Week 31: Fed Holds, Microsoft Surges, Markets Recover
A volatile week of central bank signals, hawkish bond moves and swinging tech earnings resolved in a positive weekly close and three of four portfolios beat the S&P 500. →
Week 29 (13–17 July) began with cautious optimism as Q2 earnings season kicked off in earnest. Better-than-expected results from the major US banks and softer-than-forecast producer price data set a constructive early tone. By Friday, however, renewed doubts about the sustainability of the AI boom — combined with fresh US-Iran tensions — sent technology stocks lower and pulled the broader index into the red. The S&P 500 now stands +8.8% year-to-date.
A volatile week of central bank signals, hawkish bond moves and swinging tech earnings resolved in a positive weekly close and three of four portfolios beat the S&P 500. →
Alphabet and Tesla missed the mark, Brent briefly crossed $100, and equity markets fell for a second consecutive week: yet the combined portfolio ended the week virtually flat. →
Iran tensions, a hawkish Fed and surging oil prices kept traders on edge: yet equities ended the week higher and all four Rivativ portfolios outperformed the S&P 500. →
A week of falling volatility and flattening term structures rewarded systematic positioning — but tactical gamma trades faced headwinds. →
A week of falling volatility and flattening term structures rewarded systematic positioning — but tactical gamma trades faced headwinds. →