Overview

• U.S. producer prices jumped 0.9% in July, the strongest monthly advance since mid-2022, driving CME FedWatch odds for a September 25-basis-point cut down to 92.6% and eliminating bets on a 50-basis-point move.
• Berkshire Hathaway’s disclosure of over 5 million UnitedHealth shares lifted UNH stock more than 10%, briefly pushing the Dow Jones to a new intraday high of 45,203.52.
• Westpac’s quarterly profit rose 14% to AUD 1.9 billion and Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, fueling five consecutive record closes for the S&P/ASX 200 above the 8,900-point level.
• Applied Materials trimmed its guidance citing weak China demand and tariff uncertainty, weighing on global semiconductor and equipment stocks.
• Investors are monitoring the Alaska meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin for signs of a Ukraine ceasefire that could reshape risk appetite and energy markets.