Is the Market About to Break?

Plus: Boeing’s CEO Turbulence and Amazon Ignites Real Estate's Next Big Play ͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­͏   ­ Forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]() for more [Is the Market About to Break?]( Plus: Boeing’s CEO Turbulence and Amazon Ignites Real Estate's Next Big Play [Josh Belanger](joshbelanger) Aug 2 joshbelanger   [READ IN APP](   August is here, and it's already proving to be the volatile beast we expected. After a roaring rally led by Nvidia, today’s market took a hard left. Stocks initially popped on Meta's stellar earnings, but those gains quickly evaporated as the bears stormed back, erasing Wednesday's rally. Back on July 12th, I warned, “[Powell Just Rang The Alarm for Market Sell-off!](. Yesterday, Jerome Powell laid the groundwork for a September rate cut, and now, the market is pricing in not just one, but two cuts before year’s end. This isn't good news. Fast rate cuts often signal deeper problems, which means bad news is back to being, well, bad news. It might be time to dust off that recession playbook, because the best trade in a downturn? Long bonds— and the bond market is flashing that very signal. Rate Cuts Loom as Recession Cracks Emerge Generated by AI. Why it Matters: The U.S. economy is feeling the heat. While inflation is cooling, consumers are spending less, and big companies are starting to hurt. [Powell’s talk of rate cuts]( in September shows the Fed is worried, but the bigger issue might be that the economy isn’t as strong as it seems. The Details: Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible rate cut next month to protect jobs as inflation slows. But this could signal deeper trouble. Companies like Diageo and Starbucks are already seeing sales drop as consumers tighten their belts. Diageo, one of the world’s largest drink makers, [reported its first sales drop since 2020]( calling it an "extraordinary" time for consumers. Meanwhile, Starbucks reported its [second straight drop in U.S. same-store sales]( even as it tries to bring back customers with new menu items. Zoom In: Powell’s careful tone reflects growing concerns about jobs, with unemployment ticking up and wage growth slowing. Meanwhile, consumers are pulling back, as shown by the struggles at Diageo and Starbucks. Diageo’s stock fell 9% as investors worried, while Starbucks is battling lower sales and profits despite offering new drinks and deals. Big Picture: With potential rate cuts coming, less consumer spending, and big companies feeling the pinch, the U.S. economy might be in for a rough patch. Companies that thrived during the pandemic are now facing more cautious and budget-conscious customers. Bottom Line: As the Fed prepares for possible rate cuts, signs of economic trouble are emerging. Consumers are spending less, and companies are feeling the impact. This could be the start of a broader economic shift that may change the markets in the months ahead. Boeing Stock Faces Turbulence With New CEO Generated by AI. Why it Matters: Boeing's future is on shaky ground as the company battles deep-seated issues. The new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, faces a daunting task: turning around a company plagued by quality issues, financial losses, and a strained relationship with regulators. The Details: Kelly Ortberg is stepping into Boeing's top job on August 8th, and his to-do list is overwhelming. He needs to overhaul Boeing’s culture, fix production problems, and restore cash flow by ramping up output of the 737 and 787 Dreamliner. Ortberg’s challenges include [averting a strike]( winning over regulators, and navigating a mountain of debt. The pressure is on to deliver results quickly, with [Boeing’s stock]( already taking hits from poor earnings. Zoom In: Boeing’s new CEO has his work cut out for him. The company’s long-term debt has ballooned to $53.2 billion, and production delays are straining relationships with customers and suppliers. Ortberg, who plans to work out of Seattle, closer to Boeing’s manufacturing hub, is expected to tackle these challenges head-on, but the road ahead is anything but smooth. Big Picture: Boeing’s troubles aren’t just about fixing planes; they’re about fixing a broken culture and regaining trust in the market. The company must navigate through turbulent times, with a fragile financial situation and stiff competition from Airbus. Ortberg's leadership will be critical in steering Boeing back on course, but it won't be easy. Bottom Line: It’s a rough time to be a Boeing shareholder, with more tough quarters likely ahead. Boeing may be too big to fail, but that doesn’t make it a great stock to own right now. However, it could be a strong candidate for selling options, allowing investors to capitalize on the stock's volatility while the company works through its challenges. How Amazon is Creating Real Estate's Next Big Play Generated by AI. Why it Matters: Amazon is moving deeper into rural America, aiming to speed up deliveries and gain more control over logistics. This could shake up the delivery industry and spark a real estate boom. The Details: Amazon is expanding its one-to-two-day delivery service into rural areas, [taking on the USPS]( and other delivery giants. To do this, they’re building smaller warehouses closer to remote towns and partnering with local businesses. The goal is faster delivery times, especially in areas where customers currently wait several days for their packages. Zoom In: By handling more of its own deliveries, Amazon reduces its reliance on other carriers like the USPS. This expansion means more warehouses and real estate in rural areas, creating a new investment opportunity. Amazon’s move could also heat up competition with retailers like Walmart, which is also expanding rural deliveries. Big Picture: This isn’t just about faster deliveries. Amazon’s growth in rural areas could drive demand for warehouses, making real estate a hot investment. There’s a key stock that stands to benefit from this—a "toll booth" for the coming real estate surge. I’ll share how to play this for paid subscribers, so don’t miss out—upgrade today! [Upgrade to paid]( Option Sizzle Today’s option volume hit 50.9 million contracts, right in line with expectations. Here are some stocks with notable, unusual activity: - British American Tobacco (BTI): Bullish action with 9,100 calls traded—3 times the expected volume. - Icahn Enterprises (IEP): Bearish sentiment as 1,800 puts traded—also 3 times the usual volume. - Hawaiian Holdings (HA): Bears were out in force with 13,000 puts trading—twice the normal activity. Why it Matters: Unusual options activity can be an early indicator of significant price movements. When options volume spikes, it often reflects strong investor sentiment, whether bullish or bearish, and can provide clues about future market direction. You’re currently a free subscriber. Upgrade for the full experience and receive exclusive special reports like "How to Get Rich in The Stock Market" and "Congress' Secret Stock Playbook: The Top 5 Power Picks Revealed”. [Upgrade to paid](   [Like]( [Comment]( [Restack](   © 2024 Josh Belanger 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 [Unsubscribe]() [Get the app]( writing]()