Market news, decoded for premium sellers
Every morning: AI, its infrastructure and Eddie’s watchlist. Clear reporting, useful visuals and investment context. Free in your inbox.
Cheaper oil lifts futures, but Japan adds another rate hurdle
Falling oil and stronger equity futures extend the relief rally even as Japan tightens monetary policy. For premium sellers, calmer broad-market volatility must still be weighed against elevated bond yields and company-specific risks.
Oil and a 5% Treasury yield squeeze the room for stocks
Oil’s renewed climb and a higher discount rate are pressing on equities before the Fed decision. For premium sellers, richer volatility now comes with a tougher test of downside exposure and collateral returns.
Market close: stocks slip as Meta rallies and yields climb
The S&P 500 fell 0.48% as the VIX rose to 16.46 and the 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.83%. $META gained 6.55%, contrasting with a modest decline in $AAPL.
Tech leads as $VIX cools and futures stay mixed
$QQQ rose 1.19% Wednesday and $VIX fell 5.79% to 14.32; at 4:55 a.m. ET Nasdaq futures were +0.46% while Dow futures were -0.04%. Breadth improved, but small caps lagged and the 10-year still yields 4.77%.
September 3 market wrap: stocks rally as VIX retreats
U.S. indexes gained more than 1% on September 3 as the VIX fell to 14.32 and Treasury yields eased. HOOD jumped 16.57%, while BE rose 8.41%.
Futures edge higher as $IWM leads and $VIX cools
$IWM rose 1.18% Wednesday as $VIX fell 6.98% to 15.20; major U.S. futures added 0.10%–0.19% at 4:55 a.m. ET. Breadth improved, but high yields and index hedging temper the rebound.
September 3 Morning Read: $ORCL sets its earnings date
U.S. futures were slightly higher around 4:07 a.m. ET as WTI held at $90.44 and the VIX read 15.29. $ORCL confirmed a September 10 after-close earnings event.
September 2 market wrap: stocks rebound as VIX retreats
U.S. indexes rebounded on September 2 as the VIX fell to 15.20 and Treasury yields held steady. ASTS jumped 11.83%, while CRDO fell 20.04%.
Futures slip as $VIX and yields reinforce caution
Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.58% at 4:54 a.m. ET after $QQQ lost 1.27% Tuesday. A 9.52% $VIX jump, softer breadth and higher yields align defensively without signaling capitulation.
September 1 market wrap: Nasdaq-100 slides as VIX jumps
The Nasdaq-100 fell 1.29%, the S&P 500 lost 0.71% and the VIX rose to 16.34. Credo dropped 8.65% while Apple gained 2.61%.
Nasdaq-100 futures fall 0.87% as breadth stays soft
Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.87% at 4:56 a.m. ET after $SPY lost 0.30% Monday. A higher $VIX, softer breadth and resilient $HYG leave sentiment cautious but not uniformly defensive.
September 1 Morning Read: Futures dip as oil reaches $86.96
U.S. futures slipped as WTI reached $86.96 and the 10-year Treasury held near 4.75%. July labour and construction data arrive at 10:00 a.m. ET, with $CRDO earnings after the close.
August 31 market wrap: S&P 500 falls as Nasdaq-100 edges up
The S&P 500 fell 0.33% while the Nasdaq-100 edged up 0.08% and the VIX rose to 14.92. Tesla gained 5.51% as Amazon lost 2.50%.
Index futures barely move: S&P 500 −0.12%
S&P 500 futures slipped 0.12% at 4:59 a.m. ET, while Nasdaq-100 futures were nearly flat. Friday’s weak small caps, firm short yields and selective hedging leave conviction divided.
CFTC split: asset managers +953,228, funds −315,204
Asset managers were net long 953,228 E-mini S&P 500 contracts while leveraged funds were net short 315,204. Friday’s small-cap weakness and calm $VIX make Monday’s confirmation decisive.
Weekend sentiment: AAII bears 44.4%, options stay call-heavy
U.S. markets are closed. AAII bearishness reached 44.4%, yet Friday’s Cboe equity put/call ratio was 0.62 and $VIX ended at 14.43—a split between caution and contained hedging.
Market sentiment: $VIX falls as $IWM drops 1.35%
On August 28, $IWM fell 1.35% and $QQQ lost 0.65% as the 2-year Treasury yield rose 14 bp. $VIX still eased to 14.43, leaving calm volatility at odds with broad risk weakness.
August 28 market wrap: Nasdaq-100 falls 0.70% as yields rise
The Nasdaq-100 fell 0.70% as Treasury yields rose and the VIX eased. Amazon gained 3.97% while Robinhood lost 5.01% in two contrasting watchlist moves.
Weekly recap: Nasdaq gains 0.85% while inflation keeps rates in focus
The Nasdaq rose 0.85% from August 21 to 28 as NVIDIA reported a $96.2B quarter and July PCE inflation held at 3.7%. The VIX fell to 14.43, but the 2-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.34%.
Market sentiment: $NQ jumps 1.14% while $RTY slips
At 5:00 a.m. ET, $NQ futures rose 1.14% while $RTY slipped 0.10%. Post-earnings AI optimism is strong, but small-cap futures and soft credit proxies keep the signal concentrated.
August 26 market wrap: S&P flat as VIX falls 1.55%
The S&P 500 was nearly flat, the Dow slipped and the VIX fell as Treasury yields edged higher. AEHR lost 4.68% while Oracle gained 2.84%.
NVIDIA crowding meets a narrower market rebound
At 4:58 a.m. ET, $NQ fell 0.20% while $YM rose 0.07%. Tuesday’s $QQQ-led rebound, weaker $RSP, lower yields and focused attention around NVIDIA point to event risk, not broad conviction.
August 25 market wrap: Tech rebounds as yields ease
The Nasdaq-100 led a broad rebound as the VIX and Treasury yields fell. HOOD gained 8.17% and Bloom Energy rose 6.58% within the live watchlist.
Tech futures rebound, but Monday’s breadth split tests conviction
At 4:59 a.m. ET, $NQ rose 0.68%, leading $RTY, $ES and $YM. Monday’s $QQQ loss, firmer $RSP and $DIA, higher $VIX and lower long yields leave conviction split.
Technology futures lag as Monday’s risk tone splits
At 4:58 a.m. ET, $NQ was down 0.55% while $RTY was nearly flat. Friday’s wider breadth and lower $VIX argue for rotation, but elevated Treasury yields keep the opening test cautious.
Friday’s rebound broadened, but rates kept caution alive
U.S. markets are closed Sunday. On Friday, $IWM rose 0.77%, $RSP gained 0.63% and $VIX fell to 15.13, but a 4.74% 10-year Treasury yield kept the rebound from becoming an all-clear signal.
Weekly recap: Tech slides 3.51% as yields and VIX rise
The S&P 500 lost 1.43% and the Nasdaq 2.05% from August 14 to 21 as technology fell 3.51%, the VIX rose to 15.13 and the 10-year yield reached 4.74%. Health care gained 4.33%, while tracked stocks showed wide dispersion.
Futures bounce, but Thursday’s selloff left a broader risk scar
$IWM lost 1.34% and $VIX rose 7.52% on August 20 as long yields climbed. Near 04:56 ET on August 21, Nasdaq-100 futures led a rebound, but breadth still needed confirmation.
August 20 market wrap: Dow slides as VIX jumps
U.S. indexes fell 0.72%–1.32% on August 20 as the VIX rose to 16.01 and the 10-year yield reached 4.69%. MRVL gained 5.79%, while RKLB lost 3.81%.
Breadth rebounds, but technology still withholds confirmation
$RSP rose 1.04% while $QQQ fell 0.20% on August 19, widening the breadth gap. Near 05:00 ET on August 20, futures slipped mildly as delayed $VIX rose to 15.23 despite lower long Treasury yields.
August 19 market wrap: Stocks rebound as VIX falls 6%
The S&P 500 gained 0.21% and the Dow 0.22% on August 19 while VIX dropped 6% to 14.89 and the 10-year yield eased to 4.65%. QQQ lagged, MRVL jumped 9.9%, and AEHR slid 12.4%.
Tech led Tuesday’s slide; Wednesday futures barely rebound
$QQQ fell 1.69% on August 18 versus 0.68% for $SPY, while $VIX closed at 15.84. Near 05:07 ET on August 19, equity futures were only fractionally higher as yields eased slightly from official closes.
August 18 market wrap: Tech slides as VIX rises 4.3%
The Nasdaq-100 fell 1.68% on August 18 as the VIX rose to 15.84. $CRDO lost 13.03% and $HOOD fell 4.90%, reducing cushion for existing short puts.
Rates turn broad weakness into a technology futures test
$NQ futures were down 1.10% near 05:00 ET, more than twice $ES’s 0.50% drop, as $VIX reached 15.88. Monday’s broad weakness has shifted into a sharper duration test for technology.
August 17 market wrap: Stocks fall as VIX and yields rise
U.S. indexes fell 0.17%–0.52% on August 17 as the VIX rose to 15.19 and Treasury yields increased. CRDO gained 8.82%, while META lost 3.54%.
Tech futures lead as small caps face a breadth test
$NQ futures led at +0.53% near 05:00 ET while $RTY and $YM were slightly lower. The split tests Friday’s small-cap strength as long yields keep the signal selective.
Stocks stay calm while bonds question the risk-on mood
Equity breadth improved through August 14 as $RSP and $IWM gained more than 1% over the week and $VIX fell. A higher 10-year yield and softer $LQD kept the signal mixed.
Small caps rise as market confidence turns selective
Large-cap ETFs eased on August 14 while $IWM gained 0.52% and $VIX fell to 14.25. Higher Treasury yields and divided public discussion left risk appetite selective.
August 14 market wrap: Stocks slip as volatility falls
U.S. indexes slipped 0.13%–0.20% on August 14 as the VIX fell to 14.25 and Treasury yields rose. NBIS gained 8.88%, while HOOD lost 3.83%.
Weekly recap: Energy jumps 7.67% as major indexes split
The S&P 500 gained 0.36% and the Nasdaq added 0.14% from August 7 to 14, while the Dow fell 0.56%. Energy jumped 7.67%, the VIX declined 4.36%, Treasury yields split, and CPI, PPI, retail sales and major earnings shaped the week.
Growth leads while retail conviction stays divided
Technology and equal-weight equities advanced on August 13 as $QQQ rose 1.16%, $RSP gained 0.75% and $VIX held at 14.63. Retail narratives remained divided.
Morning Read: Nubank clears $1 billion as futures hold steady
Nubank reports its first billion-dollar profit quarter as U.S. futures hold near flat. Customer growth and deposits rise, while later-stage delinquencies also increase.
August 13 market wrap: Nasdaq leads as yields ease
The Nasdaq-100 gained 1.15% on August 13 as Treasury yields fell. HOOD rose 4.70%, PLTR gained 4.66%, and the VIX edged up to 14.63.
Volatility cools as retail narratives split on the rally
Growth led Wednesday as $QQQ rose 0.73%, while $IWM and equal-weight $RSP also gained and $VIX fell to 14.55. Early futures were modestly positive, but retail narratives remained split.
August 12 market wrap: Nasdaq rises as Nebius surges
The Nasdaq-100 gained 0.74% on August 12 as the VIX and Treasury yields eased. NBIS surged 34.14% and CRWV rose 19.28%.
Tech futures rebound as retail conviction stays split
Nasdaq-100 futures rose 0.58% at 4:55 a.m. ET after $QQQ fell 0.34% Tuesday; $VIX closed at 15.28. X and Reddit discussion split between rebound enthusiasm and valuation caution.
Morning Read: CoreWeave's record quarter meets CPI
CoreWeave more than doubles Q2 revenue as U.S. futures edge higher before July CPI. Its $104 billion backlog contrasts with heavy interest expense and a net loss.
August 11 market wrap: indexes slip as Aehr jumps
U.S. indexes fell about 0.3% on August 11 as the VIX and Treasury yields eased. AEHR jumped 10.34% while GOOGL lost 3.84%.
The free YieldCove newsletter
Get The Wheelhouse in your inbox
Three briefings a week — market context, practical wheel-strategy ideas and YieldCove updates. Free to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Educational only — not financial advice.
PRO
Go deeper with Pro Tips
Actionable wheel playbooks from the desk — expirations, sizing, rolling and repair, with the exact numbers. Free for now.