This article provides an early-week update on the highly volatile and under-pressure semi-conductor sector, as well as the Mag 7 stocks with AAPL, AMZN, META and MSFT reporting earnings this week. It also looks at SpaceX (SPCX), which is well below its IPO price and falling like a stone.

US stocks were mixed but tech continued to be the driver. US bonds did less well, as yields moved higher across the curve. Global stocks were generally weaker, as oil inched higher due to ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East with the Strait of Hormuz again the focal point.

Happy 250th birthday to America, and Happy Independence Day to my American colleagues. The summary today has a table for 1H2026 performance across indices and asset classes, as well as an update for the week.

Stocks and bonds diverged last week, as volatility kicked into high gear especially around semi-conductor stocks. Yields came in across the curve as long term inflation expectations subsided. Gold and Bitcoin lost ground, and the US Dollar continued to grind higher.