PUT IN WORK (9/14/2026)
We’re back with another issue after the long weekend! Although last week was a shorter one due to Labor Day, there's still plenty to discuss. Most of the week centered around oil prices, inflation, and the Fed’s upcoming decision on interest rates, and by Friday's close, the Nasdaq (QQQ) ended down 0.6%, while the S&P 500 (SPY) finished down 0.8%.
As a result of attacks on Saudi energy facilities—and immediate concerns regarding inflation—Tuesday saw stocks open on the lower end. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 both ended the day in the red, though a handful of chip and memory names managed to hold up. Intel (INTC) rose after reports that the company may raise prices, while Qualcomm (QCOM) moved higher after announcing a partnership with Amazon (AMZN).
Wednesday was similar as stocks fell for yet another session. Treasury yields climbed to their highest level in nearly three years after a lukewarm treasury buyback operation that disappointed some investors. Oil prices also climbed higher, with some reaching above $100 a barrel. That being said, Meta (META) was a standout after strong early interest in its new AI agent, while Apple (AAPL) inched lower after unveiling its latest products.
Thursday proved to be more of the same as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both fell once more; this time, as a result of investors growing more convinced that the Fed might raise rates during its fast-approaching meeting. PPI inflation came in a bit hotter than expected, which only added to investors’ concerns. Chip and storage stocks crept lower, with Intel and Micron (MU) being some of the more notable players.
Though the week wasn’t saved, Friday brought a much needed rebound! Stocks jumped after CPI inflation matched expectations and oil prices pulled back, giving investors a bit of breathing room after a handful of rough sessions. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Dell (DELL) both posted strong gains, and overall, most major tech names finished higher.
Despite closing in the red, the week ended better than it started. With inflation still a concern and the Fed meeting right around the corner, we’re interested to see how this week plays out!
PORTFOLIO UPDATE
Our stocks actually performed slightly better than the market, and though we didn’t end in the green, we did end close to neutral. It was a decent week for our portfolio, and we’re hoping this week’s performance can capitalize on that momentum. As always, thank you for reading, and happy investing.