The Market ThesisDaily Summary
United States Edition
August 14, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET
By MacroGlide's Analysts
Markets Recap for August 13, 2026
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Rate Hike Fears Ease
What's in the markets today?
US producer prices for July were flat, as the PPI MoM came in at 0, confirming that inflationary pressure remains subdued for manufacturers. This steady inflation reading supported a broad rally, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.65% to a new record high as investors saw less risk of fresh Fed rate hikes. WTI crude oil gained 1.78% to $82.70 after reports of tighter domestic inventories, highlighting renewed supply pressure in energy markets. The latest Initial Jobless Claims figure edged up to 209, signaling some cooling in the labor market. Tech stocks including Apple and Microsoft advanced, with the Nasdaq 100 jumping 1.15% on sustained momentum in the sector.
Benchmark Moves
The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,798.99, rising 0.65% after July's producer price index was unchanged from June, signaling no increase in wholesale input costs. This flat PPI reading eased near-term pressure for further Fed rate hikes and supported higher equity valuations. WTI crude oil gained 1.78% to $82.70, reflecting ongoing supply constraints despite muted US inflation data. Stable producer prices alongside higher energy costs may help sustain broad equity gains but could increase input pressure for some sectors.
Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Key Financial Reports
US earnings mostly trailed expectations, with larger firms missing more often than small-caps. Applied Materials (AMAT) fell short at $2.48 EPS versus a $3.38 estimate, held back by lower margins linked to weaker orders across its semiconductor equipment lines. Tapestry (TPR) also missed, reporting $1.04 EPS as sales slipped for key brands and margin pressure increased due to higher promotion and inventory costs. The balance of these results-especially margin-driven misses in both industrial tech and discretionary consumer segments-signals that companies are still struggling to defend profitability in the face of soft demand and rising expenses.
EPS reported on August 13, 2026 ET. Figures use each company's reported basis.
Key Macroeconomic Reports
US macro data point to a modest economic slowdown. Producer prices were unchanged in July, as PPI MoM held at 0, signaling a pause in cost pressures. At the same time, Initial Jobless Claims rose to 209, an uptick that hints at softer labor demand. Together, stabilizing prices and a cooling job market support the case for steady Fed policy in the near term.
Macroeconomic data released on August 13, 2026 ET.
Top Stories
A quick look at the five stories that shaped today's market sentiment. Explained with brief context highlighting why each story mattered today.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Workday’s stock sees a record surge. Could a buyout spark a software revival?
Workday's stock jumped 18% on Thursday, reaching a new record high, following reports of a potential acquisition by a private equity firm. This surge reflects investor optimism about the company's future prospects amid the buyout speculation. The rise in share price indicates strong market interest and confidence in Workday's value. If the acquisition proceeds, it could lead to significant changes in the company's operations and strategy.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Nvidia, Intel, Google: Wall Street is partying like it’s 1999
Wall Street is showing signs of exuberance reminiscent of the late 1990s dot-com bubble, with major tech stocks like Nvidia, Intel, and Google leading the charge. Analysts note that the current market atmosphere is marked by high valuations and speculative investments. This trend raises concerns about sustainability, as investors may be overly optimistic about growth prospects. The situation calls for caution as history shows that such euphoria can lead to sharp corrections.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Sandisk’s stock is flying higher. Here are the new targets that are exciting Wall Street.
Sandisk's stock has seen significant gains following its announcement of revenue growth forecasts extending to 2030. The memory-chip company anticipates maintaining high profitability levels in the coming years, which has excited investors. This forward-looking guidance suggests confidence in the company's market position and demand for its products. As a result, Wall Street is closely monitoring Sandisk for further developments and potential impacts on the tech sector.
Source: CNBC — Finance
These charts show why stocks keep rallying. Profit margins are the highest on record
S&P 500 companies are reporting record-high profit margins, with a blended net profit margin of 16.9% for the second quarter of 2023. This figure is up from 14.8% in the first quarter and 12.9% a year ago, surpassing the five-year average of 12.4%. Alphabet and Amazon are significant contributors to this increase, with Alphabet's operating margin at 34% and Amazon's at 13.7%. These strong margins reflect improved efficiency and demand across sectors, particularly technology and consumer discretionary.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Bill Ackman once exited his Netflix stake in a huff. He’s buying the streaming giant again, as well as these five stocks.
Bill Ackman has re-entered a stake in Netflix, among five other stocks, after previously exiting his investment in the streaming giant. This decision by Ackman’s Pershing Square highlights renewed confidence in Netflix's growth potential. The move comes as the company navigates a competitive landscape in the streaming industry. Investors will be watching closely to see how Ackman's investment strategy unfolds in the coming months.
Other Headlines
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Explore all past issues →The Market ThesisDaily Summary
United States Edition
August 14, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET
Markets Recap for August 13, 2026
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Rate Hike Fears Ease
What's in the markets today?
US producer prices for July were flat, as the PPI MoM came in at 0, confirming that inflationary pressure remains subdued for manufacturers. This steady inflation reading supported a broad rally, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.65% to a new record high as investors saw less risk of fresh Fed rate hikes. WTI crude oil gained 1.78% to $82.70 after reports of tighter domestic inventories, highlighting renewed supply pressure in energy markets. The latest Initial Jobless Claims figure edged up to 209, signaling some cooling in the labor market. Tech stocks including Apple and Microsoft advanced, with the Nasdaq 100 jumping 1.15% on sustained momentum in the sector.
Benchmark Moves
The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,798.99, rising 0.65% after July's producer price index was unchanged from June, signaling no increase in wholesale input costs. This flat PPI reading eased near-term pressure for further Fed rate hikes and supported higher equity valuations. WTI crude oil gained 1.78% to $82.70, reflecting ongoing supply constraints despite muted US inflation data. Stable producer prices alongside higher energy costs may help sustain broad equity gains but could increase input pressure for some sectors.
Indexes
Detailed View →Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
Stocks
Detailed View →Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
Commodities & Crypto
Detailed View →Market data as of Aug 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Key Financial Reports
US earnings mostly trailed expectations, with larger firms missing more often than small-caps. Applied Materials (AMAT) fell short at $2.48 EPS versus a $3.38 estimate, held back by lower margins linked to weaker orders across its semiconductor equipment lines. Tapestry (TPR) also missed, reporting $1.04 EPS as sales slipped for key brands and margin pressure increased due to higher promotion and inventory costs. The balance of these results-especially margin-driven misses in both industrial tech and discretionary consumer segments-signals that companies are still struggling to defend profitability in the face of soft demand and rising expenses.
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Detailed View →EPS reported on August 13, 2026 ET. Figures use each company's reported basis.
Key Macroeconomic Reports
US macro data point to a modest economic slowdown. Producer prices were unchanged in July, as PPI MoM held at 0, signaling a pause in cost pressures. At the same time, Initial Jobless Claims rose to 209, an uptick that hints at softer labor demand. Together, stabilizing prices and a cooling job market support the case for steady Fed policy in the near term.
Macroeconomic Data
Detailed View →Macroeconomic data released on August 13, 2026 ET.
Top Stories
A quick look at the five stories that shaped today's market sentiment. Explained with brief context highlighting why each story mattered today.
Workday’s stock sees a record surge. Could a buyout spark a software revival?
Workday's stock jumped 18% on Thursday, reaching a new record high, following reports of a potential acquisition by a private equity firm. This surge reflects investor optimism about the company's future prospects amid the buyout speculation. The rise in share price indicates strong market interest and confidence in Workday's value. If the acquisition proceeds, it could lead to significant changes in the company's operations and strategy.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Nvidia, Intel, Google: Wall Street is partying like it’s 1999
Wall Street is showing signs of exuberance reminiscent of the late 1990s dot-com bubble, with major tech stocks like Nvidia, Intel, and Google leading the charge. Analysts note that the current market atmosphere is marked by high valuations and speculative investments. This trend raises concerns about sustainability, as investors may be overly optimistic about growth prospects. The situation calls for caution as history shows that such euphoria can lead to sharp corrections.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Sandisk’s stock is flying higher. Here are the new targets that are exciting Wall Street.
Sandisk's stock has seen significant gains following its announcement of revenue growth forecasts extending to 2030. The memory-chip company anticipates maintaining high profitability levels in the coming years, which has excited investors. This forward-looking guidance suggests confidence in the company's market position and demand for its products. As a result, Wall Street is closely monitoring Sandisk for further developments and potential impacts on the tech sector.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
These charts show why stocks keep rallying. Profit margins are the highest on record
S&P 500 companies are reporting record-high profit margins, with a blended net profit margin of 16.9% for the second quarter of 2023. This figure is up from 14.8% in the first quarter and 12.9% a year ago, surpassing the five-year average of 12.4%. Alphabet and Amazon are significant contributors to this increase, with Alphabet's operating margin at 34% and Amazon's at 13.7%. These strong margins reflect improved efficiency and demand across sectors, particularly technology and consumer discretionary.
Source: CNBC — Finance
Bill Ackman once exited his Netflix stake in a huff. He’s buying the streaming giant again, as well as these five stocks.
Bill Ackman has re-entered a stake in Netflix, among five other stocks, after previously exiting his investment in the streaming giant. This decision by Ackman’s Pershing Square highlights renewed confidence in Netflix's growth potential. The move comes as the company navigates a competitive landscape in the streaming industry. Investors will be watching closely to see how Ackman's investment strategy unfolds in the coming months.
Source: MarketWatch — Top Stories
Other Headlines
The AI boom is not just driving stocks — it’s also moving the foreign-exchange market
The Iran war risks bringing the G7's fastest-growing economy to a halt
Gulf Oil Giants Are Spending Billions to Build Ways Around Strait of Hormuz
Thrive Holdings, A.I.-Focused Buyer of Service Firms, Raises $2 Billion
This Chinese firm has topped Micron and Kioxia in shipments of crucial NAND memory chips
Salesforce’s stock gets a boost as J.P. Morgan says AI fears are overblown
Wholesale prices were flat in July, below expectations for 0.2% increase
America Wants to Make Its Own Humanoid Robots. That Won’t Be Easy.
Inside the $12.5 Billion Deal for the Lakers
'Big Short' investor Steve Eisman sees an Achilles' heel in the AI boom
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