Odd Lots: Ricardo Hausmann on What it Takes to Win a Trade War
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
4 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Trump administration wants Harvard to pay far more than Columbia as part of settlement
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is pressing for a deal with Harvard University that would require the Ivy League school to pay far more than the $200 million fine agreed to by Columbia University to resolve multiple federal investigations, according to two people familiar with the matter. Harvard would be expected to pay hundreds of millions of dollars as part of any settlement to end investigations into antisemitism at its campus, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Harvard leaders have been negotiating with the White House even as they battle in court to regain access to billions in federal research funding terminated by the Trump administration. The White House's desire to get Harvard to pay far more than Columbia was first reported by The New York Times, which said the school has signaled a willingness to pay as much as $500 million. Harvard did not immediately comment. The Trump administration plans to use its deal with Columbia as a template for other universities, with financial penalties that are now seen as a staple for future agreements. Last week, Columbia leaders agreed to pay $200 million as part of a settlement to resolve investigations into alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws and restore more than $400 million in research grants. Columbia had been in talks for months after the Trump administration accused the university of allowing the harassment of Jewish students and employees amid a wave of campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Harvard faces similar accusations but, unlike Columbia, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, school challenged the administration's funding cuts and subsequent sanctions in court. Last week, President Donald Trump said Harvard 'wants to settle' but he said Columbia 'handled it better.' The Trump administration's emphasis on financial penalties adds a new dimension for colleges facing federal scrutiny. In the past, civil rights investigations by the Education Department almost always ended with voluntary agreements and rarely included fines. Even when the government has levied fines, they've been a small fraction of the scale Trump is seeking. Last year, the Education Department fined Liberty University $14 million after finding the Christian school failed to disclose crimes on its campus. It was the most the government had ever fined a university under the Clery Act, following a $4.5 million fine dealt to Michigan State University in 2019 for its handling of sexual assault complaints against disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar. The University of Pennsylvania agreed this month to modify school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, but that school's deal with the Trump administration included no fine. The Trump administration has opened investigations at dozens of universities over allegations of antisemitism or racial discrimination in the form of diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Several face funding freezes akin to those at Harvard, including more than $1 billion at Cornell University and $790 million at Northwestern University. Last week, Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the Columbia deal a 'roadmap' for other colleges, saying it would 'ripple across the higher education sector and change the course of campus culture for years to come.' ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wall Street Loves AI Hype, but Less Than 1 in 10 Businesses Use It. Here's Who's Winning Anyway.
Key Points AI is a popular investing trend despite the fact that its use is not widespread throughout the business world. San Diego and Boston are the cities where AI usage is most prevalent. The information sector is the leading the way in AI adoption. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia › There's no denying that Wall Street analysts remain bullish about artificial intelligence (AI) stocks -- even in light of some of the massive gains they've already made. Main Street investors have also been incredibly ebullient about the prospects of stocks that have varying levels of AI exposure. But the optimism that analysts and retail investors share belies the fact that many businesses are still not incorporating AI solutions into their operations, according to the latest research from The Motley Fool. Beguiling as this may be, AI is still growing in popularity in certain regions and organizations. AI and the city Far from ubiquitous, the adoption of AI varies greatly throughout the United States. There are some areas that stand out, though. Southern California, for example, is one of the hotbeds for AI activity. Leading the nation, the San Diego metropolitan area currently boasts a 16% usage rate, and it's expected to rise to about 20%. The popularity of AI in the San Diego metropolitan area stems from the multitude of AI start-ups located there. For example, Shield AI is an aerospace and defense company that is developing an autonomous pilot in collaboration with Kratos Defense and Security. Unsurprisingly, the Boston metropolitan area -- home to prestigious academic institutions like Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- is another significant source of AI activity. Whether it's a reflection of graduates from Harvard and MIT staying in the area or the faculty from these institutions, many AI start-ups are calling the city home. Boston Dynamics, for instance, is a leader in AI and autonomous robots, and it traces its history back to MIT. AI in the workplace Currently, only 9.2% of businesses are incorporating AI solutions. Although this may seem low, it's a noticeable gain over the 3.7% adoption rate the U.S. Census Bureau identified when it first started collecting data in the fall of 2023. The spread of this technology doesn't show signs of slowing down either -- it's projected that in six months, 11.6% of businesses will be using AI. Consistent with its growing popularity among individuals in and out of the workplace, the information sector, which includes tech and data companies, is the leading source of AI adoption in business with a 24.2% usage rate. For example, ChatGPT, now a household name, has emerged as a prime tool for sourcing information much the same way that Alphabet's Google developed into the leading internet search engine. The sector is packed with some of the most recognizable, established providers of AI tools. From Microsoft Copilot and Alphabet's Gemini to IBM's Watson AI and Apple's Siri, the information sector is a who's who of AI innovators. Of course, so many of the capabilities that companies can provide in generative AI, along with other AI functionality, are made possible by Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which designs industry-leading graphics processing units (GPUs). That's not to say that other sectors aren't embracing AI. Featuring a 21.4% usage rate, the mining sector is also a notable proponent. One of the largest mining companies by market capitalization, Rio Tinto Group, has incorporated AI into various aspects of the company's operations, including autonomous haulage systems and creating 3D subsurface maps to improve exploration of mineral deposits. If you've bought or sold a home recently, you've likely noticed how common AI is in the real estate industry too, where AI has a 17.4% usage rate. Zillow Group and Redfin rely on the technology to assist in producing property value estimates, while Nvidia provides the ability to produce digital twins, enabling virtual tours with its Omniverse technology. As it becomes increasingly well-known how businesses are leveraging the power of AI, non-adopters will surely begin to incorporate the technology in greater numbers. Should investors eschew AI stocks due to their relatively low adoption rates in business? While it may be some time before AI is truly widespread across industries, investors should not take this data as a cue that now is a poor time to invest in AI stocks. The early stages of a major technological shift tend to also be an optimal time for growth investors to build their exposure to stocks in the space. For an all-in-one AI stock, investors will want to strongly consider Nvidia. Its dominant position in the AI landscape has made it the world's most valuable company, and it has the launch of new GPUs featuring its Blackwell Ultra architecture representing just one near-term catalyst. There is plenty of growth potential on the horizon too. And that's not to say that more conservative investors should avoid AI stocks, either. If managing risk and diversification are top concerns, they can consider an AI-focused ETF as yet another way to prosper from the burgeoning industry. Do the experts think Nvidia is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Nvidia make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,046% vs. just 183% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 863.34%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $633,452!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,083,392!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, International Business Machines, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Zillow Group. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Wall Street Loves AI Hype, but Less Than 1 in 10 Businesses Use It. Here's Who's Winning Anyway. was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slip as earnings roll in, Fed decision looms
US stocks gave up earlier gains on Tuesday as investors digested a wave of corporate earnings and economic data, while bracing for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision due Wednesday. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped about 0.2% after narrowly notching a sixth straight record close, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell by a similar margin. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dropped roughly 0.3%, or over 150 points. Markets are poised for a high-stakes week as the Federal Reserve kicked off its two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, alongside a busy slate of economic data. While the Fed is expected to hold rates steady, investors remain on edge for any signs of economic weakness that could justify cuts later this year. Job openings and hirings both fell in June, the Bureau of Labor's JOLTS update showed, setting the stage for the all-important monthly US nonfarm payrolls report on Friday. Meanwhile, consumer confidence saw an uptick in July, but worries about job availability intensified, according to official figures. Also in focus, the US goods trade deficit hit a two-year low in June, as imports tumbled and businesses looked to get ahead of tariffs. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs Looming large is President Trump's Friday deadline for trading partners to strike deals or face blanket tariff rates. Hopes for an extension to the US-China trade truce are buoying the likes of AI chipmaker Nvidia's (NVDA) stock, although shares fell modestly on Tuesday. At the same time, the US dollar ( continued to rally as markets grow confident that the tariff impact will be contained. Earnings took center stage, with Boeing (BA) posting better-than-expected quarterly results. But weaker reports from from Spotify (SPOT), Merck (MRK), and UnitedHealth (UNH) weighed on sentiment. After the bell, all eyes turn to Starbucks (SBUX) for signs of progress on its turnaround efforts. Read more: Full earnings coverage in our live blog One reason the roaring stock market rally has more room to run Several strategists in the fifth volume of the Yahoo Finance Chartbook help explain why the S&P 500's rally could continue. While trades like meme stocks have begun bubbling up once more, Goldman Sachs senior equity strategist Ben Snider told us their equity sentiment index is still reading "neutral." Goldman's equity sentiment indicator combines nine measures of positioning in US stocks across investor groups including hedge funds, mutual funds, and retail investors. In other words, this isn't a sentiment index based on vibes. It's based on where money actually is in the market. As Snider's chart below shows, at a current reading of 0, investor sentiment could certainly have plenty of room to move higher. "While valuation multiples sit at elevated levels relative to history, constrained positioning indicates room for the recent equity rally to continue," Snider told us. Deutsche Bank chief global strategist Binky Chadha made a similar point with his Chartbook submission. "Equity positioning tends to align with earnings growth but is currently still below what we expect for Q2 and we look for a typical earnings season rally," Chadha said. "Our outlook out to year end sees a rise in equity positioning as one of the drivers of further upside for equity prices." To see Chadha's chart and 34 more that help explain the state of markets and the US economy right now, read the full Yahoo Finance Chartbook here. Starbucks set to report 6th straight US sales decline as CEO Brian Niccol continues turnaround efforts Starbucks (SBUX) is set to report results for its fiscal third quarter after the market close on Tuesday as CEO Brian Niccol continues turnaround efforts and the company is expected to extend its US sales slump while facing an uncertain consumer environment, Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports. DiPalma writes: Read more about the coffee chain's upcoming earnings results and stock here. UPS stock drops as it declines to provide 2025 sales outlook United Parcel Service (UPS) stock sank more than 9% as the company declined to provide a financial outlook for the upcoming quarter or full year. "For our sector, this remains a very unsettling time," CEO Carol Tome said on a call with analysts Tuesday morning following UPS' second quarter earnings. "Changes in trade policy have not been cemented and the impact on customer demand and the overall economy is unknown." UPS also declined to provide guidance in its first quarter. For the second quarter, the company reported earnings per share roughly in line with Wall Street's projections and sales ahead of estimates, according to Bloomberg consensus data, despite declining from the prior year. Stellantis to absorb $1.7 billion in tariff costs in 2025 Stellantis (STLA) shares fell 2% after the Big Three automaker updated its financial results for the first half of the year, after releasing preliminary figures last week. The company said President Trump's tariffs will cost it 1.5 billion euros ($1.73 billion) in 2025, reports Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian. Subramanian writes: Read the full story here. Consumer confidence ticks higher in July, but job concerns persist Consumer confidence saw an uptick in July, with many Americans adjusting their expectations following a rebound from the lows triggered by President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements. However, confidence still lags the elevated levels observed last year, and labor market concerns remain top of mind, according to new data released Tuesday morning. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for July rose to 97.2, surpassing both June's revised figure of 95.2 and the 96.0 reading anticipated by economists. "In July, pessimism about the future receded somewhat, leading to a slight improvement in overall confidence," Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of global indicators at The Conference Board, said in the release. The "Present Situation Index," which measures consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell 1.5 points to 131.5 in July. The "Expectations Index," which tracks consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, rose to 74.4 in February from 69.9 last month. Historically, a reading below 80 in that category signals a recession in the coming year. Notably, Americans' appraisal of current job availability weakened for the seventh consecutive month, reaching its lowest point since March 2021. In July, 18.9% of consumers reported that jobs were hard to get, up from 14.5% in January. According to Guichard, consumers' write-in responses highlighted that tariffs remained a significant concern, with many associating them with fears of rising prices. References to high prices and inflation also increased in July, even as consumers' average 12-month inflation expectations eased slightly to 5.8%, down from 5.9% in June and a peak of 7% in April. Job openings slide in June, as hiring rate hits 7-month low Job openings declined in June while hiring also decreased, according to government data released Tuesday. The report comes as investors closely watch for any signs of slowing in the labor market amid a debate over when the Federal Reserve could start to cut interest rates again. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 7.44 million jobs open at the end of June, a decrease from the 7.71 million seen the month prior. May's report had the highest number of job openings since November 2024. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that 5.2 million hires were made in June, down from the 5.47 million in May. The hiring rate ticked lower to 3.3% from the 3.4% seen the month prior and stood at its lowest level since November 2024. In one sign that workers remain cautious about labor market conditions, the quits rate — a sign of confidence among workers — hovered at 2%. Both the hiring and quits rates are floating near decade lows, reflecting what economists have described as a labor market in "stasis." Royal Caribbean lifts annual profit forecast on steady cruise demand Royal Caribbean's (RCL) stock fell 8% on Tuesday after the cruise line forecast its current-quarter profit below estimates. The company raised its annual forecast and is banking on resilient demand for its luxury destinations. Reuters reports: Read more here. P&G shares slip as it warns of $1 billion tariff hit Procter & Gamble (PG) stock dipped about 1%, reversing a slight pre-market gain, as the company took a cautious approach with its financial outlook while it navigates uncertain consumer sentiment and Trump's tariffs. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read the full story here. Tech leads stocks higher at the open The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led US stocks higher at the open on Tuesday morning with a 0.5% gain. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.2% on the heels of notching a sixth all-time closing high in a row on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) opened roughly flat. Investors are digesting a wave of earnings reports and US trade data showing a sharp narrowing in the deficit (as tariffs loom). Meanwhile, they are looking ahead to the JOLTS job openings update for June at 10 a.m. ET. for labor market insight. Major drugmakers trade mixed as financial updates come in Among the top drugmakers reporting earnings on Tuesday, AstraZeneca (AZN, AZN.L) rose almost 2%, and Merck fell nearly 4% before the market open. British drugmaker AstraZeneca reported second quarter revenue ahead of expectations Tuesday, with its cancer drugs helping fuel sales for the period. Meanwhile, fellow pharma giant Merck (MRK) reported earnings below Wall Street's projections, according to Bloomberg consensus data, and revenue from its HPV vaccine Gardasil was also less than expected amid continued headwinds in China. Investors are also bracing for patents for Merck's drug Keytruda (which accounted for roughly half of its second quarter revenue) to expire in 2028. Also on Tuesday, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's (NVO) stock plummeted roughly 20%. The firm cut its 2025 revenue and profit outlook, pointing to lower than expected sales growth of its obesity drug Wegovy in the US, ahead of its second quarter earnings results slated for Aug. 6. Trump's DOJ puts companies on notice: Don't evade tariffs The Justice Department is putting American companies on notice that they could be prosecuted if they chose to evade President Trump's tariffs, even as the legality of the president's "Liberation Day" duties remain unsettled in US courts. Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. Nvidia leads Mag 7 higher on sign of 'enormous pent-up demand' from China Nvidia (NVDA) led the Big Tech "Magnificent Seven" stocks higher on Tuesday before the market open, climbing 1.4%. The gain came after Reuters reported that the AI chipmaker had ordered 300,000 H20 chips from its contract manufacturer TSMC. "This supports our theory that there is enormous pent-up demand for NVDA chips from China right now," Hedgeye Risk Management analyst Felix Wang wrote in a note to clients. Meanwhile, Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Amazon (AMZN) rose fractionally ahead of their quarterly earnings reports later this week. Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), and Tesla (TSLA) traded down less than 1%. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: S&P CoreLogic 20-city home price index (May); Conference Board consumer confidence, July; Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (June); Dallas Fed services activity (July) Earnings: Boeing (BA), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Caesars (CZR), Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Merck (MRK), PayPal (PYPL), Procter & Gamble (PG), Spotify (SPOT), Starbucks (SBUX), SoFi (SOFI), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), UPS (UPS), Visa (V) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: The market is finally getting what it wants 35 charts explain markets and the economy right now UnitedHealth stock falls after reporting mixed Q2 earnings Sarepta stock soars as FDA reverses course on gene therapy pause Spotify stock slides after Q2 earnings and revenue miss Trump's DOJ puts companies on notice on tariffs US, EU rush to clinch final details and lock in trade deal Apple to Shutter a Retail Store in China for the First Time Ever Stellantis faces $1.7B hit from US tariffs this year Trending tickers: UPS, Whilepool and Royal Caribbean Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: UPS (UPS) stock fell over 2% before the bell on Tuesday after reporting a drop in second-quarter profit and revenue, as demand took a hit from new "de minimis" tariffs on low-value Chinese shipments and mounting risks from President Donald Trump's trade policies. Whirlpool (WHR) stock fell premarket on Tuesday. after the appliance maker slashed its earnings outlook the day prior. Royal Caribbean (RCL) stock rose 4% before the bell after raising its annual profit forecast on Tuesday, banking on resilient demand for the cruise operator's high-end private island destinations and premium sailings. The market is finally getting what it wants Wall Street's busiest week of the summer is turning out to be an inflection point. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban explains why in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Spotify stock sinks after Q2 earnings miss Spotify (SPOT) shares fell as much as 10% in early premarket trading Tuesday after the company missed second quarter earnings and revenue expectations. The results follow a remarkable 120% rally over the past year, as the stock rebounded from 2022 lows on the back of price hikes, cost cuts, and investor enthusiasm for AI and advertising. Spotify hit a record high of $738.45 earlier this month, but shares slid to around $635 immediately following the results. Spotify reported second quarter revenue of €4.19 billion ($4.86 billion), missing analyst expectations of €4.27 billion, though up from €3.81 billion in the same period last year. The company posted an adjusted loss of €0.42 ($0.49) per share, sharply missing forecasts for a profit of €1.97 and down from earnings of €1.33 in Q2 2024. "Outsized currency movements during the quarter impacted reported revenue by €104 million vs. guidance," the company said in the earnings release. Operating income also fell short of expectations in the quarter, though subscriber metrics for both premium and ad-supported tiers came in ahead of estimates. Gross margins of 31.5% came in as expected. Spotify's massive rally heading into the earnings report was fueled by a sweeping business overhaul, including layoffs, leadership changes, and a pullback from costly podcast exclusivity. After spending $1 billion to build out its podcast business, the company has since scaled back and narrowed its focus. Still, it remains committed to the medium, paying over $100 million to creators in Q1 alone, including high-profile names like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper. Read more here. UnitedHealth stock slips after mixed Q2 results Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) fell nearly 3% after its quarterly results before the bell painted a mixed picture. Yahoo Finance's Anjalee Khemlani reports: Read more here. Sarepta stock rockets higher after FDA greenlight Shares in drugmaker Sarepta (SRPT) rocketed up over 30% in premarket after the embattled company got the FDA's go-ahead to resume shipments of its Elevdis gene therapy. The greenlight comes after Sarepta put a voluntary pause on shipments for some patients while the US regulator reviewed its safety following deaths. The FDA on Monday recommended that the compa lift that halt. Sarepta's stock is poised to build on a 16% gain on Monday, continuing a recent volatile spell triggered by changing fortunes for its best-selling product. AP reports: Read more here. Nvidia orders 300,000 H20 chips from TSMC to satiate Chinese demand Reuters reports: Nvidia placed orders for 300,000 H20 chipsets with contract manufacturer TSMC last week, two sources said, with one of them adding that strong Chinese demand had led the U.S. firm to change its mind about just relying on its existing stockpile. Read more here. Oil maintains gains with tariffs and OPEC+ supply in sight Oil maintained gains following Trump putting pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine with economic sanctions against Putin's government on the table. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. One reason the roaring stock market rally has more room to run Several strategists in the fifth volume of the Yahoo Finance Chartbook help explain why the S&P 500's rally could continue. While trades like meme stocks have begun bubbling up once more, Goldman Sachs senior equity strategist Ben Snider told us their equity sentiment index is still reading "neutral." Goldman's equity sentiment indicator combines nine measures of positioning in US stocks across investor groups including hedge funds, mutual funds, and retail investors. In other words, this isn't a sentiment index based on vibes. It's based on where money actually is in the market. As Snider's chart below shows, at a current reading of 0, investor sentiment could certainly have plenty of room to move higher. "While valuation multiples sit at elevated levels relative to history, constrained positioning indicates room for the recent equity rally to continue," Snider told us. Deutsche Bank chief global strategist Binky Chadha made a similar point with his Chartbook submission. "Equity positioning tends to align with earnings growth but is currently still below what we expect for Q2 and we look for a typical earnings season rally," Chadha said. "Our outlook out to year end sees a rise in equity positioning as one of the drivers of further upside for equity prices." To see Chadha's chart and 34 more that help explain the state of markets and the US economy right now, read the full Yahoo Finance Chartbook here. Several strategists in the fifth volume of the Yahoo Finance Chartbook help explain why the S&P 500's rally could continue. While trades like meme stocks have begun bubbling up once more, Goldman Sachs senior equity strategist Ben Snider told us their equity sentiment index is still reading "neutral." Goldman's equity sentiment indicator combines nine measures of positioning in US stocks across investor groups including hedge funds, mutual funds, and retail investors. In other words, this isn't a sentiment index based on vibes. It's based on where money actually is in the market. As Snider's chart below shows, at a current reading of 0, investor sentiment could certainly have plenty of room to move higher. "While valuation multiples sit at elevated levels relative to history, constrained positioning indicates room for the recent equity rally to continue," Snider told us. Deutsche Bank chief global strategist Binky Chadha made a similar point with his Chartbook submission. "Equity positioning tends to align with earnings growth but is currently still below what we expect for Q2 and we look for a typical earnings season rally," Chadha said. "Our outlook out to year end sees a rise in equity positioning as one of the drivers of further upside for equity prices." To see Chadha's chart and 34 more that help explain the state of markets and the US economy right now, read the full Yahoo Finance Chartbook here. Starbucks set to report 6th straight US sales decline as CEO Brian Niccol continues turnaround efforts Starbucks (SBUX) is set to report results for its fiscal third quarter after the market close on Tuesday as CEO Brian Niccol continues turnaround efforts and the company is expected to extend its US sales slump while facing an uncertain consumer environment, Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports. DiPalma writes: Read more about the coffee chain's upcoming earnings results and stock here. Starbucks (SBUX) is set to report results for its fiscal third quarter after the market close on Tuesday as CEO Brian Niccol continues turnaround efforts and the company is expected to extend its US sales slump while facing an uncertain consumer environment, Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports. DiPalma writes: Read more about the coffee chain's upcoming earnings results and stock here. UPS stock drops as it declines to provide 2025 sales outlook United Parcel Service (UPS) stock sank more than 9% as the company declined to provide a financial outlook for the upcoming quarter or full year. "For our sector, this remains a very unsettling time," CEO Carol Tome said on a call with analysts Tuesday morning following UPS' second quarter earnings. "Changes in trade policy have not been cemented and the impact on customer demand and the overall economy is unknown." UPS also declined to provide guidance in its first quarter. For the second quarter, the company reported earnings per share roughly in line with Wall Street's projections and sales ahead of estimates, according to Bloomberg consensus data, despite declining from the prior year. United Parcel Service (UPS) stock sank more than 9% as the company declined to provide a financial outlook for the upcoming quarter or full year. "For our sector, this remains a very unsettling time," CEO Carol Tome said on a call with analysts Tuesday morning following UPS' second quarter earnings. "Changes in trade policy have not been cemented and the impact on customer demand and the overall economy is unknown." UPS also declined to provide guidance in its first quarter. For the second quarter, the company reported earnings per share roughly in line with Wall Street's projections and sales ahead of estimates, according to Bloomberg consensus data, despite declining from the prior year. Stellantis to absorb $1.7 billion in tariff costs in 2025 Stellantis (STLA) shares fell 2% after the Big Three automaker updated its financial results for the first half of the year, after releasing preliminary figures last week. The company said President Trump's tariffs will cost it 1.5 billion euros ($1.73 billion) in 2025, reports Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian. Subramanian writes: Read the full story here. Stellantis (STLA) shares fell 2% after the Big Three automaker updated its financial results for the first half of the year, after releasing preliminary figures last week. The company said President Trump's tariffs will cost it 1.5 billion euros ($1.73 billion) in 2025, reports Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian. Subramanian writes: Read the full story here. Consumer confidence ticks higher in July, but job concerns persist Consumer confidence saw an uptick in July, with many Americans adjusting their expectations following a rebound from the lows triggered by President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements. However, confidence still lags the elevated levels observed last year, and labor market concerns remain top of mind, according to new data released Tuesday morning. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for July rose to 97.2, surpassing both June's revised figure of 95.2 and the 96.0 reading anticipated by economists. "In July, pessimism about the future receded somewhat, leading to a slight improvement in overall confidence," Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of global indicators at The Conference Board, said in the release. The "Present Situation Index," which measures consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell 1.5 points to 131.5 in July. The "Expectations Index," which tracks consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, rose to 74.4 in February from 69.9 last month. Historically, a reading below 80 in that category signals a recession in the coming year. Notably, Americans' appraisal of current job availability weakened for the seventh consecutive month, reaching its lowest point since March 2021. In July, 18.9% of consumers reported that jobs were hard to get, up from 14.5% in January. According to Guichard, consumers' write-in responses highlighted that tariffs remained a significant concern, with many associating them with fears of rising prices. References to high prices and inflation also increased in July, even as consumers' average 12-month inflation expectations eased slightly to 5.8%, down from 5.9% in June and a peak of 7% in April. Consumer confidence saw an uptick in July, with many Americans adjusting their expectations following a rebound from the lows triggered by President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements. However, confidence still lags the elevated levels observed last year, and labor market concerns remain top of mind, according to new data released Tuesday morning. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for July rose to 97.2, surpassing both June's revised figure of 95.2 and the 96.0 reading anticipated by economists. "In July, pessimism about the future receded somewhat, leading to a slight improvement in overall confidence," Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of global indicators at The Conference Board, said in the release. The "Present Situation Index," which measures consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell 1.5 points to 131.5 in July. The "Expectations Index," which tracks consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions, rose to 74.4 in February from 69.9 last month. Historically, a reading below 80 in that category signals a recession in the coming year. Notably, Americans' appraisal of current job availability weakened for the seventh consecutive month, reaching its lowest point since March 2021. In July, 18.9% of consumers reported that jobs were hard to get, up from 14.5% in January. According to Guichard, consumers' write-in responses highlighted that tariffs remained a significant concern, with many associating them with fears of rising prices. References to high prices and inflation also increased in July, even as consumers' average 12-month inflation expectations eased slightly to 5.8%, down from 5.9% in June and a peak of 7% in April. Job openings slide in June, as hiring rate hits 7-month low Job openings declined in June while hiring also decreased, according to government data released Tuesday. The report comes as investors closely watch for any signs of slowing in the labor market amid a debate over when the Federal Reserve could start to cut interest rates again. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 7.44 million jobs open at the end of June, a decrease from the 7.71 million seen the month prior. May's report had the highest number of job openings since November 2024. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that 5.2 million hires were made in June, down from the 5.47 million in May. The hiring rate ticked lower to 3.3% from the 3.4% seen the month prior and stood at its lowest level since November 2024. In one sign that workers remain cautious about labor market conditions, the quits rate — a sign of confidence among workers — hovered at 2%. Both the hiring and quits rates are floating near decade lows, reflecting what economists have described as a labor market in "stasis." Job openings declined in June while hiring also decreased, according to government data released Tuesday. The report comes as investors closely watch for any signs of slowing in the labor market amid a debate over when the Federal Reserve could start to cut interest rates again. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 7.44 million jobs open at the end of June, a decrease from the 7.71 million seen the month prior. May's report had the highest number of job openings since November 2024. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that 5.2 million hires were made in June, down from the 5.47 million in May. The hiring rate ticked lower to 3.3% from the 3.4% seen the month prior and stood at its lowest level since November 2024. In one sign that workers remain cautious about labor market conditions, the quits rate — a sign of confidence among workers — hovered at 2%. Both the hiring and quits rates are floating near decade lows, reflecting what economists have described as a labor market in "stasis." Royal Caribbean lifts annual profit forecast on steady cruise demand Royal Caribbean's (RCL) stock fell 8% on Tuesday after the cruise line forecast its current-quarter profit below estimates. The company raised its annual forecast and is banking on resilient demand for its luxury destinations. Reuters reports: Read more here. Royal Caribbean's (RCL) stock fell 8% on Tuesday after the cruise line forecast its current-quarter profit below estimates. The company raised its annual forecast and is banking on resilient demand for its luxury destinations. Reuters reports: Read more here. P&G shares slip as it warns of $1 billion tariff hit Procter & Gamble (PG) stock dipped about 1%, reversing a slight pre-market gain, as the company took a cautious approach with its financial outlook while it navigates uncertain consumer sentiment and Trump's tariffs. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read the full story here. Procter & Gamble (PG) stock dipped about 1%, reversing a slight pre-market gain, as the company took a cautious approach with its financial outlook while it navigates uncertain consumer sentiment and Trump's tariffs. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read the full story here. Tech leads stocks higher at the open The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led US stocks higher at the open on Tuesday morning with a 0.5% gain. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.2% on the heels of notching a sixth all-time closing high in a row on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) opened roughly flat. Investors are digesting a wave of earnings reports and US trade data showing a sharp narrowing in the deficit (as tariffs loom). Meanwhile, they are looking ahead to the JOLTS job openings update for June at 10 a.m. ET. for labor market insight. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led US stocks higher at the open on Tuesday morning with a 0.5% gain. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.2% on the heels of notching a sixth all-time closing high in a row on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) opened roughly flat. Investors are digesting a wave of earnings reports and US trade data showing a sharp narrowing in the deficit (as tariffs loom). Meanwhile, they are looking ahead to the JOLTS job openings update for June at 10 a.m. ET. for labor market insight. Major drugmakers trade mixed as financial updates come in Among the top drugmakers reporting earnings on Tuesday, AstraZeneca (AZN, AZN.L) rose almost 2%, and Merck fell nearly 4% before the market open. British drugmaker AstraZeneca reported second quarter revenue ahead of expectations Tuesday, with its cancer drugs helping fuel sales for the period. Meanwhile, fellow pharma giant Merck (MRK) reported earnings below Wall Street's projections, according to Bloomberg consensus data, and revenue from its HPV vaccine Gardasil was also less than expected amid continued headwinds in China. Investors are also bracing for patents for Merck's drug Keytruda (which accounted for roughly half of its second quarter revenue) to expire in 2028. Also on Tuesday, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's (NVO) stock plummeted roughly 20%. The firm cut its 2025 revenue and profit outlook, pointing to lower than expected sales growth of its obesity drug Wegovy in the US, ahead of its second quarter earnings results slated for Aug. 6. Among the top drugmakers reporting earnings on Tuesday, AstraZeneca (AZN, AZN.L) rose almost 2%, and Merck fell nearly 4% before the market open. British drugmaker AstraZeneca reported second quarter revenue ahead of expectations Tuesday, with its cancer drugs helping fuel sales for the period. Meanwhile, fellow pharma giant Merck (MRK) reported earnings below Wall Street's projections, according to Bloomberg consensus data, and revenue from its HPV vaccine Gardasil was also less than expected amid continued headwinds in China. Investors are also bracing for patents for Merck's drug Keytruda (which accounted for roughly half of its second quarter revenue) to expire in 2028. Also on Tuesday, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's (NVO) stock plummeted roughly 20%. The firm cut its 2025 revenue and profit outlook, pointing to lower than expected sales growth of its obesity drug Wegovy in the US, ahead of its second quarter earnings results slated for Aug. 6. Trump's DOJ puts companies on notice: Don't evade tariffs The Justice Department is putting American companies on notice that they could be prosecuted if they chose to evade President Trump's tariffs, even as the legality of the president's "Liberation Day" duties remain unsettled in US courts. Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. The Justice Department is putting American companies on notice that they could be prosecuted if they chose to evade President Trump's tariffs, even as the legality of the president's "Liberation Day" duties remain unsettled in US courts. Yahoo Finance's Alexis Keenan reports: Read more here. Nvidia leads Mag 7 higher on sign of 'enormous pent-up demand' from China Nvidia (NVDA) led the Big Tech "Magnificent Seven" stocks higher on Tuesday before the market open, climbing 1.4%. The gain came after Reuters reported that the AI chipmaker had ordered 300,000 H20 chips from its contract manufacturer TSMC. "This supports our theory that there is enormous pent-up demand for NVDA chips from China right now," Hedgeye Risk Management analyst Felix Wang wrote in a note to clients. Meanwhile, Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Amazon (AMZN) rose fractionally ahead of their quarterly earnings reports later this week. Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), and Tesla (TSLA) traded down less than 1%. Nvidia (NVDA) led the Big Tech "Magnificent Seven" stocks higher on Tuesday before the market open, climbing 1.4%. The gain came after Reuters reported that the AI chipmaker had ordered 300,000 H20 chips from its contract manufacturer TSMC. "This supports our theory that there is enormous pent-up demand for NVDA chips from China right now," Hedgeye Risk Management analyst Felix Wang wrote in a note to clients. Meanwhile, Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Amazon (AMZN) rose fractionally ahead of their quarterly earnings reports later this week. Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), and Tesla (TSLA) traded down less than 1%. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: S&P CoreLogic 20-city home price index (May); Conference Board consumer confidence, July; Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (June); Dallas Fed services activity (July) Earnings: Boeing (BA), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Caesars (CZR), Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Merck (MRK), PayPal (PYPL), Procter & Gamble (PG), Spotify (SPOT), Starbucks (SBUX), SoFi (SOFI), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), UPS (UPS), Visa (V) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: The market is finally getting what it wants 35 charts explain markets and the economy right now UnitedHealth stock falls after reporting mixed Q2 earnings Sarepta stock soars as FDA reverses course on gene therapy pause Spotify stock slides after Q2 earnings and revenue miss Trump's DOJ puts companies on notice on tariffs US, EU rush to clinch final details and lock in trade deal Apple to Shutter a Retail Store in China for the First Time Ever Stellantis faces $1.7B hit from US tariffs this year Economic data: S&P CoreLogic 20-city home price index (May); Conference Board consumer confidence, July; Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (June); Dallas Fed services activity (July) Earnings: Boeing (BA), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Caesars (CZR), Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Merck (MRK), PayPal (PYPL), Procter & Gamble (PG), Spotify (SPOT), Starbucks (SBUX), SoFi (SOFI), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), UPS (UPS), Visa (V) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: The market is finally getting what it wants 35 charts explain markets and the economy right now UnitedHealth stock falls after reporting mixed Q2 earnings Sarepta stock soars as FDA reverses course on gene therapy pause Spotify stock slides after Q2 earnings and revenue miss Trump's DOJ puts companies on notice on tariffs US, EU rush to clinch final details and lock in trade deal Apple to Shutter a Retail Store in China for the First Time Ever Stellantis faces $1.7B hit from US tariffs this year Trending tickers: UPS, Whilepool and Royal Caribbean Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: UPS (UPS) stock fell over 2% before the bell on Tuesday after reporting a drop in second-quarter profit and revenue, as demand took a hit from new "de minimis" tariffs on low-value Chinese shipments and mounting risks from President Donald Trump's trade policies. Whirlpool (WHR) stock fell premarket on Tuesday. after the appliance maker slashed its earnings outlook the day prior. Royal Caribbean (RCL) stock rose 4% before the bell after raising its annual profit forecast on Tuesday, banking on resilient demand for the cruise operator's high-end private island destinations and premium sailings. Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: UPS (UPS) stock fell over 2% before the bell on Tuesday after reporting a drop in second-quarter profit and revenue, as demand took a hit from new "de minimis" tariffs on low-value Chinese shipments and mounting risks from President Donald Trump's trade policies. Whirlpool (WHR) stock fell premarket on Tuesday. after the appliance maker slashed its earnings outlook the day prior. Royal Caribbean (RCL) stock rose 4% before the bell after raising its annual profit forecast on Tuesday, banking on resilient demand for the cruise operator's high-end private island destinations and premium sailings. The market is finally getting what it wants Wall Street's busiest week of the summer is turning out to be an inflection point. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban explains why in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Wall Street's busiest week of the summer is turning out to be an inflection point. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban explains why in today's Morning Brief: Read more here. Spotify stock sinks after Q2 earnings miss Spotify (SPOT) shares fell as much as 10% in early premarket trading Tuesday after the company missed second quarter earnings and revenue expectations. The results follow a remarkable 120% rally over the past year, as the stock rebounded from 2022 lows on the back of price hikes, cost cuts, and investor enthusiasm for AI and advertising. Spotify hit a record high of $738.45 earlier this month, but shares slid to around $635 immediately following the results. Spotify reported second quarter revenue of €4.19 billion ($4.86 billion), missing analyst expectations of €4.27 billion, though up from €3.81 billion in the same period last year. The company posted an adjusted loss of €0.42 ($0.49) per share, sharply missing forecasts for a profit of €1.97 and down from earnings of €1.33 in Q2 2024. "Outsized currency movements during the quarter impacted reported revenue by €104 million vs. guidance," the company said in the earnings release. Operating income also fell short of expectations in the quarter, though subscriber metrics for both premium and ad-supported tiers came in ahead of estimates. Gross margins of 31.5% came in as expected. Spotify's massive rally heading into the earnings report was fueled by a sweeping business overhaul, including layoffs, leadership changes, and a pullback from costly podcast exclusivity. After spending $1 billion to build out its podcast business, the company has since scaled back and narrowed its focus. Still, it remains committed to the medium, paying over $100 million to creators in Q1 alone, including high-profile names like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper. Read more here. Spotify (SPOT) shares fell as much as 10% in early premarket trading Tuesday after the company missed second quarter earnings and revenue expectations. The results follow a remarkable 120% rally over the past year, as the stock rebounded from 2022 lows on the back of price hikes, cost cuts, and investor enthusiasm for AI and advertising. Spotify hit a record high of $738.45 earlier this month, but shares slid to around $635 immediately following the results. Spotify reported second quarter revenue of €4.19 billion ($4.86 billion), missing analyst expectations of €4.27 billion, though up from €3.81 billion in the same period last year. The company posted an adjusted loss of €0.42 ($0.49) per share, sharply missing forecasts for a profit of €1.97 and down from earnings of €1.33 in Q2 2024. "Outsized currency movements during the quarter impacted reported revenue by €104 million vs. guidance," the company said in the earnings release. Operating income also fell short of expectations in the quarter, though subscriber metrics for both premium and ad-supported tiers came in ahead of estimates. Gross margins of 31.5% came in as expected. Spotify's massive rally heading into the earnings report was fueled by a sweeping business overhaul, including layoffs, leadership changes, and a pullback from costly podcast exclusivity. After spending $1 billion to build out its podcast business, the company has since scaled back and narrowed its focus. Still, it remains committed to the medium, paying over $100 million to creators in Q1 alone, including high-profile names like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper. Read more here. UnitedHealth stock slips after mixed Q2 results Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) fell nearly 3% after its quarterly results before the bell painted a mixed picture. Yahoo Finance's Anjalee Khemlani reports: Read more here. Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) fell nearly 3% after its quarterly results before the bell painted a mixed picture. Yahoo Finance's Anjalee Khemlani reports: Read more here. Sarepta stock rockets higher after FDA greenlight Shares in drugmaker Sarepta (SRPT) rocketed up over 30% in premarket after the embattled company got the FDA's go-ahead to resume shipments of its Elevdis gene therapy. The greenlight comes after Sarepta put a voluntary pause on shipments for some patients while the US regulator reviewed its safety following deaths. The FDA on Monday recommended that the compa lift that halt. Sarepta's stock is poised to build on a 16% gain on Monday, continuing a recent volatile spell triggered by changing fortunes for its best-selling product. AP reports: Read more here. Shares in drugmaker Sarepta (SRPT) rocketed up over 30% in premarket after the embattled company got the FDA's go-ahead to resume shipments of its Elevdis gene therapy. The greenlight comes after Sarepta put a voluntary pause on shipments for some patients while the US regulator reviewed its safety following deaths. The FDA on Monday recommended that the compa lift that halt. Sarepta's stock is poised to build on a 16% gain on Monday, continuing a recent volatile spell triggered by changing fortunes for its best-selling product. AP reports: Read more here. Nvidia orders 300,000 H20 chips from TSMC to satiate Chinese demand Reuters reports: Nvidia placed orders for 300,000 H20 chipsets with contract manufacturer TSMC last week, two sources said, with one of them adding that strong Chinese demand had led the U.S. firm to change its mind about just relying on its existing stockpile. Read more here. Reuters reports: Nvidia placed orders for 300,000 H20 chipsets with contract manufacturer TSMC last week, two sources said, with one of them adding that strong Chinese demand had led the U.S. firm to change its mind about just relying on its existing stockpile. Read more here. Oil maintains gains with tariffs and OPEC+ supply in sight Oil maintained gains following Trump putting pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine with economic sanctions against Putin's government on the table. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Oil maintained gains following Trump putting pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine with economic sanctions against Putin's government on the table. Bloomberg reports: Read more here.
