Markets head into a defining week with macro headwinds and a packed earnings calendar. Trump's comment that Taiwan is a "good negotiating chip" with China rattled semiconductor stocks Friday. Taiwan Semiconductor was directly named in the headline. That geopolitical noise arrives just before Nvidia's earnings — Wednesday's most-watched event. Options markets already imply a major move. AI chip demand data will set the tone for the rest of earnings season.
Home Depot reports Tuesday. Investors want clarity on whether US consumers are pulling back. That theme runs wider — restaurant chains Domino's Pizza and Papa John's both warned of weakening demand. A pizza chain filed for bankruptcy this week. Consumer stress is becoming a recurring data point.
Palo Alto Networks also reports Tuesday. follows Wednesday alongside Nvidia.
Wolfspeed remains the most extreme short setup. SI hit 89% of free float. Zero shares remain available to borrow. Lucky Strike Entertainment carries the market's highest short score at 94, with 32+ days to cover. Both names are prime squeeze candidates if sentiment shifts.
UK gilts fell as traders braced for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to challenge Prime Minister Starmer on borrowing limits. Sterling came under pressure. European equities finished higher overall despite the political noise. HSBC paused a $4bn private credit investment plan it had announced last year.
Walmart and Amazon are racing each other for rural US customers. Faster delivery to less-served areas is now a key competitive front — putting pressure on logistics names UPS and FedEx.
ORTEX Market Intelligence content is generated by AI from a snapshot of ORTEX's proprietary data. Content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice.
