Image Source: UnsplashConsumer sentiment lifted modestly today (headline Conf Board) but under the hood it was a shit-show with labor market weakness accelerating and purchasing-plans puking. Regional Fed surveys were also ugly (as home prices hit new record highs).That ‘bad’ news prompted a dovish shift in rate-cut expectations (with attention once again shifting to 2024 from 2025)…Source: BloombergThe slight easing sent gold to a new record high…Source: BloombergTreasury yields were mixed on the day with the short-end outperforming (2Y -3bps, 30Y +2bps), which dragged the 2Y yield lower on the week. Note that bonds were bid from early in the US session after an ugly EU session…Source: BloombergNasdaq outperformed on the day (after all the majors were weak out of the gate). Small Caps were the biggest loser with The Dow unchanged…NVDA was the notable outperformer among the Mag7 today…Source: BloombergMost notably, 0-DTE traders piled aggressively into calls today (but late on were more conservative with buying straddles)…Source: SpotGammaNotably, it has been Dem-policy-driven stocks that have outperformed in the last couple of weeks (but notice the lower pane shows we are at a key relative strength level for Dems/Reps right now)…Source: BloombergThe dollar was unchanged on the day, unable to recover any more of the post-J-Hole losses…Source: BloombergAs gold rallied, the other alternative currency (Bitcoin) crumbled back to pre-J-Hole levels…Source: BloombergOil prices fell today, seemingly stalling at recent resistance…Source: BloombergFinally, it’s the big one tomorrow… NVDA’s earnings. The S&P 500 vol market is ready…Source: BloombergAre you?Source: BloombergOf course, it’s different this time.More By This Author:Solid 2Y Treasury Auction Prices At Lowest Yield In Two YearsSuper Micro Shares Plunge 8% After Hindenburg Shorts, Claims “Fresh Evidence” Of Accounting ManipulationUS Home Prices Surged To New Record High In June