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Geopolitical Uncertainty Leaves Market Risks Skewed

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Oil: Trading in a “War Range” After Testing Pre-Conflict Lows

WTI crude oil futures posted a strong rally to start the week as last week’s heavy selloff was predicated on optimism that the US and Iran were poised to make progress on peace talks. After testing pre-war lows in early July, WTI has rallied back into the H1 2026 “war range” between $85 and $105 per barrel, writes Tom Essaye, president of the Sevens Report.

The lack of any progress towards a lasting ceasefire between the US and Iran, paired with the disappointment surrounding failed efforts by Oman and Iran to strike an independent agreement, further added to a squeezy rally in oil. WTI futures ended Monday higher by 5.2%.

Looking ahead, geopolitical uncertainty leaves market risks skewed in favor of the oil bulls. Global supply dynamics are getting closer to increasingly dire levels with each passing week that oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at an effective standstill.

Until there is clarity on when Hormuz may reopen for free trade, WTI is set to trade between a newly formed band of technical support spanning $70-$75 and resistance from $95-$100.

Also, click here to view the full article published in moneyshow.com on August 12th, 2026. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

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The Market’s Just Waiting For The Light To Turn Green

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The Stock Market Is at a Stop Light. Wall Street Awaits ‘Green Light’ on Iran, Inflation.

“We really are at a little stoplight on the drive higher, and the market’s just waiting for the light to turn green on Hormuz and on CPI, and then I think the rally will resume,” says Sevens Report Research’s Tom Essaye.

For the market, the on-again-off-again nature of supposed talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have become a “nuisance” for markets, Essaye says, though he thinks Wall Street sees an agreement as inevitable. In the meantime, WTI crude oil futures were up 1.3% to $83.20 a barrel.

“That’s not on the forefront of the market’s radar, but it should be,” Essaye says. “Because if we get a hot CPI tomorrow, they’re going to take a run toward 5%, probably by the end of the week. And that would be a new negative for markets.”

Also, click here to view the full article published in Barron’s on August 11th, 2026. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Examining the Most Important Headline This Week (It’ll Surprise You)

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Examining the Most Important Headline This Week (It’ll Surprise You)

Futures are slightly higher despite post earnings selling in AI linked tech stocks, as lower oil boosts futures.

CSCO earnings weren’t as good as hoped for and the stock is down 6% pre-market, although it’s not weighing on the rest of the market.

There was no discernable progress on U.S./Iran peace talks but oil dropped 1% overnight on falling fears of escalation.

Today focus will remain on inflation and the economy via PPI  (E: 0.2% m/m, 4.9% y/y) and Jobless Claims (E: 203K).  The lower PPI and the closer jobless claims are to 200k, the better for markets (it’d be a Goldilocks reading). We also have one Fed speaker today, Barkin (8:40 a.m. ET), but he shouldn’t move markets.

On earnings, tech results continue and today’s key report is AMAT ($3.38).

 

Putting New Highs in the Right Context

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Putting New Highs in the Right Context
  • Weekly Market Preview: Does the “Chase” Continue?
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Inflation is Key This Week (CPI on Wednesday)

Futures are slightly higher despite no progress on the Strait of Hormuz reopening or a U.S./Iran ceasefire.

A ship was attacked over the weekend in the Strait of Hormuz and there are no more details on an Iran/Oman agreement on the Strait, so traffic remains effectively halted.

However, there appears to be no appetite from the U.S. to resume air strikes, so the lack of progress isn’t a negative for markets and oil prices are only up modestly (a bit over 1%).

Today there are no economic reports nor any Fed speakers so focus will remain on geopolitics and any details that imply increased Strait of Hormuz transit will pressure oil and help support stocks.

 

Tom Essaye Quoted in Bloomberg

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We need some solid earnings from the key tech names this week, Says Tom Essaye

Stocks, Bonds Fall as US-Iran Risks Whipsaw Oil: Markets Wrap

“For stocks to rebound, we need some solid earnings from the key tech names this week, and de-escalation in Iran wouldn’t hurt,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report. “Markets will want to see strong results and more signs of robust demand, but also evidence of restraint and a focus on stability.”

Also, click here to view the full article published in Bloomberg on July 19th, 2026. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

Did Markets Pass or Fail the Three Tests Last Week?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Did Markets Pass or Fail the Three Tests Last Week?
  • Weekly Market Preview: Focus on Earnings This Week
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet: Important Growth Updates

Futures are slightly higher as markets bounce from Friday’s declines despite further escalation between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend.

Oil prices hit $90/bbl overnight on continued escalation between the U.S. and Iran but pulled back and are flat after both sides reiterated they are still open to negotiations.

Economically, there was more positive inflation data as German PPI fell more than expected (-0.3% vs. (E) -0.2%).

Today there are no notable economic reports but focus will remain on geopolitics and any progress (at all) on a new ceasefire agreement will be a positive for stocks.

On earnings, this week is an important one although most of the major reports come later this week.  Some results we’re watching today include: DPZ ($4.09), AMC ($-0.01), STLD ($3.66).

 

Geopolitical Headlines Still Have The Potential to Blindside Traders

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Global oil prices notch back-to-back rise, remain ‘tethered to the Hormuz narrative’

Given Monday’s big rally in oil prices and Tuesday’s whipsaw intraday retreat from the highs, Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research, said it’s clear that geopolitical headlines still have the “potential to blindside traders and [trading] algorithms alike.”

Also, click here to view the full article published in MarketWatch on July 14th, 2026. However, to see the Sevens Report’s full comments on the current market environment sign up here.

If you want research that comes with no long term commitment, yet provides independent, value added, plain English analysis of complex macro topics, then begin your Sevens Report subscription today by clicking here.

To strengthen your market knowledge take a free trial of The Sevens Report.

Join hundreds of advisors from huge brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Raymond James, and more! To start your quarterly subscription and see how The Sevens Report can help you grow your business, click here.

How to Talk to Clients About the Latest in Iran

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • How to Talk to Clients About the Latest in Iran

Futures are slightly lower following disappointing tech earnings and more strikes between the U.S. and Iran.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) posted “not good enough” earnings and the stock is down –4% pre-market and that’s weighing on futures.

Focus today will stay on economic data, the Fed and earnings.  On the data front, the key reports are, in order of importance:   Retail Sales (E: -0.3%), Philly Fed (E: 3.0) and Jobless Claims (E: 220K).

Looking at the Fed, there are several speakers including Logan (12:30 p.m. ET), Schmid (1:25 p.m. ET) and  Jefferson (7:00 p.m. ET) although given the Warsh and Williams comments yesterday, these speakers will need to be very hawkish or dovish to move markets.

Finally, earnings season continues and key reports today include: UNH ($4.87), TSM ($3.87), GE ($1.86), ABT ($1.28), NFLX ($0.79), ISRG ($2.50), AA ($2.33).

 

Alpha Webinar Today at 1:30 p.m. ET: Where the AI Trade Goes Next

AI remains one of the most important investment themes in this market, but it’s no longer enough to simply be “bullish AI.” Leadership within the trade is changing, performance is becoming much more selective, and the next winners may look very different from the last winners.

In today’s Alpha Webinar (1:30 p.m. ET), we’ll explain how the AI trade is evolving, identify the groups we believe are best positioned for the next phase of the cycle, discuss the biggest risks investors should be watching, and outline what all of this means for portfolios over the coming months.

If AI is an important part of your investment process, join us this afternoon. Click here to register.

Monthly Bitcoin/Crypto Market Updates

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Monthly Bitcoin/Crypto Market Updates

Futures are little changed following a quiet night of news as efforts are underway to restore the U.S./Iran ceasefire.

There were no direct U.S. attacks on Iran overnight and U.S. officials said the two sides were still working on re-establishing a ceasefire.

Economically, German HICP (their CPI) was the only notable report and it met expectations at 2.4% y/y.

Today focus will stay on geopolitics and any progress on reestablishing the U.S./Iran ceasefire will pressure oil and should help boost stocks.  From an economic standpoint, today is quiet but next week is not, as next week has the potential to impact markets in numerous ways (economic data, inflation and earnings).  More on that in Monday’s Report.

 

Is More U.S/Iran Fighting a Real Negative for this Market?

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What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Is More U.S/Iran Fighting a Real Negative for this Market?

Futures are slightly higher on reduced geopolitical fears despite another round of U.S. strikes on Iran overnight.

Early on Thursday President Trump stated Iran “called and wants to make a deal” and that’s again boosting ceasefire hopes.

Economically, the only notable report was Chinese CPI which was better than expectations (1.0% vs. (E) 1.2%).

Today focus will remain on geopolitics (any signs of further de-escalation will be generally positive) but there are also notable economic reports and some Fed speak.  Economically, Jobless Claims (E: 219K) are the highlight and the lower, the better.  We also get Existing Home Sales (E: 4.20 million) but that shouldn’t move markets.

Turning to the Fed, there are two speakers today of which Williams (9:00 a.m. ET) is the most important and if he pushes back against rate hikes, that will be a market positive. Logan (1:30 p.m. ET) also speaks but she’s unlikely to move markets.

 

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