Meta's $1.4 TRILLION Day in Court + Home Depot Quietly Crushes Earnings | August 18, 2026 – Morning Market Briefing

Andrew, Ben, and Tom discuss Meta heading to trial as Kentucky, Colorado, California, and New Jersey allege the platform encourages compulsive use by young people while a broader group of 29 states accuses it of illegally collecting data on children under 13, with potential penalties Meta claims could reach $1.4 trillion though plaintiffs argue the real exposure is closer to $193 billion, Home Depot beating same-store sales expectations despite high financing costs still weighing on large home renovation projects, rising unfilled orders in the Empire State Manufacturing Survey pointing to leaner just-in-time inventory strategies as elevated rates make carrying stock more expensive, and continued stalemate in the Middle East as Iran presses for more control over the Strait of Hormuz, Israel keeps striking in Lebanon, and Gaza ceasefire talks remain stuck.Join our live YouTube stream Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM EST:http://www.youtube.com/@TheMorningMarketBriefingPlease see disclosures:https://www.narwhal.com/disclosure