Market Overview - The S&P 500 reached a new record high, buoyed by investor confidence in corporate earnings growth and easing inflation for 2026, alongside the Federal Reserve's QE Lite injecting $40 billion into the market [1] - The VIX index remains low, indicating calm in equities, with no down month since April [1] - Precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum, have hit record highs, driven by geopolitical concerns and expectations for interest rate cuts in 2026 [6][13] Corporate News - Sanofi agreed to acquire Dynavax Technologies for approximately $2.2 billion, aiming to expand its vaccine business [3][10] - Nike shares rose by 2.1% after Apple CEO Tim Cook purchased $2.95 million worth of Nike stock [1][5] - Intel shares fell by 3.2% following reports that Nvidia halted a test using Intel's technology [5][10] Economic Indicators - The latest MBA Mortgage Applications decreased by 5.0%, indicating a potential slowdown in the housing market [1] - Initial jobless claims are expected to be around 223,000, reflecting ongoing labor market conditions [29] Commodity Market - Gold prices reached $4,500 per ounce for the first time, while silver and platinum also surged to all-time highs, marking their best yearly gains since 1979 [6][8] - Copper prices hit a new record of approximately $12,200 per ton, set for its largest annual rise since 2009 [6][13]