BREAKING: President Trump says Iran called him "a while ago" and they "want to make a deal."
The US stock market extends its rally to a new high of the day.
BREAKING: President Trump has formally notified US Congress that the US is at war with Iran, per Politico.
Details include:
1. The move gives Trump another 60 days to use the military in the region without congressional approval
2. Trump said strikes that began on July 7th represent "military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and US interests both at home and abroad"
3. Trump also just said that he will "hit Iran hard" tonight amid mounting tensions
The Iran War appears to be back again.
TRUMP ON TRUTH SOCIAL:
The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
BREAKING: The UAE is planning to build a new port and container terminal on the country's east cost to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, per FT.
Details include:
1. Dubai's DP World is in talks to develop a new multipurpose port in the coastal area of Fujairah
2. The new project would allow containers to enter and leave the country without having to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
3. Shipments would then be moved on trucks overland to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and neighboring Gulf countries
The Iran War continues to reshape global trade.
Korea's banks are running out of dry powder to keep the stock bubble rising
South Korea's five major commercial banks have exhausted over 85% of their annual household loan growth limits in the first half of the year due to persistent demand for home mortgages (which are being used to fund stock purchases) and direct stock market investments. Under strict regulatory caps designed to limit annual growth to 1.5%, the banks have collectively increased their household loan balances by 3.69 trillion won out of their combined 4.33 trillion won annual limit.
With at least two banks already exceeding their yearly targets, financial markets anticipate a severe "lending cliff" in the second half of the year as banks are forced to restrict new loans and prioritize repayments
https://t.co/Wpi5HbhP8V
The market is extremely volatile under the surface:
The difference between individual stock volatility in the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Volatility Index, $VIX, is up to a record 34 points.
This gap has surged +19 points, or +127%, since March.
Over this period, the individual stock volatility index has risen +9 points, to 49 points, the highest since March 2025.
At the same time, $VIX has declined -16 points, to 15 points, the lowest since mid-January.
In other words, the calm in the broader market is hiding unusually high stress across individual stocks.
This comes as the concentration in mega-cap tech continues to keep index volatility artificially low.
Single stocks are trading as if a correction has already occurred.
Key Events This Week:
1. Markets React to Strait of Hormuz Closure - Today, 6 PM ET
2. June CPI Inflation data - Tuesday
3. June PPI Inflation data - Wednesday
4. June Retail Sales data - Thursday
5. July Philly Fed Manufacturing Index - Thursday
6. July MI Inflation Expectations data - Friday
7. July MI Consumer Sentiment data - Friday
8. ~10% of S&P 500 Companies Report Earnings
We have a highly eventful week ahead of us.
BREAKING: Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority says it is currently "not possible" to transit through the Strait of Hormuz because of "recent illegal movements of US Military forces in the region."
Stock market futures open in less than 9 hours.