Reweighting the DJIA.

            https://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2026/07/reweighting-dow-jones-industrial-average.html

 

            The Market is doing its job.

            https://www.capitalspectator.com/techs-wild-ride-semis-sink-software-rallies-and-nerves-fray/

 

            The dilution cycle hiding in tech valuations.

            https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/d4835b78-9865-49d4-b924-a994c255b937

 

            RIP.  It’s only seven stocks.

            https://chartkidmatt.com/p/rip-it-s-only-7-stocks-2023-2025

 

            Margin resilience suggests selective approach.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/earnings-reactions-disappoint-margin-resilience-supports-selective-equity-rotation?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5Njc5Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTM1NzUxMCwiZXhwIjoxNzg3OTQ5NTEwLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.aXvz6_ZHVBliZUZ2_I4kf5RmmLabKijBAyLgxLv0Msk

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

 

 

What I am reading today

 

           

 

 

Visit Investing for Survival’s website (http://investingforsurvival.com/home) to learn more about our Investment Strategy, Prices Disciplines and Subscriber Service.

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

The Morning Call---The outlook for inflation

 

The Morning Call

 

7/29/26

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            Friday in the charts.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/semis-slammed-momo-mullered-ai-credit-cracks-black-gold-bond-yields-drop-deal-hopes?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NjAyIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI3MzU5NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODY1NTk1LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.Z1qcKJVo_43dHLg_MryNln7SMvak9DJB3uQHjfYXsYQ

 

            Friday in the technical stats.

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/momentum

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/market-performance

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/sectors/rankings

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/signals/new-recommendations

 

            CTAs are sellers in every scenario next week.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/ctas-are-sellers-every-scenario-next-week-and-massive-185-billion-if-stocks-drop-next-month?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NTc1Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI2NzE2MCwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODU5MTYwLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.73gN0dD6fPXbsDdFW2MRk-rEqOZQ0SJUNRRQ3ztpSWA

           

            Green shoots? (from the same group that published the above)

https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/first-green-shoots?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NjA1Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI2NzUyNSwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODU5NTI1LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.xbt37eCCaHgT_YLSqeJ4sb6WGJ9a5_ZTHOA6VVgj-Mc

 

            Don’t go chasing ‘waterfall’ formations.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/dont-go-chasing-waterfalls-btig-warns-not-spot-press-shorts-semis?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NTgxIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI2Nzg3MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODU5ODcyLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.QcFtjtQ5P-ibeUE5HPxufVNLL4xyyTUOwzKjD7syH3o

 

            Goldman’s view.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/july-leaving-some-lasting-scars-goldman-flows-guru-warns-leverage-works-both-ways?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NTY3Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI2ODIwMywiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODYwMjAzLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.5a_bCfVYu1up7IERiJ1fN-g0JJjvPSYj7lEZqrERuR0

 

Wednesday mooring setup: US equity futures are higher, overlooking both tech-led declines in Asia which saw the Kospi crash as much as 13% and trigger a second consecutive 20 minute market-wide halt, and the 5% jump in oil prices which has pushed Brent over $88. As of 7:30am ET,  S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 contracts are each up 0.2%, reversing sharp overnight losses, with tech flipping from laggard to leader and reversing (for now) a chip rout overnight which saw SK Hynix plunge 7.6% after tumbling 17% the session prior. With hyperscaler earnings today (MSFT and META), JPMorgan's trading desk - which has incorrectly called the bottom in the chip rout almost every day in the past month - asks if "perhaps we finally establish a floor within the Tech trade."  Semis are higher pre-market with Mag7 mixed. Overnight, Korea / Semis took another leg lower with JPM’s Mixo Das seeing the levered ETF unwind in its 9th inning (90% complete). Defensives are leading Cyclicals (ex-Tech & Energy) with the Energy bid returning on news of renewed attacks in the Middle East. In fact, oil is trading 5% higher at session highs (above $83 for WTI and above $88 for Brent) which is pushing bond yields up 1-2bp as the curve flattens, USD is weaker. Today's macro focus is on the Fed (read out preview here). Most banks (but not Citadel) expect the Fed to hold with two or more hawkish dissents; the market is pricing a 32% chance of a hike.

 

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

Weekly mortgage applications fell 6.4% while purchase applications were down 3.6%.

 

Month to date retail chain store sales were up 8.3% versus up 7.8% in the prior week.

 

The May Case Shiller home price index was up 0.9% versus forecasts of up 0.6%.

https://bonddad.blogspot.com/2026/07/is-disinflation-in-repeat-home-sales.html

 

The July consumer confidence index came in at 90.8 versus expectations of 92.3.

 

The July Richmond Fed manufacturing index was 5 versus consensus of 10.

 

                        International

 

 

                        Other

 

                          Reducing employment growth.

                          https://econbrowser.com/archives/2026/07/reducing-employment-growth

 

            Overnight News

 

The Senate voted 86-12 to advance a bill that would empower Trump to impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, as well as Iran, with a final vote possible later this week.

 

Wall Street banks have demanded more collateral from hedge funds in recent weeks as a rout in AI stocks accelerates and triggers heavy losses across several popular strategies. 

           

            Iran

 

              Overnight news.

                          https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/war-pause-holds-trump-vows-destroy-pickaxe-mountain-if-no-deal-oman-pushes-hormuz

 

            Monetary Policy

 

Kevin Warsh wanted a ‘good family fight’ over monetary policy.  He is getting one.

              https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/kevin-warsh-fed-chair-first-two-months-cf5e0ddc?st=vrFhK7&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

            Inflation

 

The outlook for inflation---another great read from Hoisington Investment Management.

              https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2026/07/28/quarterly-review-outlook-second-quarter-2026

 

              A somewhat different view.

              https://www.capitalspectator.com/iran-tensions-ease-but-markets-still-looking-for-fed-rate-hikes/

 

           

            AI

 

              Big tech credit risks rise as AI spending soars.

              https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/e358a9be-6a95-4109-a51a-6eeec6e3b49a

 

              Wall Street’s debt monster wants another quarter trillion.

  https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/aamon-hungry-again-wall-streets-new-debt-monster-wants-another-quarter-trillion?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NjYzIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTMzMDA0NywiZXhwIjoxNzg3OTIyMDQ3LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.wZLR1z72AFY1Rj461LuTHPjQFOU3eBHqoYtFLdfwmTY

 

              The AI hangover has arrived.

  https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/ai-hangover-has-arrived?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NjQ4Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTMyOTY5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg3OTIxNjk2LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.wBlxxfclqQoNLg0D39iEMXOa6gfnLfrjAJIGMREh1ug

 

 

            Tariffs

 

              Tariffs didn’t improve the deficit but did increase consumer costs.

              https://mishtalk.com/economics/trumps-tariffs-didnt-improve-the-deficit-but-did-increase-consumer-costs/

 

     Investing

 

            REITs, the forgotten asset.

            https://alhambrapartners.com/weekly-market-pulse-the-forgotten-asset/?src=news

 

            On the other hand…….

            https://www.bespokepremium.com/interactive/posts/think-big-blog/real-estates-penthouse-view

 

            Stocks finally have some competition.

            https://trendlabs.com/stocks-finally-have-some-competition/

 

            Are US Treasuries still a safe asset?

            https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2026/07/28/us-treasuries-still-safe-asset

 

            Margin math tests the earnings story.

            https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2026/07/28/margin-math-tests-earnings-story

           

            What 125 years of (performance) data tells us.

            https://behindthebalancesheet.substack.com/p/what-125-years-of-data-really-tell

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

 

 

What I am reading today

 

            Four retirement costs that could blindside you.

                        https://retire.ly/2026/07/21/4-retirement-costs-that-could-blindside-even-the-best-prepared-savers/?utm_source=talkmarkets&utm_medium=talkmarkets

 

 

 

Visit Investing for Survival’s website (http://investingforsurvival.com/home) to learn more about our Investment Strategy, Prices Disciplines and Subscriber Service.

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

The Morning Call---the AI bubble's canary

 

The Morning Call

 

7/28/26

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            Monday in the charts.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/stocks-sink-despite-hormuz-hopes-china-sparks-chipmaker-chunder-busy-week?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NDUwIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTE4NDY1NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg3Nzc2NjU1LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.8hYkl7cxk2OrjnViSJy1xdchqO2DBsUXpxOKccHXXQQ

 

 

            Monday in the technical stats.

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/momentum

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/market-performance

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/sectors/rankings

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/signals/new-recommendations

 

            Still a long way to go in AI correction.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/btig-warns-still-long-way-go-ai-correction?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NDM2Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTE4MTQyMSwiZXhwIjoxNzg3NzczNDIxLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.TsohYm_x11APk2Db17wbfrv3J8ZQhcBClCFtc7YvNFw

 

                        Goldman desk points to level equities will struggle.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/amid-exhausting-confusing-iran-headlines-goldman-partner-says-heres-rates-level-where?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NDQyIiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTE4MjMzMCwiZXhwIjoxNzg3Nzc0MzMwLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.XDK_stWZo0aJKihsusOKdI9lniuHmXplFPi7dG2SqEQ

 

 

            Gold isn’t returning….confidence is leaving.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/precious-metals/gold-isnt-returning-confidence-leaving

 

Tuesday morning setup: Futures extend Monday's losses as the Tech tape continues to unravel; global Semis were hit yesterday and again overnight (despite the best attempts of Goldman and JPM to force retail to buy the falling knives) with Asian stocks and especially Korea (-10%) bearing the brunt with fears of Chinese competition accelerating the sell-off and then spilling back over into the US. As of 7:00am ET, S&P futures are down 0.2% with tech slammed pushing the Nasdaq 0.9% lower and leaving the index set for a five-day run of losses for only the second time this year. Semis are again lower pre-market led by weakness in Nvidia, Intel and Micron, while Mag7 names are mostly bid and outperforming. While Defensives are leading Cyclicals, there are bids to Discretionary and Financials as both sectors look to outperform. As JPM writes in its Market Intel post this morning (available to pro subs), the market is swept in a risk-off tone (where all the news continues to be sold) that is continuing both the broadening in the US and a rotation ex-US where EU may continue to outperform as investors tilt towards Value; the $64 trillion question remains when do Semis / AI find a bottom. There is some good news as expectations (because they certainly are not taking place) of US, Iran negotiations are reducing commodity prices. As such yields are down 3bps, the USD is flat, and commodities are weaker led by Energy and Precious with Base and Softs the outperformers. Today’s macro data focus is on the weekly ADP print, Housing price indices, Consumer Confidence, Import / Export data, Inventories, and regional Fed activity indicators. n premarket trading, chip producers and other AI-related firms are extending their selloff as worries about China’s progress in advanced chipmaking weighs down sentiment. This is also exasperating concerns over the sustainability of the AI spending boom that has propelled the sector in recent years.

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

The July Dallas Fed manufacturing index came in at 1.3 versus estimates of -1.0.

                       

                        International

 

 

                        Other

 

                          Shipping upheaval suggests oil price decline won’t last.

  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-07-27/shipping-upheaval-suggests-oil-selloff-won-t-last?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTE3NjM4NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg1NzgxMTg1LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSVUwR09LSVVQU0IwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMzFCNTRDQTI3MTE0NjAxOUQxMURCN0IxRUM4NTE2MyJ9.ukOPA7MDz3Y2KTE6wXg2vVnCx6nssCiBdebjPNL0TnQ

 

                         The latest Q2 GDP nowcast.

                          https://www.capitalspectator.com/resilient-q2-gdp-nowcast-masks-for-the-rest-of-the-year/

 

                          The distorting impact of inflation on durable goods orders.

                          https://bonddad.blogspot.com/2026/07/two-cheers-for-increasing-manufacturers.html

 

            Monetary Policy

 

How important is the Fed?  (I agree with most of this article.  My one point of disagreement is that ‘money supply is a function of production’.  My counter is ask Germany and Argentina.)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2026/07/26/is-kevin-warshs-silence-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-the-fed/

 

            Fiscal Policy

 

              State capitalism is back in fashion.

  https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-07-27/us-economy-state-capitalism-is-back-in-fashion-that-s-not-good?srnd=homepage-americas&sref=loFkkPMQ

 

Summary: Politicians worldwide are showing renewed enthusiasm for public ownership of private companies, with methods ranging from modest government stakes to outright nationalization.

History shows that public ownership is almost always a mistake, and market-friendly, arms-length regulation is a more reliable way of achieving stated goals.

Public ownership can lead to capture, where producers' interests are prioritized over those of customers and the wider public, resulting in inefficiency and underperformance.

 

            AI

 

              Should you be worried?

              https://www.riskhedge.com/outplacement/are-you-worried

 

              The AI capex depreciation risk is the catch to record earnings.

              https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2026/07/27/ai-capex-depreciation-risk-catch-record-earnings

 

              AI’s moment of truth.

  https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/ai-trades-moment-truth?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NDY1Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTE4MDk4MSwiZXhwIjoxNzg3NzcyOTgxLCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.Iaqh-khaIovLjG6jX2e1T6ZMRgU_8GfEE2Omcs0YoYQ

 

              The mess is your moat.

              https://www.apollo.com/wealth/insights-news/insights/daily-spark/the-mess-is-your-moat

 

              The AI bubble’s canary.

  https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/ai-bubbles-canary-just-died?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NTE5Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI0MzQ4NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODM1NDg2LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.8syqRdJOQJLIf7yeFhEQRtFQpUFyyS86QehY7nQBBNI

 

 

            Tariffs

 

              Saying the quiet part out loud.

              https://www.realclearmarkets.com/blog/2026/07/24/saying_the_quiet_part_out_loud_1196528.html

 

              What do the latest tariffs mean for the US economy.

                          https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/what-trumps-latest-tariffs-mean-for-the-american-economy-0641c57b?st=eKwUMZ&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

           

     Investing

 

              Bond market gets edgier about inflation and the massive (growing) federal debt.

              https://wolfstreet.com/2026/07/25/long-term-treasury-yields-jump-as-bloodied-bond-market-gets-edgier-about-inflation-the-massive-new-debt/

 

              Confidence is back (?) but earnings show that the consumer is being picky.

              https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/confidence-is-back-but-earnings-show-the-consumer-is-being-picky/?utm_source=retirely&utm_medium=retirely

 

              Risk events are everywhere.

  https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/risk-events-are-everywhere-you-look-week?gift=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJuaWQiOiIxMTE5NTM0Iiwic2VuZGVyVWlkIjoiUUhnc3BaZVVFS2E3RHhXM216eFlKbjhaWEFoMiIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTI0MjE4NCwiZXhwIjoxNzg3ODM0MTg0LCJhdWQiOiJ6aC1naWZ0In0.pO3ybEx9CcRWMSapRVRotkhhKFg6tZydZnOTKe6-pg8

 

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

 

 

What I am reading today

 

            Five truths about retirement.

                https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/07/24/5-truths-about-retirement-that-retirees-wish-theyd-known-sooner/

 

 

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