Hey there, nil!

The market's morning appetite is looking healthier today as investors savor some surprisingly sweet news from the semiconductor kitchen! Nvidia's announcement that it can resume serving its H20 AI chips to Chinese customers has traders reaching for seconds, while a full buffet of major bank earnings awaits to test whether this rally has real substance. With inflation data on the side menu and tariff tensions still simmering, let's dig into today's market feast! Plus, try your luck and win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! 🎁

- Dan

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 Starters 

Dow Futures

0.1% (-51 points to 44,634)

S&P 500 Futures

0.3% (+18.75 to 6,329.75)

Nasdaq 100 Futures

0.6% (+123.75 to 23,159.25)

  • G20 Durban Meeting: Bessent no-show and BRICS tensions casting a shadow over upcoming gathering
  • Syria: Druze leader urging local fighters to confront incoming government troops - regional stability concerns
  • Taiwan-Paraguay: Island nation's president planning Paraguay visit with likely U.S. transits - diplomatic chess moves
  • Russia-Trump: Moscow dismissing Trump's 'theatrical ultimatum' about Ukraine peace talks - geopolitical theater continues
  • Germany Court: Top court dismisses complaint against U.S. drone missions via Ramstein base
  • Lebanon Strikes: Israeli defense minister says ongoing strikes sending clear message to Hezbollah
  • Japan Politics: Ruling coalition facing potential upper house majority loss in polls - political uncertainty
  • EU Tariffs: U.S. planes, cars, and drinks on EU's potential retaliation menu - trade war ingredients brewing
 

 Chef's Pick: Steady Dividend Recipe 

Stock of Interest Today

Brinker International (EAT) Brinker’s Chili’s turnaround blends smart ops and viral buzz, cutting menus and boosting service speed just as TikTok drove new traffic. With 21% revenue growth expected and trading at just 11x free cash flow, the stock looks undervalued. While $430M in debt is a risk, $330M in earnings offers a solid cushion. A clear edge without relying on promos makes EAT a standout value in the restaurant sector. (Current price: $165.56, Analyst expectation:$190)

China-U.S. Tech Thaw Strategy: Nvidia's H20 chip approval signals potential easing in export restrictions after months of tension. Recipe: Position in semiconductor names with significant China exposure (AMD, Broadcom) as trade normalization could unlock substantial revenue. Monitor for broader tech export license approvals as a leading indicator of relationship improvement. Risk management: Keep positions sized appropriately, as geopolitical winds can shift quickly.

 

Banking Earnings Appetizer: Major financials reporting today with JPM, WFC, and Citi serving as sector bellwethers for interest margin health. Recipe: Focus on net interest income trends and credit quality indicators rather than headline EPS beats. Banks trading at year-to-date highs need strong fundamental delivery to justify valuations. Use any earnings-driven weakness as a potential entry opportunity for quality names.

 

Tariff Inflation Hedge Implementation: CPI data today could show the first signs of Trump's trade policies feeding into consumer prices. Recipe: Position defensively in domestic-focused companies while reducing exposure to import-heavy sectors. Healthcare and utilities offer inflation pass-through capabilities while avoiding tariff impact. Monitor core goods categories for early inflation signals requiring Fed policy response.

 

ETF Sector Rotation Play: Nuclear/space ETFs leading while memory chip plays declining, shows a clear thematic preference shift. Recipe: Ride momentum in infrastructure beneficiaries (SMR, OKLO) while avoiding overextended semiconductor leverage plays. Clean energy and defense contractors offer similar thematic exposure with better risk-reward profiles. Use leveraged ETF moves as sentiment indicators rather than core positions.

 

CPI Volatility Navigation: Today's inflation data could trigger significant market moves depending on tariff impact visibility. Recipe: Prepare for increased volatility around 8:30 AM release, with core goods inflation the most critical metric. Bond yields are likely to spike on any upside surprise, creating opportunities in rate-sensitive sectors. Keep powder dry for post-data positioning as the market digests Fed policy implications.

 

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 EntrÊe: Market Whispers 

Is Hydropower the Secret to AI's Energy Hunger?

Google just made a $3 billion bet that it might be. In what’s being called the largest clean energy deal of its kind, the tech giant inked a 20-year agreement with Brookfield Asset Management to tap up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower from two Pennsylvania plants.

 

But why hydropower—and why now? With AI and cloud computing pushing U.S. power demand to record highs, Big Tech is scrambling to secure stable, carbon-free energy sources. And Google isn’t stopping there. It plans to invest another $25 billion into data centers across Pennsylvania and nearby states.

 

Upgrades and relicensing of the hydro sites are just the start. Google’s ultimate play? Expand across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, using AI to fast-track energy connections to the grid—all while staying ahead of regulatory hurdles.

 

Is this just the beginning of a hydropower gold rush? Or a quiet shift in how AI’s energy appetite gets fed?

 

 The Pantry Report  

USD News

  • Core CPI m/m – Actual: 0.3% | Forecast: 0.1%
  • CPI m/m – Actual: 0.3% | Forecast: 0.1%
  • CPI y/y – Actual: 2.6% | Forecast: 2.4%
  • Empire State Manufacturing Index – Actual: -8.3 | Forecast: -16.0
  • FOMC Member Bowman Speaks
  • FOMC Member Barr Speaks
  • FOMC Member Barkin Speaks
  • FOMC Member Collins Speaks
  • API Weekly Statistical Bulletin

 

Today's Banking Buffet

  • JPMorgan Chase: Expected EPS $4.48 on revenue of $43.8B
  • Wells Fargo: Forecasted $1.41 per share on $20.75B revenue
  • Citigroup: Projected $1.61 per share earnings
  • BlackRock: Anticipated record $12.15T in assets under management
  • Bank of New York Mellon & State Street: Also serving results today
 

 À La Carte 

CoreWeave's $6 Billion AI Appetite: Cloud computing firm commits up to $6 billion for new Lancaster, Pennsylvania data center. Massive infrastructure investment demonstrates a serious AI buildout beyond just semiconductor chips.

 

Singapore Growth Reality Check: Central bank warns economic growth likely slowing in second half despite better-than-expected first-half performance. Tariff uncertainties are casting shadows over previously bright economic forecasts.

 

VW Electric Bus Comeback: Volkswagen resumes ID.Buzz electric minibus U.S. exports after resolving technical recalls and tariff complications. Vehicles were modified to fix rear seat safety issues that allowed dangerous three-person seating arrangements.

 

Fed Inflation Fear Factor: Central bank officials are closely watching this week's CPI data for the first signs of Trump's tariff policies boosting consumer prices. Limited impact so far has been Trump criticizing Powell and demanding rate cuts.

 

Oil's Russian Reality Check: Crude declined second session as traders doubt Trump's threats would meaningfully impact Moscow's energy exports. Market calling bluff on theatrical ultimatums regarding Ukraine peace timeline.

 

Apple CEO Leadership Questions: LightShed Partners analysts are questioning whether Tim Cook remains the right leader for $3 trillion company. Concerns about falling behind in AI development as iPhone sales industry-wide continue slowing.

 

Japan Bond Market Stress: 10-year government yield hits highest since 2008 at 1.595% as election tax-cut pledges worry investors. Central bank scaling back massive purchases, removing protective cushion around yields.

 

Trump's Ukraine Strategy Shift: President privately encouraged deep strikes on Russian territory, asking Zelensky about hitting Moscow with U.S. long-range weapons. Notable departure from campaign pledges to withdraw from foreign entanglements.

 

TikTok's Canadian Crisis: Social media platform proposing security solutions to avoid shutdown order, but pleas are falling on deaf ears. National security concerns continue to simmer as ByteDance faces operational closure demands.

 Today’s Special 

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 Nibbles 

Nvidia (NVDA ⬆️ 4.6%): AI chip maker gets approval to resume H20 chip sales to China after April export ban. U.S. government assured licensing approvals, marking potential thaw in tech trade relations. CEO Jensen Huang's compliance strategy is paying off with the new RTX PRO chip for smart factories. Fellow chip stocks AMD (+2.9%) and Broadcom (+1.4%) are riding the semiconductor optimism wave.

 

Trade Desk (TTD ⬆️ 15%): Advertising tech platform selected for S&P 500 inclusion, replacing ANSYS Friday. Automatic passive fund flows from index inclusion create sustained buying pressure. Disappointed hopefuls Robinhood (-0.9%) and AppLovin (-1.6%) left waiting for the next opportunity. S&P 500 promotion validates company's growing dominance in the programmatic advertising space.

 

Chinese Tech Trio Surges: Alibaba jumps 7%, Baidu climbs 4%, Tencent rises 3.5% on Nvidia news. All three are major Nvidia customers benefiting from resumed chip sales optimism. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.6%, tech index up 2.8% on trade developments. China's resilient 5.2% Q2 GDP growth (vs 5.1% expected) is adding fuel to the rally.

 

JPMorgan Chase (JPM ⬆️ 0.3% premarket): Banking giant reports Q2 earnings today, expecting $4.48 EPS on $43.8B revenue. Net interest income forecast at $23.6B vs $22.9B last year, showing lending margin strength. Stock up 20% YTD, but premium valuation needs strong delivery to justify gains. Wall Street is watching credit quality and loan growth guidance closely.

 

Wells Fargo (WFC slightly lower premarket): San Francisco lender expecting $1.41 per share (vs $1.33 prior) on $20.75B revenue. Stock gained 19% in 2025 despite premarket weakness ahead of earnings release. Operational improvement story needs earnings validation to maintain investor confidence. Management efficiency initiatives and asset cap removal timeline are key focus areas.

 

Citigroup (C ⬆️ 0.3% premarket): New York banking giant forecasted to deliver $1.61 per share Q2 earnings. Stock climbed 24% this year as the transformation story gains investor appetite. CEO Jane Fraser's restructuring efforts are showing early signs of margin improvement. International exposure offering unique diversification versus domestic-focused peers.

 

BlackRock (BLK ⬆️ 1% premarket): Asset manager expected to report record $12.15T client assets (up 15% Y/Y). Adjusted earnings forecast at $10.78 per share on $5.45B revenue. ETF flows and wealth management growth are driving fee income expansion. Market volatility actually benefits a long-term asset gathering business model.

 

MiMedx (MDXG ⬇️ 21%) & Organogenesis (ORGO ⬇️ 34%): Medical device stocks crater on Medicare reimbursement cuts. CMS proposes reclassifying skin substitutes, potentially slashing payments by 90%. Regulatory risk reminder for healthcare investors relying on government reimbursement. Sector rotation is accelerating away from Medicare-dependent medical device companies.

 

La-Z-Boy (LZB ⬇️ 6%): Furniture maker warns Q1 metrics hitting low end of guidance range. "Challenging consumer and macro environment" is pressuring discretionary spending categories. Strategic acquisition of 15 furniture galleries adds $80M annual sales despite headwinds. Consumer discretionary weakness reflects broader economic uncertainty themes.

🐾 Rising vet costs driven by corporate upselling have pet owners turning to insurance plans that reimburse up to 90%—starting at just $10/month. (Money)

 Food for Thought 

ETF Gainers:

  • Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF: ⬆️ 24.85% - Nuclear energy getting radiation of optimism
  • Defiance Daily Target 2x Long OKLO ETF: ⬆️ 22.88% - Small reactor appetite growing
  • Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF: ⬆️ 21.60% - Space economy still launching higher
  • Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF: ⬆️ 17.14% - Telehealth trend staying healthy
  • Tradr 2X Long QUBT Daily ETF: ⬆️ 16.73% - Quantum computing quantum leap

 

ETF Losers:

  • Defiance Daily Target 2x Short PLTR ETF: ⬇️ 9.79% - Palantir bears getting squeezed
  • Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares: ⬇️ 9.32% - Memory chip bulls losing appetite
  • GraniteShares 2x Long MU Daily ETF: ⬇️ 9.30% - Micron momentum melting
  • Defiance Daily Target 2x Short MSTR ETF: ⬇️ 7.58% - MicroStrategy shorts feeling heat
  • T-Rex 2X Inverse MSTR Daily Target ETF: ⬇️ 7.41% - Bitcoin proxy pain spreading
 

 Takeways 

🥡 Are Phones As Dangerous As Cigarettes? This Leading Neuroscientist Warns You To Take The Threat Seriously Or Else!

 

🥡 US Ice Cream Makers to Go Dye-Free: Major manufacturers, representing 90% of the market, pledge to remove artificial dyes from products by 2028, responding to health concerns and government calls—Will this make your favorite frozen treats healthier?

 

🥡 Waters and BD Biosciences Announce $17.5 Billion Merger: Waters will acquire BD's biosciences and diagnostic solutions unit, effectively doubling its market reach—What does this massive deal mean for the future of life sciences and diagnostics?

 

🥡 Adorable Cat Helps Discover New Virus (Again): A Florida pet named Pepper led scientists to find a previously unknown orthoreovirus, marking his second such discovery—What other unseen viruses might be found in our environment?

🥡 Unlock the "Eternal Energy Revolution": A groundbreaking technology could slash your energy bills by 78%, promising pure, endless power for 133 million generations, with billionaires already invested—Click here to get the name of the company behind this innovation and avoid being left behind!

 

 Where Did We Get This? 

For more information and to verify the accuracy of the claims made in this email, please consult the following reliable sources:

  • Bessent no-show, BRICS tensions set to cast shadow over Durban G20 meeting – Reuters
  • Syrian Druze leader urges local fighters to confront incoming government troops – Reuters
  • Paraguay to host Taiwan’s Lai in August – Reuters
  • Germany’s top court dismisses complaint against U.S. drone missions via Ramstein – Reuters
  • Israeli defence minister says strikes under way in Lebanon are ‘clear message’ – Reuters
  • Japan’s ruling coalition seen losing upper house majority – Asahi – Reuters
  • U.S. planes, cars, drinks on EU list of potential tariffs – Reuters
  • CoreWeave commits $6 billion to AI infrastructure – Yahoo Finance
  • Singapore central bank warns of slower economic growth – Yahoo Finance
  • Biggest stock movers Tuesday – Barron’s
  • Brinker International: Still Cheap, Still Ignored, Still a Strong Buy – Seeking Alpha
  • Biggest stock movers Tuesday – Seeking Alpha
  • VW resumes exports of ID. Buzz after temporary halt – Yahoo Finance
  • Fed’s inflation fears may start fading soon – Yahoo Finance
  • Oil holds decline as traders assess supply outlook – Yahoo Finance
  • Why analysts think it’s time for Apple again – Yahoo Finance
  • Japan bond rout touches a pain point for global markets – Yahoo Finance
 
 
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