Research & Analysis

Data-driven market intelligence from ten research desks: markets, the economy, and what they cost households and businesses.

Crypto

Bitcoin Recovers to $64K as Altcoins Diverge

Bitcoin climbed back above $64,000 this week, but the broader crypto market told a more complicated story as major altcoins moved in opposite directions.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 10, 20261 MIN READ

Close-up of gold bars in foreground with an oil tanker sailing past an oil refinery in the background at dusk.

Commodities

Oil Surges on Iran Tensions as Gold Holds Near Highs

Oil prices surged 5 to 6 percent as the US-Iran ceasefire collapsed, sending WTI to $72.08 and Brent to $76.33. Gold slipped modestly while silver fell more sharply as markets rotated into energy assets.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 10, 20263 MIN READ

A composite image showing a stack of semiconductor wafers in a data center on the left, and an oil pumpjack with a refinery in the background at sunset on the right.

Equities

Markets End Week Mixed as Tech Leads, Energy Lags

SPY edges higher as semiconductor strength and social media gains offset energy sector weakness

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 10, 20266 MIN READ

An illustration of a gold bar floating on dark water as a large, stylized wave crests behind and above it.

Commodities

Oil Surges to $74 as Iran War Restarts, Gold Falls

WTI crude surged to $74.82/bbl as Trump declared the Iran ceasefire over. Gold fell 0.49% to $4,055/oz as Fed rate-hike odds hit 59%. Here's what's driving the split.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 9, 20264 MIN READ

Collage of an oil refinery, the Federal Reserve building, an oil tanker, a large pipeline, and groceries, under a smoky sky.

Macro

Iran Conflict & Hot Inflation Put Fed in a Corner

Iran re-escalation sends oil surging and traps the Fed between hot 4.2% inflation and a weakening labor market. What the July 8 strikes mean for rates.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 9, 20265 MIN READ

An illustration of a seesaw with a blob of oil on one side, dripping onto a refinery, and a glowing computer chip on the other.

Equities

Dow Drops While Nasdaq Holds as Iran Tensions Escalate

The Dow fell 1.07% and small caps dropped as Iran escalation pushed oil to $78/bbl, while Nasdaq held and NVDA surged 3.65% on July 9, 2026.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 9, 20265 MIN READ

Crypto

Bitcoin Holds $62K as Fear Peaks and CLARITY Act Stalls

Bitcoin holds $62,593 on July 9 as the Fear and Greed Index sits at Extreme Fear (22) and the CLARITY Act fails to advance in the Senate.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 9, 20261 MIN READ

Bronze bull statue and black bear statue facing each other in a city street, with financial buildings and people blurred in the background.

Equities

Tech Under Pressure: Reading Today's S&P 500 Rotation

Tech stocks fell sharply on July 8 as money rotated into defensive sectors. Here's what the S&P 500's sector rotation means for everyday investors.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 8, 20268 MIN READ

Close-up of a gold Bitcoin coin standing upright with several other Bitcoin coins scattered nearby, against a backdrop of a city harbor with a financial building, cargo ships, and an oil refinery visible in the distance under a dusky sky.

Crypto

Bitcoin Holds $62K: What the Yen Crisis and Oil Shock Mean for Crypto

Bitcoin holds near $62,581 as US-Iran military escalation pushes oil above $72 and Japan's yen collapses to 162 JPY/USD. Here's what these macro forces mean for crypto.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 8, 20261 MIN READ

Federal Reserve building with neoclassical architecture and large columns, illuminated by late afternoon sun. Two blurred figures and cars in the foreground.

Macro

What the Fed's Pause Means for Your Portfolio Right Now

The Federal Reserve has pressed pause on rate cuts for the rest of 2026. Here's what that actually means for your savings, investments, and overall portfolio, explained in plain terms.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 8, 20261 MIN READ

Close-up of stacked gold bullion bars on a dark surface, with a blurry background showing a world map and computer screens.

Commodities

Gold Gains on Hormuz Tensions: What Investors Need to Know

Gold trades at $4,135 as the Strait of Hormuz faces its worst crisis since the June ceasefire collapsed. Here's why gold is down on a day of escalating conflict, and what it means for investors.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 8, 20264 MIN READ

Illustration of various light-blue and gold computer chips connected by a gold wire to a large, dark, glowing power source.

Equities

SPY Within 1% of Record as AI Stocks Lead Nasdaq Back

SPY closed at $751.28 on July 7, within 1% of its all-time high, as QQQ surged 1.43% on a Broadcom-Apple AI chip deal and SpaceX's Nasdaq 100 entry.

Marcus Webb smart_toyAI Analyst

Jul 7, 20262 MIN READ