Intel’s stronger-than-expected earnings have lifted sentiment across semiconductor and technology stocks after recent weakness. The stock rallied following results that beat both consensus and market expectations, helping stabilize the broader chip sector. $INTC

The results also highlight a potential shift in the AI investment narrative. While GPUs remain essential for training large AI models and high-performance inference, the next generation of AI agents is expected to rely more heavily on CPUs for tasks such as web browsing, API interactions and database queries. This trend could benefit CPU leaders like Intel, while companies offering both CPUs and GPUs, such as AMD, may be particularly well positioned. $AMD

Investors should also watch developments in South Korea, where regulators plan to tighten margin requirements on leveraged ETFs. The move could reduce speculative activity and increase the risk of margin-driven selling in semiconductor-related names, including memory stocks that have enjoyed strong momentum in recent months. $MU $SKHY

Geopolitical risks remain elevated, with reports that President Trump is considering a major military strike against Iran. However, markets have largely shrugged off the headlines, as well as reduced tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Investors have also shown limited concern over newly announced U.S. tariffs of 10%–12.5% on imports from 60 countries, suggesting market focus remains firmly on earnings, AI spending and economic fundamentals. $EWY

Alphabet and Tesla delivered earnings that highlighted a growing divide in the AI investment cycle. Although Alphabet exceeded both consensus and market expectations, its quarterly free cash flow turned negative as capital expenditure guidance increased sharply. Tesla also posted negative free cash flow while signaling even heavier spending on AI, robotaxis and humanoid robots. $GOOG $TSLA

Ordinarily, such aggressive AI investment would be expected to boost semiconductor stocks, as chipmakers benefit directly from rising infrastructure spending. Instead, semiconductor shares weakened in early trading, suggesting investors may be reassessing the sector despite continued demand. Texas Instruments also fell after reporting earnings that beat consensus but failed to match elevated whisper expectations, while Intel’s results later today will provide another important read on semiconductor sentiment. $TXN $INTC

Geopolitical tensions are adding to market uncertainty. Houthi attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea have opened a new front in the Middle East conflict, prompting President Trump to warn of significant military retaliation against both the Houthis and Iran. Brent crude is approaching $100 per barrel while U.S. benchmark WTI has climbed above $90, raising concerns that higher energy prices could reignite inflation.

Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected jobless claims point to a resilient labor market despite ongoing AI-driven layoffs, increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates. The European Central Bank left rates unchanged. $SOXL

Semiconductor stocks are pausing after a strong rebound, with the leveraged semiconductor ETF retreating after reaching a key resistance level. Optimism had been building for a continued rally, but renewed geopolitical tensions are weighing on sentiment. $SOXL

The latest catalyst is the reported enforcement of a Houthi blockade in the Red Sea, with several ships turning back near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Combined with ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, the development raises concerns over global oil supplies and the risk of higher energy prices, creating fresh uncertainty for equity markets.

Attention now turns to a busy earnings session featuring Alphabet, Tesla and Texas Instruments. While the technology giants are likely to dominate headlines, Texas Instruments may provide a more valuable read on industrial and AI-related semiconductor demand. Investors will also watch Analog Devices as a key gauge for the broader analog chip market. $TXN $GOOG

Elsewhere, SpaceX faces heightened volatility ahead of a major share unlock on 6 August. Although many expect selling pressure, the unusually large short interest also raises the possibility of a sharp short squeeze instead of the widely anticipated decline.

In Japan, the yen briefly weakened to levels last seen in 1986 as rising oil prices increased concerns for the import-dependent economy. Expectations of faster Bank of Japan rate hikes could have wider implications for the global carry trade and AI-driven markets. $TSLA $SPCX

Semiconductor stocks are rebounding after recent weakness, with the leveraged semiconductor ETF forming a short-term bottoming pattern supported by stronger trading volume. Having already shaken out many stop-loss orders, the sector now faces a key technical test: whether it can reclaim the upper end of its current trading range. $SOXL

Optimism is being fueled by reports that mediators are proposing a 10-day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, easing geopolitical concerns and encouraging investors back into technology shares. Additional support came from a 3.6% overnight gain in South Korea’s KOSPI index, reinforcing the recent pattern of U.S. semiconductor stocks tracking Korean markets.

Investor enthusiasm is also building ahead of upcoming chip earnings, particularly Intel’s results later this week. Buying has been strongest in memory and storage names, including Micron, SK Hynix, Western Digital and Seagate, while networking and optical infrastructure companies have also attracted renewed interest. $MU $INTC $MRVL

Despite the improving tone, geopolitical risks remain elevated. Reports suggest President Trump is considering a broader military campaign against Iran to strengthen the U.S. negotiating position, although any escalation may be constrained by domestic political considerations.

Meanwhile, China is weighing new measures to support its equity market while simultaneously tightening restrictions on exports of advanced domestic AI technologies, highlighting the increasingly strategic nature of the global AI race. $WDC

Micron remains a key indicator for the semiconductor sector as AI models continue to drive demand for high-bandwidth memory. Following a sharp pullback, the stock is trading between key support and resistance levels, with investors watching closely for a breakout that could signal the next move for chipmakers and the broader market. $MU

China’s Moonshot AI model has unsettled Wall Street, but the long-term implications may be more balanced than initial reactions suggest. Memory suppliers stand to benefit from rising demand for high-bandwidth memory, while networking and optical infrastructure providers could also see stronger spending as AI deployments expand. GPU makers face a mixed outlook, as improved efficiency may reduce chip requirements per task, although surging demand could still support overall sales. $NVDA $MRVL

Conversely, frontier AI developers may face greater competitive pressure as advanced Chinese models emerge, while many open-source AI offerings risk losing differentiation. Geopolitical tensions also remain a key uncertainty, with the possibility of future U.S. restrictions on Chinese AI technologies reshaping the competitive landscape.

Elsewhere, reports that the U.S. Department of Defense is considering major computing contracts with SpaceX boosted interest in the company. Rising tensions in the Middle East briefly lifted oil prices before hopes of a 10-day ceasefire eased concerns. Investors will also monitor the Leading Economic Index and forthcoming changes to core PCE inflation calculations. $SPCX $GOOG

Semiconductor stocks remain the key driver of the market, but sentiment has deteriorated after the leveraged semiconductor ETF fell below a major support level. While technical indicators suggest the sector is oversold and due for a rebound, the absence of nearby support means even modest negative news could trigger further declines. Margin calls among leveraged traders may intensify selling until forced liquidations run their course, after which bargain hunters could step in. $SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF)

The latest weakness was sparked by reports that Chinese startup Moonshot has developed an open-source AI model, Kimi K3, that rivals leading U.S. systems while remaining free to download. Although U.S. AI companies are still viewed as holding a technological lead, the announcement has reignited debate over lofty American AI valuations and boosted interest in lower-priced Chinese AI firms. $NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation) $BABA (Alibaba-ADR)

The selloff has spread beyond semiconductors into broader technology and cyclical stocks. Meanwhile, SpaceX shares slipped after a routine launch delay, illustrating how quickly market sentiment can shift. Netflix also declined following earnings that showed slowing growth after strong pre-results optimism. $NFLX (Netflix, Inc.)

Elsewhere, housing starts exceeded expectations, while building permits softened, suggesting current construction activity remains healthy but future momentum may ease. Investors will also watch the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment report for fresh clues on economic resilience. $SPCX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp)

Taiwan Semiconductor delivered another strong quarter, beating earnings and revenue expectations while raising third-quarter guidance. The company also expanded its planned U.S. investment by $100 billion, bringing its total commitment to $265 billion across 12 semiconductor and packaging facilities. Despite the positive results, the stock weakened and approached a key support level, highlighting a shift in market behaviour. $TSM

Rather than responding primarily to company fundamentals, semiconductor stocks are increasingly taking their cue from South Korea. Overnight, South Korean equities fell 6.4% after the Bank of Korea raised interest rates by 25 basis points, triggering broader pressure across global technology shares. Strong results from $ASML also failed to sustain gains, reinforcing the market’s more cautious tone.

Elsewhere, SpaceX slipped below its IPO price, while Chinese AI stocks gained momentum after Apple selected Alibaba’s Qwen model alongside Baidu’s AI technology for new features. Investors are also looking ahead to China’s AI Conference, where further announcements could support sentiment. $AAPL $BABA

US economic data painted a mixed picture. Retail sales missed expectations, suggesting consumers remain under pressure, although lower-than-expected jobless claims pointed to a resilient labour market. Meanwhile, escalating conflict between the US and Iran continues to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, yet markets remain largely focused on AI and technology trends. $ASML

Large U.S. banks delivered strong quarterly results, reinforcing signs of a resilient economy, although investors responded cautiously. $JPM exceeded earnings and revenue expectations, yet shares declined as guidance for future net interest income disappointed. Similar reactions followed strong reports from $BAC and $C, suggesting valuations and forward expectations are outweighing headline earnings beats. Overall, the banking sector continues to point to solid economic conditions despite muted share price performance.

Inflation data provided a positive surprise, with both headline and core CPI coming in below expectations. The softer reading strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve is likely to leave interest rates unchanged in the near term. However, investors remain alert to renewed inflation risks as oil prices recover amid ongoing tensions involving Iran and continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Producer Price Index data due tomorrow could further influence market expectations.

Technology shares faced mixed fortunes. $IBM suffered its steepest intraday decline since 1987 after customers delayed major software deals in favour of spending on servers and memory, weighing on the broader software sector. Meanwhile, semiconductor stocks rebounded strongly after South Korea’s market recovered, with optimism also growing around a potential U.S. listing for $SKHY, supporting renewed strength across the AI-related chip industry.

Semiconductor stocks remain the market’s primary driver, but fresh weakness in South Korea is weighing on sentiment. After ending last week near the top of a key support zone, $SOXL has slipped back following a sharp selloff in South Korean technology shares. The Kospi Index fell 9%, while $SKHY recorded its largest one-day decline since listing in 1996 and Samsung also suffered double-digit losses, reflecting a classic “sell the news” reaction after SK Hynix’s U.S. debut.

The weakness has spread across memory-related stocks, including Micron and other storage companies. However, there was some encouraging news as $TSM reported June revenue up 68% year over year, although sequential growth was more modest, highlighting continued strength in AI chip demand.

Geopolitical tensions also remain elevated after renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. Despite conflicting reports over the status of the Strait of Hormuz, oil has risen only modestly as traders expect diplomatic efforts to limit further escalation.

Markets now face a pivotal stretch with major bank earnings, the latest Consumer Price Index, and testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh all scheduled within hours of each other. Investors will also be assessing whether strong corporate earnings reflect lasting structural growth or a more temporary cyclical upswing.

Key tickers to watch are $SOXL, $SKHY, $TSM, $MU, and $JPM.

Semiconductor stocks remain the market’s key leadership group, but recent price action suggests momentum is weakening. After falling sharply following Samsung’s earnings, leveraged semiconductor ETF $SOXL briefly slipped below an important support level before dip buyers helped it recover into the close. However, early trading today shows renewed weakness, with the ETF once again below support, while higher trading volume points to increasing investor uncertainty.

A notable change in market behaviour is emerging. Unlike recent weeks, when semiconductor stocks rallied despite negative geopolitical headlines, the sector is now reacting negatively to renewed tensions involving Iran. Investors will be watching closely to see whether buyers once again step in or if the weakness signals a broader shift in sentiment.

President Trump has indicated the Iran ceasefire may be over, while the U.S. has revoked Iran’s oil export licence and carried out additional strikes. Iran has responded by targeting U.S. bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, increasing geopolitical risks for global markets.

Attention also turns to the release of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which could provide fresh insight into the policy direction under Chair Kevin Warsh.

Meanwhile, $AMZN’s latest bond offering attracted weaker demand than recent high-grade corporate issues, raising questions about investor appetite for financing the AI investment boom. Key tickers today are $SOXL, $SSNLF, $AMZN, $NVDA, and $MU.