Market Overview - The market is starting slow but is expected to pick up pace throughout the day, particularly with large-cap tech earnings after the bell [1] - Mortgage applications data has come in soft, with a notable decline of 8.5% in overall applications, driven by rising mortgage rates [2][3] Mortgage Applications - The 10-year yield has fluctuated from 6.13% to 6.3% and back to 6.25% over the last 10 days, impacting 30-year mortgage rates which rose from 6.16% to 6.24% [2] - Refinances have seen a significant drop of 15.7%, indicating sensitivity to rising mortgage rates [2] Technology Sector - Positive news from Nvidia and China is expected to boost stocks like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom [3] - Memory stocks are also showing upward movement, contributing to a generally positive sentiment in the tech sector [4] Currency Impact - The US dollar is at four-year lows, which may benefit multinational companies by making US goods and services cheaper for foreign buyers [4][5] - Historical context shows that the dollar has traded lower in previous years, suggesting that a weaker dollar can have positive implications for exports [6][7] Earnings Reports - Major earnings reports from companies such as Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and IBM are anticipated, with Microsoft showing a rally leading into its report [9][10] - There are questions surrounding Meta Platforms' spending and Tesla's future beyond electric vehicles, including potential developments in full self-driving and other technologies [11][12]