Looking back on the week

No hype, no forecasts, just process.

Week of August 21 - August 28, 2026

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S&P 500 +0.49% | Communication Services led (+1.43%) | Health Care lagged (-1.98%) | VIX 14.43 (falling)

NEXT-WEEK BIAS: NEUTRAL — CONSOLIDATION LIKELY No edge either direction yet — no confirmed breakout or breakdown. Favor names holding above their 50-day, skip the chase. Communication Services vs Health Care rotation sets the tone next week.

Bull: SPX holds above 7,596 and breaks 7,789 — Communication Services extends, breadth stays broad. Add on confirmed breakout. Base: SPX chops between 7,596 and 7,789 — stay selective, fade extremes, reduce size in chop. Bear: SPX loses 7,596 on volume — Health Care accelerates lower, VIX spikes. Step aside or hedge.

Communication Services led this week while Health Care lagged. Heading into next week with a neutral — consolidation likely setup — bull, base, or bear? Drop your bias, your ticker, your key level, and what confirms it.

MAJOR INDICES — WEEKLY PERFORMANCE S&P 500: 7711.76 +0.49% Dow Jones: 53559.99 +0.53% Nasdaq: 26402.42 +0.85% Russell 2000: 2972.37 -1.51% VIX: 14.43 -4.63%

KEY TECHNICAL LEVELS S&P 500 Support: 7,596 / 7,480 Resistance: 7,789 / 7,905 Nasdaq Support: 26,006 / 25,558 Resistance: 26,719 / 27,142

SECTOR ROTATION Leading: Communication Services (+1.43%) | Information Technology (+1.30%) | Financials (+1.08%) Lagging: Energy (-1.51%) | Industrials (-1.73%) | Health Care (-1.98%) Earnings Calendar (Week Ahead):

Week of Aug 24 - Aug 28, 2026: Mon Aug 24: Check earningswhispers.com for full calendar

Looking ahead - week of Aug 31 - Sep 04, 2026: Wed Sep 02: AVGO Est: $3.24 Thu Sep 03: CPB Est: $0.39

Latest earnings headlines: Stocks Supported by Strong Tech Earnings Essex Property Trust Stock Outlook: Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish?

MACRO CALENDAR — WEEK AHEAD Federal Reserve Outlook: Next FOMC Meeting: September 16, 2026 (18 days away) Following Meeting: November 04, 2026 What to watch: Fed speakers this week, any rate guidance or economic projections Current policy stance: Monitor Fed.gov for latest statement

Inflation Data (CPI): TIPS ETF (TIP) weekly move: -0.18% (inflation expectations proxy)

• Kansas City Fed's Schmid says inflation 'stubborn' and 'sticky,' policy rate not restrictive
• Fed officials saw need for rate hike if inflation doesn't cool, minutes show Next CPI Release: Check bls.gov for next release date

Economic Calendar (Week Ahead): Key economic releases next week: August 24, 2026: ISM Manufacturing PMI August 25, 2026: Consumer Confidence (Conference Board) August 25, 2026: JOLTS Job Openings August 26, 2026: ADP Employment Report August 27, 2026: Initial Jobless Claims August 27, 2026: ISM Services PMI August 28, 2026: Nonfarm Payrolls August 28, 2026: Unemployment Rate August 28, 2026: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

KEY MARKET THEMES AND GEOPOLITICAL WATCH

• Iran calls for global pushback against U.S. sanctions, says diplomacy 'isn't impossible'
• 2-year Treasury yield jumps as Warsh says Fed may 'have work to do'
• U.S. Navy blockade slashes Iran oil exports as Trump administration shifts to economic warfare

CRYPTO Bitcoin: $77,741.75 -1.55% (weekly) Ethereum: $2,441.50 -1.63% (weekly)

TOP MARKET HEADLINES THIS WEEK

1. Nvidia’s revenue forecast is so huge that Wall Street wonders if SpaceX is the reason
2. Marvell shares tumble 6% as outlook underwhelms despite 37% revenue growth
3. UAE ‘spy sheikh’ backs 49% stake in Trump family’s crypto bank venture, WSJ reports
4. Genius Group Plans $1.2B Capital Raise to Build AI, Bitcoin Treasuries

Before planning next week, ask yourself three questions:

1. What trade did you take that matched your plan? What made it work?
2. What trade did you take that broke your rules? What triggered the deviation?
3. What is the one thing you will do differently next week?