Cooler CPI, Weaker Retail Sales, and a Chip Bellwether Stumbles

Soft inflation data has traders leaning toward a Fed hold in September, even as a surprise drop in July retail sales adds to the cooling-economy narrative. Plus, Applied Materials shares slide on weak guidance despite beating earnings, and global equity funds notch a 12th straight week of inflows. In this episode: • Cooler inflation data may force Warsh's divided Fed to hold the line on rates — https://reuters.com/business/cooler-inflation-data-may-force-warshs-divided-fed-hold-line-rates-2026-08-14 • US retail sales post first decline in nine months in July — https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/us-retail-sales-unexpectedly-fall-123738457.html • Applied Materials shares fall on guidance and margin concerns — https://www.marketwatch.com/story/applied-materials-shares-are-down-on-elevated-expectations-heres-why-analysts-say-its-time-to-buy-bd34dd54?mod=mw_rss_topstories • Global equity funds extend inflow streak as earnings optimism and reduced rate-hike bets lift sentiment — https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxQaHdwdGdTdWxKVTJleUJfTEpnS0dNcEMzMENrX1RMRWx2Y1FvaTd5NzFrMW8tNXlvVDdEaVhmd0Q3dHBVSlZYNE5OZm8wcHBkSVduMWRLNHM1R1YtRWNDdkJGWWtTMkVOTWZZc1RZdzRIRlJVeW9HaTM1ejVsQ3NwcnFn?oc=5