Weekly Market Update

The launch of Trump Accounts for kids on July 4 has brought long-term retirement savings into focus, but it's just the beginning. Meanwhile, the tech sector emerged as a clear winner in the first half of 2026, with international stocks outperforming their U.S. counterparts.

MARKET SNAPSHOT:

• Stocks: The tech sector led gains in the first half of 2026, with international stocks outperforming their U.S. counterparts.
• Mortgage Rates: Mortgage rates hover near 6.5% for the seventh week in a row, making borrowing more expensive for people looking to buy or refinance a home.
• Oil Prices: Oil prices have fallen back sharply to near pre-war levels over recent weeks, but commodity strategists warn that persistent supply risks could spark a rebound.

WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY IT MATTERS:

The tech sector emerged as a clear winner in the first half of 2026. This is not surprising given the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. However, it's worth noting that while U.S. Big Tech stocks enjoyed strong gains, they were largely outperformed by their international counterparts.

The launch of Trump Accounts for kids on July 4 has brought long-term retirement savings into focus. These new tax-advantaged investment accounts are geared toward long-term retirement savings rather than education or shorter-term goals. This could be an attractive option for parents looking to save for their children's future, but it's essential to understand the details and fees involved.

In other news, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears poised to make a big bet on cloud computing, which has proven to be highly lucrative for companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS). However, this market commands much slimmer margins than Meta's dominant online ad business.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT WEEK:

• The launch of Trump Accounts for kids is just the beginning, and investors will be watching how these new tax-advantaged investment accounts perform in the market.
• The Fed will be releasing its latest interest rate decision, which could have a significant impact on borrowing costs and the overall economy.
• Tesla's quarterly earnings report will also be closely watched, as the company tries to rebound from consecutive annual declines in auto sales.

The tech sector's strong performance in the first half of 2026 highlights the growing importance of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the launch of Trump Accounts for kids on July 4 has brought long-term retirement savings into focus. The big question now is how these new tax-advantaged investment accounts will perform in the market, and what it means for investors who are looking to save for their children's future.