Evening Market Recap - Wednesday, 9-Jul

US equities finished higher in Thursday trading, ending a bit off best levels. S&P 500 and Nasdaq set fresh record closing highs. It was another quiet session with the market seemingly in waiting mode for June CPI next Tuesday and the start of Q2 earnings season (big banks begin reporting on 15-Jul). The market still seems to be more focused on potential trade policy off-ramps, particularly following this week's reciprocal tariff deadline extension.

US equities were higher in Wednesday trading as stocks ended just off their best levels, with the Dow Jones, S&P500, and Nasdaq closing up 49bps, 61bps, and 94bps respectively. No notable directional drivers in play. MBA mortgage purchase applications jumped to their highest level since early 2023. Nvidia became the first company with a $4T market cap. Retailers took in $7.9B in the first 24 hours of Amazon Prime Day, up 10% y/y, according to Adobe Analytics.

US equities finished mixed in choppy but largely uneventful Tuesday trading. Still all about trade with some reprieve surrounding extension of reciprocal tariff deadline to 1-Aug and White House signaling on more deal announcements in the works. NFIB small business optimism index declined slightly in June

US equities were higher in Thursday trading as stocks ended near best levels. The biggest focus today was on the Big, Beautiful Bill, which is set to pass a vote on final passage today and will move to Trump's desk in time for his long-preferred 4-Jul deadline. The Market is digesting mixed takeaways from June payrolls, including a headline beat and revisions higher but weaker private payrolls, and AHE cooler.

US equities finished mostly higher in Wednesday trading, ending near best levels, with the Dow Jones closing down 2bps, while the S&P500 and Nasdaq finished up 47bps and 94bps respectively, setting new fresh record closes and the major indices on track for healthy gains in the holiday-shortened week. Negative ADP print received some attention, Big Beautiful Bill moved to the House after passing in the Senate, and Trump announced a trade deal with Vietnam involving a 20% overall tariff. Overseas, gilts sold off sharply after UK prime minister Starmer declined to say that Chancellor Reeves would stay in her role until the end of parliament.

US equities were mostly higher in Tuesday trading, though ended a bit off best levels. Tuesday trading was fairly choppy after market closed out a very strong Q2 on Monday. Senate passed GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill, as largely expected.

US equities were higher in Monday trading, ending near best levels, with the S&P and Nasdaq setting new record closes. It was a fairly quiet session, though there were a few trade headlines of note. It was a fairly light economic day today, with June’s Dallas Fed manufacturing just a bit weaker than forecast.

US equities were higher this week as the S&P 500 broke a streak of two-straight weekly declines. Easing geopolitical tensions and trade updates were a key tailwind this week. However, the reconciliation bill remains a key market overhang.

US equities were higher in Thursday trading, as stocks ended near best levels. Much of the focus in the market continues to revolve around the political pressure on the Fed to cut rates, and the potential for Trump to name a Powell successor as early as this summer. Initial jobless claims down 10K w/w to 236K, better than expected and lowest since mid-May. Lots of Fedspeak today, with Chicago's Goolsbee, Governor Barr, Richmond's Barkin, San Francisco's Daly, and Boston's Collins all speaking. 

US equities finished mixed today, with the Dow Jones down 25bps, the S&P500 flat, and the Nasdaq rising 31bps. May new home sales posted a big miss, lowest since October, and weakest May print since 2019. Fed Chair Powell delivered his second day of monetary policy testimony commenting future trade deals may allow the Fed to consider rate cuts. Fed also announced its proposed SLR changes. Today's $70B 5-year note auction stopped through 0.5 bp.