Track the evolution of major financial and economic events
John Deere settled a lawsuit with the FTC and five U.S. states regarding unlawful restrictions on equipment repairs. The settlement mandates that the company provide farmers and independent technicians with expanded access to diagnostic software and repair tools for a period of ten years. This agreement aims to lower repair costs and eliminate forced reliance on authorized dealerships while upholding equipment safety standards.
Bitcoin long-term holders experienced a $280M capitulation spike in early July as prices remained in a deep value zone below key cost bases for five months. Despite a $1B USDT injection, spot demand remained weak while ETF flows stayed negative and the market entered a high-leverage phase. By mid-July, a dormant whale moved 2,931 BTC worth approximately $188M after seven years of inactivity.
Halliburton secured a series of major integrated contracts in July, starting with the development of Iraq's Bin Umar and Sindbad oil fields, followed by drilling and completion awards for TotalEnergies' GranMorgu project in Suriname. The company also landed lump sum turnkey contracts from Aramco for approximately 285 onshore wells, featuring a three-year base term with options for two additional years. The scope includes oil re-entry, drilling, and workover operations designed to enhance Aramco's operational consistency.
AEP Texas secured a $3.26 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund approximately 100 transmission projects. The loan agreement was finalized in early July to support major grid infrastructure upgrades. These projects are aimed at enhancing power transmission capabilities across Texas through the allocated federal funding.
Palantir reported a robust 85% revenue growth for Q1 2026, driven by a 133% surge in US commercial revenue and a net retention rate of 150%. Management raised its full-year revenue guidance to approximately $7.66 billion, supported by a significant expansion in adjusted EBIT margins to 60%. The company strengthened its AI ecosystem through strategic partnerships with Nvidia and Google. Furthermore, remaining performance obligations (RPO) jumped 134% to $4.5 billion, indicating strong future revenue visibility and operational efficiency as expenses grew at a much slower pace than revenue.
Global bond yields reached one-month highs as Middle East peace prospects faded and U.S.-Iran tensions strained markets. While the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield held steady at 4.473% mid-month, investors remained focused on upcoming core inflation data. By July 14, yields rose further due to increasing expectations of additional interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
Goldman Sachs warned that the era of easy money is ending, presenting a reality check for the small-cap rally. The continued performance of the Russell 2000 index remains heavily dependent on Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and policy outlooks. Additionally, the firm identified its top three US lodging and hospitality stocks ahead of their upcoming quarterly earnings reports.
HCA Healthcare faced several rating downgrades and financial outlook revisions throughout July. Barclays lowered its rating while Wells Fargo reduced its price target due to uncertainties surrounding patient volumes. The company also cut its 2026 EPS guidance to a range of $28.70–$30.50, citing persistent policy pressures, an increase in uninsured patients, and shifts in the payer mix.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered Jack Henry & Associates' price target to $200 from $205 following the announced retirement of Board Chair David Foss. Other significant adjustments included BTIG Research raising Fortinet's target and Goldman Sachs lowering the target for Roper Technologies. Additionally, JPMorgan adjusted the price target for C.H. Robinson Worldwide upward to $198 during the same period.
Renewed Middle East tensions initially pushed oil prices higher, pressuring Bitcoin's $62,000 price level as inflation outlooks became complicated. By July 11, oil prices retreated below $76, significantly lower than earlier peaks this year. This decline in oil prices has eased inflationary pressures, subsequently increasing the likelihood of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
United Airlines is scheduled to report its Q2 2026 financial results on July 15, with analysts forecasting revenue of $17.58 billion and earnings per share of $1.82. The release follows recent results from rival Delta Air Lines, which shifted market expectations for the aviation sector. Investors are closely monitoring the report due to these significant changes in the industry landscape.
Trilogy Metals announced its financial results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2026, reporting financial losses for the period. The company provided an update on federal permitting for the Arctic Project in Alaska, which has achieved a new federal status. Additionally, the Ontario Securities Commission revoked a long-standing cease trade order on Tenet Fintech's securities that had been in place since May 2025.
Apple announced a $30 billion commitment with Broadcom to design and produce cutting-edge wireless components, including a $1.5 billion expansion of the Fort Collins, Colorado facility. the deal aims to secure over 15 billion U.S.-made chips to support custom silicon and AI-enabled devices. This extended partnership will specifically focus on advanced wireless technologies to enhance future Apple hardware capabilities.
Alkane Resources produced 42,491 gold-equivalent ounces in the June quarter, reaching the upper half of its FY2026 production guidance and increasing its cash position to $432 million. Meanwhile, Regis Resources announced it would not match a $3.9 billion rival bid from Genesis Minerals for Vault Minerals. Regis Resources subsequently abandoned its bid, clearing the way for Genesis Minerals' $3.9 billion offer to proceed.
On July 8, Blue Owl Capital acquired a U.K. hospital portfolio valued at £1.3 billion. The acquisition was completed on the same day. On July 9, Blackstone and TPG are seeking over $4 billion for the sale of Hologic's surgical unit. The sale aims to pay down debt and repay investors following one of last year's largest leveraged buyouts.
On July 8, at least four oil and LNG tankers made U-turns from the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian attacks on three commercial ships. These attacks prompted operators to pause transit attempts. On July 9, Stolt-Nielsen reported mixed financial results for the second quarter of 2026, with the company's operations impacted by ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dollar-selling activity related to SK Hynix's U.S. share sale pushed the South Korean won to a more than one-month high against the dollar. The company's American Depositary Receipt (ADR) sale was oversubscribed by more than seven times prior to pricing. SK Hynix is now set to repatriate over $26 billion from the share sale proceeds over the coming month.
Oil and natural gas prices maintained key technical support levels throughout July, driven by resilient demand and elevated refinery activity. WTI and Brent crude consistently defended higher support levels, reaching $79.57 and $84.76 respectively by July 14. Meanwhile, natural gas sustained its upward channel structure despite price fluctuations, as U.S. crude inventories remained near minimum operating levels due to firm demand for refined products.
Japanese firms are increasingly adding Bitcoin and XRP to their balance sheets to hedge against the yen's 40-year lows, according to SBI VC Trade. Simultaneously, SoftBank Group entered a strategic partnership with AI startup Sierra to enhance customer support systems. On the regulatory front, Japan's parliament passed an amendment officially reclassifying cryptocurrency assets as 'financial assets' under national law.
Bernstein raised its price target for Ryanair due to positive traffic momentum as the European airline earnings season approached. Meanwhile, Air Canada appointed Anko Van der Werff as its next president and CEO, effective late January 2027. The earnings season commenced on July 10 with positive expectations for the sector's financial performance.
The U.S. Department of Commerce approved the broad rollout of OpenAI's advanced GPT-5.6 model on July 8. Subsequently, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Work, an AI agent capable of executing tasks across multiple applications and files. Following the departure of product and business chief Fidji Simo due to chronic illness, OpenAI President Greg Brockman has taken over oversight of the company's products.
On July 7, the U.S. launched strikes against Iran following oil tanker attacks, while the Trump administration revoked licenses for Iranian oil sales, driving crude prices higher. By July 11, the U.S. Treasury imposed fresh sanctions, leading Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to accuse Washington of violating a recent agreement. These events collectively increased the market risk premium amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
New Hampshire's Executive Council held a public hearing regarding a proposal to issue $100 million in bonds to finance Bitcoin purchases. Although the Council ultimately voted 3-2 to reject the bond proposal, the state achieved a historic milestone. New Hampshire became the first state to approve Bitcoin treasury investments despite the rejection of the specific bond initiative.
On July 7, Jack Mallers' Strike launched bitcoin loans designed to protect borrowers from liquidations caused by price volatility. Partial collateral liquidation only occurs if a borrower misses interest or maturity payments and fails to pay within a grace period. On July 8, Mallers launched a bitcoin-backed loan product that eliminates price-triggered liquidations.
