Market Storylines: AI Rotation, Jobs Weakness + Earnings Ahead

Michael Reinking, Senior Market Strategist at the NYSE, reviews the strong Q2 rally that carried major indices to record highs, fueled by earnings and investor repositioning following Middle East developments. Leadership remained concentrated in AI-related semiconductor and memory stocks, though concerns around overcapacity, model efficiency, and the sustainability of spending sparked sharp rotations beneath the surface. A weaker-than-expected June jobs report raised questions about labor market momentum. Attention now shifts to inflation data, Fed testimony, the start of earnings season, and whether renewed AI investment announcements can sustain technology leadership.