Market Snapshot: Key Highlights
US markets posted modest gains for the week, navigating a volatile stretch shaped by the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady and a sharp divergence in sector performance driven by earnings results.
- The S&P 500 rose 1.1% on the week, supported by a surge in select technology heavyweights, though gains were tempered by a broad selloff in semiconductor stocks.
- Treasury yields were mixed, with shorter-dated yields declining modestly while longer-dated yields rose sharply, reflecting investor concern that persistent inflation may require the Fed to resume tightening.
- WTI crude oil fell approximately 5.2% over the week, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continuing to create uncertainty around energy supply.
- The Consumer Confidence index came in at 90.8 for July, below the 92.4 estimate, suggesting households remain cautious — a potential headwind for consumer spending.
- The Q2 2026 GDP advance estimate showed the economy grew at an annualized 1.5%, below the 2.0% expectation and a slowdown from the prior quarter.
