Market Overview - Asian markets closed down, influenced by nervousness surrounding the August 1st debt trade deadline [3][4] - European markets are generally subdued, with the UK's Footsie 100 falling from recent record levels [4] - US futures show a more positive outlook, potentially influenced by President Trump's softened stance on the Fed Chair [8][9] Trade and Tariffs - The US and UK are refining a recent trade deal, including a pledge to remove 25% tariffs on UK steel and aluminum, while the rest of the world faces a 50% tariff [4][5] - The European Union believes a deal with the US is within reach, potentially involving a 15% levy, but the 50% levy on steel and aluminum may remain [6] - Volkswagen lowered its financial outlook due to escalating costs from US tariffs, adding $15 billion to costs in the first half of the year [17] - Kia's operating profit in the second quarter slumped by $570 million due to US tariffs, with warnings of a potentially bigger impact in the second half of 2025 [19] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - President Trump seemed to soften his stance on Fed Chair Jerome Pal after a meeting, which investors took positively [9] - The Fed is expected to keep rates on hold at the next meeting, despite President Trump's desire for rate cuts [9][10] - There are concerns about the Fed's independence, particularly regarding the selection of the next Fed Chair, with potential pressure to cut interest rates [13][14] - The current inflation rate is above the Fed's target of 2%, with potential for it to rise in the coming months [16] Company Specific News - The US regulator approved the $84 billion merger of Paramount and Sky Dance [6] - Puma's shares sank more than 18% after posting a 2% decline in sales for the second quarter to $227 billion, citing the impact of US tariffs [37] - LVMH's shares jumped after analysts suggested the worst is likely over for the luxury group, despite a 4% fall in revenue in the first half to 398 billion euros (approximately $47 billion) [39] - Intel's shares fell after reporting mixed second-quarter results, with revenue of $128 billion beating estimates but announcing a loss of 10 cents per share [41] Investment Strategies - Cyclical stocks are soaring, while defensive stocks are lagging [23] - Defensive sectors now make up only 20% of the S&P 500, while Nvidia and Microsoft alone account for 15% [28][29] - Open Door is presented as a turnaround story rather than a meme stock, with potential for significant gains [51][60]

Market Trends - Retail traders are using 500-to-1 leverage in currency markets [1] - These bets are described as big and dangerous [1]

RT Binance Research (@BinanceResearch)Markets remain elevated as meme stocks make a comeback and altseason appears to be knocking at the door. Are the worst of the tariff and inflation worries behind us?Get the full picture in this week’s market commentary from #Binance Research ⬇️https://t.co/R0vtGZQDFk ...

Market Outlook - Equity markets may experience a short-term positive trend due to anticipated trade deals before the deadline, but concerns remain about the long-term impact of tariffs [3] - The market's focus is primarily on country-level trade deals, potentially overlooking the significance of sectoral agreements [5] - Meme stocks indicate a potentially overstretched market, but it's not necessarily at the end stages [8][9] - A potential upside exists in the short term, leading up to the Fed meeting, but a downturn might occur in August [10] Tariff Impact - The analysis of tariffs is challenging due to uncertainty and frequent changes in plans [6] - Companies are likely to delay reacting to tariffs, attempting to absorb them temporarily, but ultimately, these costs will be passed on to consumers [6][7] - Tariffs are expected to be inflationary and damaging, potentially becoming a significant theme in the first quarter of the next year [7] Central Bank Influence - The market is considering the actions of central banks, including the Fed and the ECB [2] - The ECB's stance is characterized as a "hawkish hold" [2]

Meme stocks are back. Here's why these manias keep happening https://t.co/WQkPsjtIQr ...

Sydney Sweeney attends the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.The "Euphoria" and "Anybody But You" star will headline a fall campaign for the retailer, American Eagle announced Wednesday. Shares of the company surged more than 12% in Thursday premarket trading.Thursday's jump makes American Eagle poised to join the ranks of a new class of meme stocks that has emerged this week. American Eagle's high short interest and inher ...

Market Trends - Meme stocks, popularized by the 2021 GameStop event, are resurging [1]

Market Trends - Meme stocks, popularized by the 2021 GameStop event, are experiencing a resurgence [1]

The knowledge on Reddit about what stocks to buy is “meme stocks.” (via @opinion) https://t.co/84T7dOd7wU ...

Group 1: Stock Performance - Kohl's Corp (KSS) stock surged 8.8% on Monday and 37.6% on Tuesday, but later fell 15.2% to $12.18, returning to negative territory for the year [1] - Krispy Kreme Inc (DNUT) shares rose 6.9% to $4.41, following a 26.8% increase the previous day, although still down 55.6% year to date [3] - GoPro Inc (GPRO) increased 26.3% to $1.73, building on a 41% rise from the previous day, and reached 52-week highs [5] Group 2: Options Activity - KSS experienced 88,000 calls and 88,000 puts exchanged, which is 3.6 times the average daily amount, with new positions opening at the most-active weekly 7/25 12-strike put [7] - DNUT saw 148,000 calls and 78,000 puts, 34.5 times the average daily options volume, with new positions opening at the popular August 5 call [7] - GPRO had 87,000 calls and 55,000 puts exchanged, 25.3 times the average daily volume, with new positions opening at the August 2 and 3 calls [7] Group 3: Short Selling - KSS and DNUT have 49% and 31% of their total available float sold short, respectively, indicating significant short squeeze potential [8] - Nearly 10% of GPRO's total available float is sold short, also suggesting potential for a short squeeze [8]