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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:

The stock market is showing mixed moves today as Wall Street ends with modest gains, tech facing pressure from Middle East tensions and profit-taking after historic runs, while chip stocks rebounded. 📊⚖️ Dow Jones gained 0.04%, S&P 500 fell 0.05%, and Nasdaq Composite slid 0.29%, closing at 52,510.55, 7,540.17, and 26,130.27 respectively. Blackberry soared 20%, Bayer +10%, Rivian +15% among gainers; SanDisk tumbled 25%, Bloom Energy -10%, IREN -12% among losers. AI rally under pressure as investors reassess valuations amid Middle East tensions. Gold at $3,146.60 (+1.04%), oil at $69-70/barrel. Treasury yield at 4.44%. Fed expected to hold in July, hike in September on 4% inflation. Investors await earnings for rally strength amid tech bubble concerns. 🛢️💰

Major Indices Performance 📊

  • S&P 500 fell 0.05%, closing at 7,540.17 (-3.47 pts), tech pressure outweighed gains.

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.04%, closing at 52,510.55 (+23.14 pts), cyclical support steady.

  • Nasdaq Composite slid 0.29%, closing at 26,130.27 (-76.62 pts), tech under pressure.

Market Movers 🚀

  • Blackberry soared 20%, Bayer +10%, Rivian +15% among gainers on biotech/AI demand.

  • SanDisk tumbled 25%, Bloom Energy -10%, IREN -12% among data center/energy losers.

  • Chip stocks rebounded after recent weakness, but AI rally under pressure from tensions.

  • Gold at $3,146.60 (+1.04%), oil at $69-70 on Middle East tensions.

  • Tech megacaps (Microsoft, Apple) pressured by AI bubble concerns.

Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️

  • AI rally under pressure as investors evaluate rising Middle East tensions, take profits after historic run.

  • Chip stocks rebounded after weakness, but AI bubble concerns stoked by tech volatility.

  • Fed expected to hold in July, hike in September after 4% inflation; job data fuels rate hike fears.

  • Earnings season: Investors seek early signs of rally strength amid tech bubble concerns.

  • Tech bubble fears persist, stoked by soaring valuations, trillion-dollar swings, and sharp selloffs.

Investor Sentiment 👀

Overall, mood is cautious-tentative as tech pressure and AI bubble concerns outweigh cyclical gains. Volatility from tech swings; investors await earnings for rally strength amid tech bubble concerns. 🐂⚖️

I'm 63 With $1.5M. Can I Spend $10K a Month?

You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.

Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?

Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.

The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.

That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.

Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.

Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.

If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.

TRADE OF THE DAY:
LLY

Name: Eli Lilly and Company

Symbol: LLY

Current Price: Approximately $1,190.00

Trade

Sell to Open: 1 LLY Jul 31, 2026 1085/1080 Put Vertical

Total Credit Received: $42.00

Credit per Contract: $42.00 (for one contract covering 100 shares)

Direction: Bullish (expects LLY to stay above the break-even level)

Probability of Profit (PoP): 86.3% (as provided)

Potential ROI:

Max Risk (Loss): $458.00

ROI: ($42.00 ÷ $458.00) × 100 ≈ 9.2%

Trade Explained in Simple English:

You're entering a bull put credit spread by selling the 1085 put and buying the 1080 put, both expiring July 31, 2026. You receive $42.00 upfront, and the trade is profitable if LLY closes above the $1,084.58 break-even price at expiration. If both options expire worthless, you keep the entire credit. Your maximum loss is capped at $458.00 if LLY finishes at or below $1,080.00, making this a limited-risk, bullish strategy.

Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers

  1. SK Hynix raised $26.5 billion in its U.S. listing, marking the largest foreign share offering in U.S. history as demand for AI chip investments continues to surge. Read More

  2. Delta Air Lines topped quarterly earnings expectations despite elevated fuel costs tied to recent geopolitical tensions and projected solid third-quarter results. Read More

  3. WD-40 lifted its full-year guidance after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, fueled by robust sales growth across its product portfolio. Read More

  4. Meta is facing potential EU penalties after regulators said Facebook and Instagram may violate the Digital Services Act by promoting addictive content.
    Read More

  5. Wall Street is preparing for the start of second-quarter earnings season, with major banks including JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley set to report results next week. Read More

Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.

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