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Happy Thursday Zingernation! When you’re a kid, nothing beats the feeling of waking up on your birthday or Christmas morning. And as an investor, the only thing that replicates that feeling is when the Fed cuts rates, potentially saving those bag-holder stocks in your portfolio. Here’s what needs to happen for the Fed to bring us Christmas in September, plus where Americans are putting their money with rates set to go down.

—Aaron Bry & Nic Chahine

Plus, if you’re looking to take your options trading to the next level, check out today’s partner, CBOE.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Yesterday: The Fed minutes gave more insights into the central bank’s plans to cut rates in September, helping boost stocks yesterday afternoon. The Nasdaq led the way, closing up a little more than .5%.

On Our Radar: S&P flash U.S. services and manufacturing PMI will come out at 9:45 am ET and then existing home sales data will come out 15 minutes later at 10 am ET.

TOP STORY

Fed Minutes Reveal 'Plausible Case' For Interest Rate Cut As Policymakers Cheer Inflation Progress

Basically: The minutes from the July Federal Open Market Committee meeting indicate that policymakers are leaning toward making the first interest rate cut in over four years at the upcoming September meeting, driven by ongoing progress in curbing inflation.

So: Although all participants agreed to maintain the federal funds rate target range at 5.25%-5.5% during the July meeting, the minutes revealed that several participants “had provided a plausible case for reducing the target range 25 basis points at this meeting or that they could have supported such a decision,” based on recent progress on inflation and increases in the unemployment rate. Here’s what needs to happen for the Fed to cut rates in September.

PRESENTED BY CBOE

FIVE ZINGERS

Fixer-Upper: Advanced Auto Parts stock is looking more like a beater than a dream car, trading lower after a lackluster earnings report.

What’s New?: Peter Schiff is back at it, saying the U.S. dollar is on the verge of ‘total collapse’. Here’s why.

To The Backburner: Apple is delaying plans to release a foldable Macbook Pro due to technical issues, pushing the product back to 2028.

Hungry Like The $WOLF: Wolfspeed shares are trading higher this morning after a stronger-than-expected earnings report.

The Saga Continues: Paramount shares jumped higher this morning as Edgar Bronfman steps in and sweetens the acquisition offer.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Is The Consumer OK? What We Know From Retailers About Spending In 2024

Basically: As the earnings season unfolds, more businesses are sharing perspectives on consumer trends. According to a Bloomberg analysis, retailers are frustrated over the lack of spending on the part of shoppers. And yet, retail sales soared by 1% month-over-month in July.

So: The sharp rebound from stagnation in June surprised economists who expected an uptick of just 0.3%. The data also threw off analysts who expected consumers to pull back on spending due to stubborn inflation. Here are the retail companies that are doing well, and the ones that are struggling.

PRESENTED BY CBOE

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