VisionBoard Finance

Analysis & notes

The ledger.

Market notes and macro explainers—what changed, why it matters, and what the evidence can actually tell us.

12 posts on this page

Stock Market Today (August 10, 2026): Oil Jumps 5% as Tech Stocks Slip

Stocks edged down from record territory as fading hopes for a Strait of Hormuz agreement sent oil up 5%, lifted Treasury yields and weighed on chipmakers.

Stock Market Today (August 6, 2026): Dow Slides as Oil and Yields Jump

The Dow fell 464 points and the S&P 500 eased as oil and Treasury yields rose. Mixed earnings punished several high-flying technology names, while muted volatility showed no broad rush for the exits.

Stock Market Today (August 5, 2026): Dow Hits Record as Nasdaq Slips on AI Spending Worries

The Dow closed at a record, but the Nasdaq fell as investors demanded a clearer payoff from heavy AI spending at SpaceX and AMD. Iran diplomacy, softer oil and mixed labor signals kept the broader market near its highs.

Stock Market Today (August 3, 2026): Dow Hits Record as Oil Falls

The Dow closed at a record and the S&P 500 jumped 1.5% as a sharp oil retreat eased inflation fears, manufacturing strengthened, and Treasury yields fell.

Stock Market Today (July 31, 2026): Amazon Lifts S&P 500 as Oil and Yields Rise

Amazon's 15.3% surge powered the S&P 500 and Nasdaq higher, but rising oil, firm wage costs and a 4.75% 10-year Treasury yield kept the inflation debate alive.

Next Fed Meeting 2026

The next Federal Reserve meeting ends September 16, 2026. July's hold was not dovish: three officials wanted a rate hike, inflation remains high and the next decision will include new economic projections.

Is the US in a Recession 2026?

The United States does not appear to be in a broad recession based on the latest GDP, employment, income, spending and production data. But slower hiring, sticky inflation and household strain make the economy more fragile than the headline suggests.

Stock Market Today (July 29, 2026): Dow Drops as Oil Surges Before Fed Decision

The Dow fell roughly 700 points and the S&P 500 slid as a nearly 7% surge in WTI oil revived inflation pressure hours before a highly uncertain Federal Reserve decision.

Stock Market Today (July 27, 2026): S&P 500 Flat as Oil Plunges and Nvidia Falls

The S&P 500 barely moved as a sharp drop in oil eased inflation pressure, but Nvidia's 5% decline kept the Nasdaq under pressure before the Fed and Big Tech earnings.

Stock Market Today (May 22, 2026): S&P 500 Edges Higher as Yields Ease, VIX Cools, and Defensive Signals Linger

The market tone is constructive but not carefree: the S&P 500 is higher, volatility is easing, yields are drifting lower, and the dollar is steady — while macro signals still argue for discipline.

Stock Market Today (May 20, 2026): S&P 500 Slips as Oil Falls, Bonds Stay in Focus, and Iran Risk Eases

Markets looked calmer on the surface, but the message underneath was mixed: oil fell sharply, Bitcoin edged higher, the VIX eased, and the S&P 500 stayed under pressure as investors weighed bond yields, inflation risk, and Iran headlines.

Stock Market Today (May 19, 2026): S&P 500 Flat as Yields Rise, Oil Drops, and VIX Stays Calm

The S&P 500 was little changed, but the day had a clear message underneath the surface: yields firmed, the dollar rose, oil sold off, and volatility stayed contained.