Policy & Power

Markets

S&P Hits Record High as 86% of Members Blow Past Wall Street Forecasts

Photo via JOHN ANGELILLO/UPI/Newscom

About 86% of reporting S&P 500 companies exceeded consensus earnings-per-share estimates in Q2, but plenty of pitfalls may stymie performance.

2 min read

Photo via John Marshall Mantel/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Industrials

Caterpillar’s Surging Growth, Fueled by AI, Faces Risks From Data-Center Pushback

Despite Caterpillar’s latest earnings beat, some analysts say the equipment giant faces mounting risks from data-center opposition.

2 min read
Photo via IMAGO/Nicolas Koutsokostas/Newscom

Energy

Battered Energy Markets Brace for Second Wartime Disruption

After a welcome pause in hostility, war has put crude oil back on slick footing, with international benchmark Brent rising 13.5% last week.

2 min read
Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Regulation

In Trade War Déjà Vu, Retailers Rush Imports to Avoid New Trump Tariffs

US retailers have spent the summer importing as many goods as possible to capitalize on a small window before a new batch of tariffs arrive.

2 min read

Consumer

Lackluster Retail Sales Mask a (Short-Lived) Silver Lining

Photo via Christopher Beckett/Sipa USA/Newscom

Cooling retail sales growth in June reflects a brief decline in gasoline prices amid a short-lived ceasefire between the US and Iran.

2 min read

Industrials

Space Companies Rocket Upward on SpaceX IPO Hype

Photo via Michael Cain Jr./Sipa USA/Newscom

2 min read

Photo via Richard B. Levine/Newscom

Banking

Congressional Progress on Clarity Act Buoys Spirits in Crypto Circles

The Clarity Act, which may help crypto go mainstream, is moving closer to passage. Here’s a look at what could change.

2 min read
Photo via Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Economics

What Is Inflation, Anyway? Prospective Fed Chief Wants to Redefine It

Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee for Fed chair, wants to make big changes at the central bank. Will he succeed?

2 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside, Photo by SilverV via iStock

Economics

What’s Good for Gas Is Good for the Greenback. But for How Long?

The Iran War reignited demand for the US dollar as a safe haven, but that may not stop the greenback’s longer-term decline.

5 min read

Geopolitics

What’s Next for Oil Tankers Stranded in the Persian Gulf?

Photo via Hindustan Times/Sipa USA/Newscom

The Strait of Hormuz is supposed to be opening for business under a new ceasefire agreement. So far, that doesn’t seem to be happening.

2 min read

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