Market outlook for August 14–21, 2026: July consumer and producer inflation cooled enough to reduce the immediate pressure for another Federal Reserve rate increase. That relief helped the S&P 500 close at a record high and carried the Nasdaq back toward its earlier peak. The next question is more difficult: is technology completing a successful retest before a new … [Read more...] about CPI, PPI and AI Capex: Tech Retest or Lower High
oil
2026 March CPI, Real Earnings Resilience, and the Market’s Iran Risk Problem
Friday's CPI data did not change the core conclusion: the wage and weekly earnings system still appears resilient in real terms, even after a sharp inflation shock. The larger risk for markets remains the instability surrounding Iran, oil, and the Strait of Hormuz. March CPI came in hot, but not above the break-even threshold The March CPI report was stronger … [Read more...] about 2026 March CPI, Real Earnings Resilience, and the Market’s Iran Risk Problem
Latest CPI Report, Energy Prices, and Fiscal Pressure: A Market Sentiment Overview as of March 2026
Updated for the latest U.S. CPI release available as of March 19, 2026 Latest CPI Snapshot: February 2026 As of March 19, 2026, the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index report is the February 2026 release published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on March 11, 2026. Headline CPI rose 2.4% year over year, unchanged from January, while core CPI, excluding … [Read more...] about Latest CPI Report, Energy Prices, and Fiscal Pressure: A Market Sentiment Overview as of March 2026
Are Oil Companies Really Driving Gasoline Inflation in 2026?
A data-driven look at pump prices, crude oil costs, and the overlooked role of taxes and distribution Oil companies are often portrayed as one of the clearest symbols of “greedy capitalism.” However, a closer examination of the 2026 energy crisis data suggests a more nuanced reality. While gasoline prices have surged, the underlying cost … [Read more...] about Are Oil Companies Really Driving Gasoline Inflation in 2026?
OIL “Roller Coaster” — Two Long-Term Sentiments Shaping Markets
General considerations on crude oil volatility, inflation pressure, and financial market behavior The current behavior of crude oil (CL) prices — characterized by sharp swings and persistent volatility — offers a powerful lens through which to understand the underlying sentiments likely to dominate markets over the medium to long term. Both … [Read more...] about OIL “Roller Coaster” — Two Long-Term Sentiments Shaping Markets