The Dow recovered over half of Thursdays decline overnight as Microsoft surged +15.5% after strong Azure cloud growth reinforced confidence that AI infrastructure spending is yielding results, sparking a broad rebound across semiconductor stocks. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) climbed more than +8%, with Micron Technology jumping +18% and AMD rising more than +13%, while South Korean memory giant SK Hynix rallied over +17%. The move reignited the momentum trade, with the iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) gaining more than +5% as investors rotated back into AI-linked names.
In contrast, Meta Platforms fell 8% after issuing softer revenue guidance and reporting a 91% decline in second-quarter free cash flow. Volatility may be high at the stock level, but this earnings season continues to support US indices, with ~68% of stocks beating EPS and ~79% on the revenue line – the balance of the S&P 500 stocks are due to report in the coming fortnight, with the local names also getting ready to face the music in August.
- The Dow continues to look well positioned to rally through 2H of 2026 once the US-Iran conflict is resolved.
MM is bullish towards the Dow around the 52,000 level
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