Ep29: Tech Recalibrates & Consumers Steady: Markets Brace for Jackson Hole — August 20th, 2025

On Wednesday, markets moved gently sideways, with the Dow closing at 44,938.31, barely changed, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.2% to 6,395.78 and the Nasdaq drifted lower to 21,172.86, led by softness in technology. Across sectors, semiconductor names like Micron, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia weighed on sentiment, while retail told a split story — Target falling 10% on leadership changes and softer sales, and Lowe’s rising 3% on solid earnings and a bold $8.8 billion acquisition. Staples such as Walmart, Costco, and Dollar General moved gently higher, showing the resilience of everyday demand, even as furniture-maker La-Z-Boy collapsed 25% on weak results.Abroad, Asia mirrored Wall Street’s declines, with Japan and South Korea dragged down by chip weakness, though China gained modestly on renewed hopes for stimulus. In Europe, the FTSE 100 set a new record, and the Stoxx 600 advanced, lifted by consumer staples and healthcare strength.In commodities, Brent crude softened into the low $60s per barrel, gold steadied near $3,380 an ounce, and the 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.3%, quiet ahead of Jackson Hole. Bitcoin traded near $114,000, a reflection of broader caution in risk assets.We close with a look forward — investors are waiting for the Fed’s guidance from Jackson Hole, while retail earnings continue to shape the summer’s narrative. A calm moment in markets, softly balanced between caution and resilience.