Alphabet Earnings, Oil Spike, AMD Outlook Drive Markets

US: Alphabet Beats, AI Spending Dominates

Alphabet delivered blockbuster Q2 earnings today. But the AI investment bill is stealing headlines. The company's aggressive spending on AI infrastructure is drawing investor scrutiny even as the numbers beat expectations. The Trump administration weighed in separately, warning that the EU's $1 billion DMA fine on Google threatens trade stability.

AMD CEO Lisa Su made a sweeping market forecast at today's investor event. She sees the AI chip accelerator market hitting $1.4 trillion by 2030. Total chip market opportunity, she said, reaches $2 trillion. The comments lifted chip sector sentiment.

Macro: Oil Above $90, Rates React

Oil climbed above $90 a barrel today. Reports of an explosion near Larak Island in southern Iran added to geopolitical tension. The US House also passed a war powers resolution directing Trump to withdraw military forces from Iran. Treasury yields moved higher as rate-cut expectations faded.

Earnings Watch: Intel Up Next

Intel reports after today's close. It is one of the season's most closely watched results. Microsoft remains the week's biggest event, due Wednesday July 29. Short sellers have already fled — MSFT short interest collapsed 94% this week to just 0.06% of free float.

RBC initiated Tesla at Buy with a $500 target today. Yet bearish options flow continues to pile into the stock, which is down 17% year-to-date.

Europe: Lundberg Buys Sweden

Swedish billionaire Lars Lundberg deployed nearly $92 million into Swedish equities this week. He added to positions in Sandvik and Svenska Handelsbanken. Meanwhile, Fast Retailing's CEO Tadashi Yanai sold $208 million of Fast Retailing shares — a sharp contrast in insider sentiment across markets.