Markets Global ultra-wealthy population hits record 556,850 in 2025 Altrata’s World Ultra Wealth Report 2026 says 556,850 people are now worth $30M+, up 14.4% in 2025 — the fastest expansion since 2017, powered by the AI trade and broad equity gains.
Markets Households Need ~$117K Income to Afford the Average U.S. Home U.S. households need roughly $117,000 in annual income to afford the average home, well above the $88,000 median household income. Homebuilders and mortgage names are the tickers to watch.
Markets BofA sees summer pullback before a possible year-end rally Bank of America expects a summer pullback in U.S. stocks after the first-half rally, with a possible year-end rebound. Breadth, valuations, and midterm seasonality all point to a bumpier Q3.
Tech US Data Center Spending Surpasses $50 Billion, Outpacing Infrastructure Investments US data center spending has exceeded $50 billion, surpassing combined investments in airports, ports, and mass transit, driven by the escalating demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Markets Morgan Stanley: Housing Affordability Unlikely to Return to Pre-2022 Levels Morgan Stanley reports that U.S. housing affordability is unlikely to return to pre-2022 levels, citing higher mortgage rates and tight supply.
Geopolitics 2 US service members killed, 1 missing in Iran attack on Jordan base Two US service members were killed and one is missing after an Iranian missile and drone attack on forces in Jordan, CENTCOM said, as the US-Iran conflict widens.
Real Estate Starter Homes Priced at $200K Unaffordable for 62% of Non-Homeowners A LendingTree study reveals that 62% of non-homeowner households cannot afford a typical $200,000 starter home, highlighting significant affordability challenges in the housing market.
Politics AIPAC cuts off donations to House Democrats who voted to end Israel aid AIPAC has removed donation buttons for House Democrats who voted for Rep. Thomas Massie's amendment to cut $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel. Over 100 Democrats backed the measure, which failed 104-314-10.
Politics Miller: White House to Push Banks to De-Bank Illegal Immigrants Stephen Miller says the Trump administration will push banks to de-bank illegal immigrants, calling it a major driver of self-deportation. Big-bank and remittance names are in focus.
Markets Trump Threatens New Canada Tariffs Over Wildfire Smoke Trump threatened new tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke drifting into U.S. cities, calling it willful negligence. The threat lands as USMCA renewal stalls, raising headline risk for lumber, autos, and rails.
Politics Beshear Says He Got Calls Suggesting McConnell Had ‘Passed’ Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says he received two calls from federal agencies suggesting Sen. Mitch McConnell had died during his month-long hospitalization, before McConnell released a proof-of-life photo on July 12.
Markets US Executives Selling Shares at Second-Fastest Pace in Over 20 Years US corporate insiders are selling shares at the second-fastest rate in over two decades, signaling potential market shifts.
Geopolitics Vance accuses Israel of manipulating US opinion to prolong Iran war VP JD Vance told Joe Rogan that elements of Israel's government are running a funded campaign to sway US opinion and keep the Iran war going indefinitely, as the US-Iran ceasefire unravels.
Politics DHS to deny green cards to immigrants using SNAP or Medicaid DHS finalized a rule allowing immigration officers to deny green cards to applicants who use SNAP, Medicaid, or housing aid. It takes effect Sept. 18, 2026, and could push over a million people to disenroll from benefits.
Geopolitics Iran’s IRGC warns U.S. forces nearing ‘zero hour’ in Gulf standoff Iran’s IRGC Navy says U.S. forces are nearing ‘zero hour’ for a potential operation against CENTCOM naval units, ending its warning with a single word: ‘Wait.’ Oil, defense, and shipping names in focus.
Macro Millions of Americans Want Jobs but Can't Find Them, Surpassing 2008 Crisis Levels Over 6.2 million Americans are seeking employment without success, surpassing figures from the 2008 financial crisis, indicating potential economic vulnerabilities.
Geopolitics Only 11% of Europeans view the US as an ally, poll finds A new ECFR poll shows only 11% of Europeans now view the US as an ally, down from 22% in late 2024. The shift points to higher EU defense spending and a potential Buy European tilt in procurement.
Politics Mamdani Rejects $47K Pay Raise as NYC Council Votes Itself 18% Bump NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani will forgo an 18% pay raise to $305,800 as the City Council votes itself a first salary bump in a decade, expected to cost the city $17M next year.
Politics House Rejects Amendment To Cut $3.3B In Israel Aid; Democrats Split The US House rejected a Massie amendment to cut $3.3B in aid to Israel by a 104-314 vote, but nearly half of Democrats supported it, exposing a widening rift with implications for defense budgets.
Geopolitics Trump Says Iran Called, Wants to Meet as U.S. Strikes Continue Trump says Iran called asking to meet, even as the U.S. launches a second round of strikes and reinstates a Hormuz blockade. Oil sits near $80.
Markets Buffett: ‘Tough to find value’ when everyone is gambling Warren Buffett told CNBC it is tough to find values when everybody prefers gambling, as Berkshire Hathaway sits on a record $397B cash pile and flags speculation in AI names, 0DTE options and leveraged ETFs.
Macro US Tariff Refunds Exceed Collections, Widening June Budget Deficit In June, the US government refunded $49.2 billion in tariffs, surpassing the $23.6 billion collected, contributing to a $120 billion budget deficit.
AI AI blamed for 87,714 US job cuts in 2026, per Challenger Challenger, Gray & Christmas says AI has been cited in 87,714 US job cuts through May 2026, already topping all of 2025. Tech leads the wave, with 123,653 sector cuts YTD.
Politics Trump: ‘No Limits’ to His Power After Iran War, per Axios Trump told Axios there are ‘no limits’ to his power after the Iran war, while admitting oil-shock fears drove him to accept an MOU instead of unconditional surrender. Here is the market angle.
Macro US Home Prices Rise for 36 Straight Months, Hit Record High US home prices have risen for 36 straight months, with June’s median existing-home price hitting a record $440,660 as sales stall and affordability worsens.
