
Crypto & Macro Correspondent
Elena Rossi
Elena spent six years on Goldman's macro derivatives desk before deciding she preferred writing about markets to trading them. Her beat is the messy collision between crypto, central banks, and the policy decisions that quietly reshape both. She believes most market commentary is noise, and the job is to find the signal — fast, then explain it without the jargon.
Joined PokerWizard 2023
More posts by Elena Rossi
S&P 500 Posts First Weekly Loss Since July Amid US Warning to Iran
The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.4% this week, its first weekly loss in a month, as US Preside

A 4X S&P 500 ETN Now Exists. A 10% Market Drop Cuts It Nearly in Half and Investors Are Buying Anyway
A four-times leveraged S&P 500 product now trades on a major exchange, and it can vaporize nearly half your money before the market even finishes a bad week. What kind of investor buys it anyway, and how big has it gotten?

Every Quarter Your 401(k) Quietly Deducts a Fee You Never Approved. These 3 ETFs Charge Almost Nothing
Your 401(k) has been skimming money from you every quarter without a single notification, and the gap between what you pay in fees and what you could be paying amounts to years of compounding lost forever.

2 Financials Stocks to Keep an Eye On and 1 We Find Risky
Financial firms serve as the backbone of the economy, providing essential services from lending and investment management to risk management and payment processing. These companies have benefited from improving market activity and economic fundamentals, so it’s no surprise the industry has posted a 13% gain over the pa

2 Reasons to Like CR and 1 to Stay Skeptical
Crane has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 11.2% to $222.95 per share while the index has gained 13%.

Reddit (RDDT) Is Joining the S&P 500 —What’s Next for the Company?
Reddit Inc. (NYSE:RDDT) saw its share price climb by 12.63 percent on Friday to close at $178.09 apiece following announcements that it would join the S&P 500 beginning next week. In an updated report on Thursday, the S&P Dow Jones Indices said that Reddit Inc. (NYSE:RDDT) is set to become a member of the index […]

CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) Gains as Autonomous AI Agents Go Mainstream
TCW Funds, an investment management firm, published its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the ‘TCW Concentrated Large Cap Growth Fund.’ A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. During the second quarter, AI monetization, a fragile Middle East ceasefire, and a Federal Reserve leadership transition were the sig

Here’s Why Baron Opportunity Fund Sold CoStar Group (CSGP)
Baron Capital, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for the “Baron Opportunity Fund”. A copy of the letter is available to download here. During the second quarter, the Baron Opportunity Fund increased 27.07% (Institutional Shares), outperforming both the Russell 3000 Growth Index (17.

Micron Technology’s (MU) Competitive Edge in a Rapidly Evolving Industry
aron Capital, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for the “Baron Opportunity Fund”. A copy of the letter is available to download here. During the second quarter, the Baron Opportunity Fund increased 27.07% (Institutional Shares), outperforming both the Russell 3000 Growth Index (17.0

3 Reasons We Love Meta (META)
Over the past six months, Meta’s shares (currently trading at $591.67) have posted a disappointing 11.8% loss, well below the S&P 500’s 11% gain. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Apple’s Dip Below $310 is a Great Accumulation Opportunity
Apple just posted its strongest June quarter ever, yet the stock sits 7% lower and traders put even odds on it closing August above $310. Here is why that tension could matter more than the headline numbers.

S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Futures Mixed As CPI Countdown Begins: Why INTC, SLS, SPCX, RKLB, ASTS, RIOT, FRMI Stocks Are In Focus
Retail sentiment on Stocktwits has declined to ‘neutral’ on SPY and ‘extremely bearish’ on QQQ.

Why Nasdaq, S&P 500, Dow Futures Are Trading Mixed Overnight Ahead Of Inflation Data
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would seek compensation from Iran as part of any peace agreement.
Trustmark (TRMK): Buy, Sell, or Hold Post Q2 Earnings?
Trustmark has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 8.4% to $48.43 per share while the index has gained 11.7%.

Nasdaq, Dow Futures Mixed Ahead Of Jobless Claims: Why SPCX, SNDK, SOUN, IONQ, FIG Stocks Are In Focus
Retail traders appear to be dialing back optimism. On Stocktwits, sentiment is now ‘neutral’ on SPY and QQQ.
Here’s How Navient Corporation’s (NAVI) Leadership Is Setting Up a Re-Rating
Gator Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the Q2 2026 investor letter from Gator Capital Management, the firm reported strong absolute performance across its funds, demonstrating notable outperformance re
What Happens When Stock Implied Volatility Outpaces the SPY
Individual stocks are sporting unusually high IV relative to the SPY

US Stock Futures Flat After S&P500, Dow End At Record Highs On Strong Earnings, Easing Geopolitical Concerns — PLTR, AZN, CMG, MRNA In Focus
President Donald Trump discussed efforts to de-escalate US-Iran tensions with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
3 Reasons Investors Watch American Express (AXP)
Since February 2026, American Express has been in a holding pattern, posting a small loss of 3.2% while floating around $338.50. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 8.3% gain during that period.
DiaMedica Therapeutics (DMAC): BioTech with Breakthrough Potential
1 Main Capital, a boutique investment firm, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. 1 Main Capital Partners returned 15.0% in Q2 2026, compared to 15.2% and 21.6% for the S&P 500 (SPX) and Russell 2000 (RTY), respectively. SPX and RTY delivered their best

Here Are Monday’s Top Wall Street Analyst Research Calls: Best Buy, Circle Internet, Corning, Eaton Corporation, eBay, Ingersoll-Rand, NXP Semiconductors, Starbucks, and More
Pre-Market Stock Futures: Futures are trading higher as we get ready to start August and the new trading week. Friday’s solid rally capped off a wild month, which saw big swings in the market, including a massive down day for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which fell over 1,100 points last Wednesday. Despite the big

Nasdaq, S&P 500 Futures Rise, Oil Tumbles On Iran Relief Hopes: Why PLTR, BABA, TSLA, SPCX, USO Are In Focus
Despite the risk-on mood, Stocktwits retail sentiment remained bearish on both the SPY and QQQ ETFs.
My girlfriend is 62. Can she claim her late husband’s full Social Security benefit — or does she have to wait?
“Her husband passed away 10 years ago. They had been married for more than 20 years.”
‘We have always been civil’: My sister refuses to replace me as executor. Can I step down before she dies?
“I haven’t seen my sister since our mother’s funeral more than 20 years ago.”

Insurance ETFs Top Defensive Sector Chart In July As Investors Look To Pivot Slightly From Chips And AI
Insurance ETFs are garnering attention as a defensive play as investors look to hedge against tech and AI.

Snowflake Stock Nearly Doubled On A Product Its Own Forecast Could Not See
The company's guidance method excluded a product it had only just launched, and management said so two months before the run began.
Intel Stock's Biggest Risk Is A Foundry Bill Due Long Before The Customers
Demand is not Intel's problem; what a holder is really underwriting is years of capital spending that must be paid long before the foundry meant to justify it can prove itself.
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures steady after Korean stocks fall, Iran resumes attacks
Investors braced for a Fed decision, a flood of earnings, and a potential reescalation in the war with Iran.
3 Reasons to Sell M and 1 Stock to Buy Instead
Macy’s 24.6% return over the past six months has outpaced the S&P 500 by 18.3%, and its stock price has climbed to $24.94 per share. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.
Dillard's (DDS): Buy, Sell, or Hold Post Q1 Earnings?
Dillard's currently trades at $573.95 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a small loss of 4.9%. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 6.3% gain during that period.
The S&P 500 Trades Industrials for Tech
Technology companies have expanded their influence in the S 500 over the years, displacing industrials.
Update: US Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell as Halt in Middle East Hostilities Holds, Semiconductor Stocks Drop
(Updates with economic data, recent oil price movement, world markets' overview and corporate stock
2 Reasons to Like SKY and 1 to Stay Skeptical
Over the last six months, Champion Homes’s shares have sunk to $81.63, producing a disappointing 5.3% loss - a stark contrast to the S&P 500’s 6.2% gain. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

The Engine Behind ABBV Stock Has Real Parts
The drugmaker's rapid stock gains have led to a premium valuation, forcing investors to question its capacity for future growth.
‘It’s a high price to pay’: My adviser says I don’t need a withdrawal plan for my $2.3 million portfolio. Is he right?
“His proposal involves a proprietary equity hedge strategy to manage $700,000 of my assets.”
Oil prices tumble, stock set to rise amid pause in U.S.-Iran fighting
Crude prices dropped as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN said suspension of attacks is aimed at finding a diplomatic solution.
GE Aerospace (GE) Just Beat and Dropped Again — Is the Third Straight Selloff Any Different This Time?
GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) has acquired an odd habit of beating earnings and then watching the stock sink. The pattern continued with the company’s Q2 2026 report on July 16, with shares falling nearly 5% in early trading the next day, mirroring the reaction to the previous two earnings reports, despite solid figures each

The Discount On GOOGL Stock Looks Overdone
After a sharp pullback, one of the world's most dominant companies is trading at a steep discount to the market, forcing investors to decide if it's a rare opportunity or a clear warning.
AI stocks are echoing a 1990s market split. JPMorgan warns the next few weeks are critical.
The different price action between artificial-intelligence hyperscalers and chip and infrastructure stocks is a throwback to a setup in the late 1990s, argues JPMorgan.

S&P 500, Nasdaq End Lower, Futures Extend Declines As Attention Shifts To Tech Earnings, Geopolitics — TSLA, GOOGL, PSKY, RDDT, AMZN In Focus
Alphabet hiked its 2026 capex spending outlook in its earnings call shortly after market close.
What Makes Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) an Attractive Long-Term Bet?
Dodge & Cox Fund, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for “Dodge and Cox Stock Fund”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Despite volatile oil prices and rising inflation, U.S. equities reached record highs in Q2 2026, driven by a technology-led rally, particularl
Strong Results Boosted Guardant Health (GH) in Q2
Fred Alger Management, an investment management company, released its “Alger Small Cap Focus Fund” second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equities experienced a strong recovery in Q2 2026, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 15.2%, marking its best quarter since 2020. A ceasef
Should You Be Bullish on Forte Biosciences (FBRX)
Fred Alger Management, an investment management company, released its “Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund” second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equities experienced a strong recovery in Q2 2026, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 15.2%, marking its best quarter since 2020. A ceasefir
Silicon Motion Technology (SIMO) Jumped on Beating Expectations
Fred Alger Management, an investment management company, released its “Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund” second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equities experienced a strong recovery in Q2 2026, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 15.2%, marking its best quarter since

Cash In Your SPYV Gain, Or Let It Ride?
The fund is trading near its high, but acting on that feeling might be the costliest move you can make.
Chipmakers head for big profit gains, but will it be enough?
Chipmakers are in focus on Wall Street, with their shares turning mercurial this month and investors banking on a few dozen newly valuable companies to deliver nearly half of S&P 500 profit growth for the second quarter. The PHLX Semiconductor index has surged this year, reflecting massive gains at firms such as Micro
2 Services Stocks Worth Your Attention and 1 Facing Challenges
Business services providers use their specialized expertise to help enterprises streamline operations and cut costs. Still, investors are uneasy as firms face challenges from AI-driven disruptors and tightening corporate budgets. These doubts have certainly contributed to services stocks’ recent underperformance - over

Nasdaq, Dow, S&P 500 Futures Edge Higher Ahead Of Key Earnings Week Even As Middle East Tensions Continue: DJT, NVDA, SLS, PANW Stocks In Focus
Alphabet, Tesla, and Intel are among the key companies reporting their second-quarter results later this week.

Active Funds Can’t Beat the S&P 500? This One Didn’t Get the Memo
Most active large-cap funds quietly bleed investors through bloated fees and closet indexing, but T. Rowe Price built TCAF to break that pattern entirely. Whether it actually does depends on a tradeoff most investors never stop to consider.

A Fat 13% Yield From the Russell 2000? Meet the Covered-Call Fund Betting Against Big Tech
A covered-call ETF built on small caps instead of Big Tech is dangling a 13% yield, but the tradeoffs hiding behind that number could make or break your portfolio depending on how you hold it.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM): A Beneficiary of AI Boom
Wedgewood Partners, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Wedgewood Composite delivered a net return of 9.4% in the second quarter compared to 15.2% for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, 16.7% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and
22% Growth in iPhone Powers Apple’s (AAPL) Rally
Wedgewood Partners, an investment management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Wedgewood Composite delivered a net return of 9.4% in the second quarter compared to 15.2% for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, 16.7% for the Russell 1000 Growth Index, and

Ordinals advocate Leonidas proposes new Bitcoin client: ‘$DOG Mode’
“Over time the economic incentives will drive $DOG Mode’s adoption and force Bitcoin Core to stop gatekeeping and allow these completely valid transactions,” said Leonidas.
Inflation Pressure Strengthens FirstCash (FCFS)
Heartland Advisors, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the “Heartland Value Plus Fund”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Small-cap stocks rose in the second quarter, with the Russell 2000® Index increasing 21.49%, outpacing the 15.20% gain for the S&P 500
VGSH vs. SMB: A Comparison of Two Top Short-Term Bond ETFs
VGSH targets U.S. Treasuries with lower costs, while SMB offers municipal bonds for tax-exempt income. Which suits your portfolio?
Lockheed Martin (LMT): Buy, Sell, or Hold Post Q1 Earnings?
Over the past six months, Lockheed Martin’s stock price fell to $522.25. Shareholders have lost 8.8% of their capital, which is disappointing considering the S&P 500 has climbed by 9.4%. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
Scorpio Tankers (STNG): Buy, Sell, or Hold Post Q1 Earnings?
Scorpio Tankers currently trades at $76.44 and has been a dream stock for shareholders. It’s returned 323% since July 2021, blowing past the S&P 500’s 73.1% gain. The company has also beaten the index over the past six months as its stock price is up 28.9% thanks to its solid quarterly results.
3 Reasons NIC Has Explosive Upside Potential
Since July 2021, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 73.1%. But one standout stock has nearly doubled the market - over the past five years, Nicolet Bankshares has surged 136% to $164.67 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 26.4% in the last six months thanks to its solid quarterly results

Nasdaq, S&P 500 Futures Drift Ahead Of CPI, Bank Earnings, And Warsh’s Congressional Debut: Why USO, JPM, BAC, NVDA, CRCL, SLS, SRXH Are In Focus
Stocktwits data showed retail sentiment improved to ‘bullish’ on QQQ, and declined to ‘neutral’ on SPY.
Albertsons Companies (ACI) Slid Amid Multiple Headwinds
Longleaf Partners, managed by Southeastern Asset Management, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for its “Partners Fund”. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The letter states that the portfolio holdings are attractive now based on both P/V and P/FCF metrics. However, the Fund returned 3.87% in th