Market Overview - Major stock indices showed mixed performance, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slightly up by 0.04% at 44,938.31, while the Nasdaq fell by 0.67% to 21,172.86 [2] - European markets also experienced declines, with the DAX down by 0.60% to 24,276.97 and the CAC40 down by 0.08% to 7,973.03 [2] - In Asia, the Taiwan Weighted Index dropped significantly by 2.99% to 23,625.44, while the Indian Sensex rose by 0.26% to 81,857.84 [2] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve decided to maintain the federal funds rate target range at 4.25%-4.5% during the July 29-30 meeting, amid concerns over economic growth and inflation [2] - There is a notable internal division within the Fed regarding future monetary policy, with market participants closely watching for comments from Chairman Powell at the upcoming Jackson Hole conference [2] Military Developments - Israel's military has begun operations to capture Gaza City, with plans to expedite the timeline for defeating Hamas [4] - Approximately 1 million Palestinian civilians are expected to evacuate, and humanitarian infrastructure is being established in southern Gaza [4] NATO and Ukraine - NATO's 32 member countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine during a recent defense ministers' meeting, emphasizing the need for a just and lasting peace [5] - The EU is considering establishing a treaty similar to NATO's Article 5 for Ukraine, which would ensure collective defense among member states [5] Corporate Developments - Alibaba Group announced plans to spin off its subsidiary, Zhaoma Network, for an independent listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, retaining over 30% ownership post-split [6] - OpenAI reported achieving a milestone of $1 billion in monthly revenue for July, with expectations of tripling its annual revenue to $12.7 billion this year [7] - Google launched the Pixel 10 series smartphones, integrating advanced AI features to compete with Apple [8] - Intel is reportedly negotiating with large investors for discounted equity stakes to fund production aligned with customer demand [9]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market exhibited a mixed performance, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slightly up by 0.04% to 44,938.31 points, while the S&P 500 index fell for the fourth consecutive day, down 0.24% to 6,395.78 points, and the Nasdaq Composite index dropped 0.67% to 21,172.86 points [1] - In the commodities market, gold futures rose by 1% to $3,392.2 per ounce due to increased risk aversion, and oil prices increased by 1.73% to $62.84 per barrel following a decline in oil inventories [1] Technology Sector Performance - The technology sector faced significant sell-offs, with the U.S. Technology Seven Giants Index declining by 1.07%. Major companies like Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Google, and Microsoft all experienced losses, with Apple down 1.97% and Amazon down 1.84% [2][3] - Nvidia's stock decreased by 0.14% but has seen a year-to-date increase of 30.63%, while Meta Platforms fell by 0.50% with a year-to-date increase of 27.92% [3] Factors Influencing Market Sentiment - Multiple factors contributed to the sell-off in technology stocks, including high valuations prompting a rotation into more attractive sectors like energy and consumer staples. Concerns over potential government intervention in private enterprises, particularly regarding Intel, and warnings from OpenAI's CEO about a bubble in AI stocks further dampened market sentiment [4][5] - The energy sector led gains in the S&P 500, rising by 0.86%, while consumer staples increased by 0.80%. Non-essential consumer goods and technology sectors fell by 1.18% and 0.77%, respectively [5] Company-Specific Developments - Google launched its Pixel 10 series smartphones, integrating AI assistant Gemini to compete with Apple, with prices starting at $799 for the Pixel 10 and $999 for the Pixel 10 Pro [5] - OpenAI reported a revenue exceeding $1 billion for July but faces long-term challenges related to computing power shortages [6] Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve's recent meeting minutes indicated a decision to maintain the benchmark interest rate between 4.25% and 4.5%, with some dissenting votes advocating for a 25 basis point cut to prevent further labor market weakness [7] - Market expectations for a potential rate cut in September are high, with a nearly 85% probability according to CME's Fed Watch tool, although analysts suggest that Fed Chair Powell may adopt a cautious tone regarding inflation risks and economic uncertainty [7] Political Uncertainty - Political events have added to market uncertainty, with former President Trump calling for the resignation of Fed Governor Lisa Cook, accusing her of mortgage fraud, which she has denied [8]