Analyst Highlights
- NIQ Global Intelligence raised $1.05B in a blockbuster IPO, reinforcing investor confidence in AI-powered analytics platforms.
- Solana led crypto gains, up +1.85%, while XRP fell –8.44%, showing high divergence across altcoins.
- Brent and WTI crude retreated, closing at $68.44 and $65.16 respectively, pressured by surplus forecasts.
- Trump Media bet $300M on BTC options, signaling increasing political exposure to crypto volatility.
- European equities are primed for a relief rally, with luxury goods and autos expected to lead after tariff resolution.
- Fed expected to pause rate hikes this week, with market focus turning to Big Tech earnings and key economic indicators.
IPO’s in the week
- Accelerant Holdings (ARX, NYSE) priced its IPO at $21.00 on July 24, 2025, raising $723.7 million from 34.46 million shares. The Cayman Islands–based specialty insurance marketplace connects underwriters with risk capital partners through a data‑driven platform and reported $3.5 billion in written premiums over the past year with strong revenue growth and low churn.
- Linkhome Holdings Inc. (LHAI, Nasdaq Capital) priced its IPO at $4.00 on July 24, 2025, raising $6.0 million from 1.5 million shares. The company runs an AI‑driven real estate platform in California, integrating fintech tools like its Cash Offer program to simplify buying and selling homes.
- McGraw Hill, Inc. (MH, NYSE) priced its IPO at $17.00 on July 24, 2025, raising $414.6 million from 24.39 million shares. The Delaware‑based education company serves about 60 million learners annually, offering trusted content and data‑driven digital solutions across K‑12, higher education, and professional learning.
- NIQ Global Intelligence plc (NIQ, NYSE) priced its IPO at $21.00 on July 23, 2025, raising $1.05 billion from 50 million shares. The company is a leading global consumer intelligence provider, offering AI‑powered data and analytics across more than 90 countries to help brands and retailers make strategic decisions.
- Carlsmed, Inc. (CARL, Nasdaq Global Select) priced its IPO at $15.00 on July 23, 2025, raising $100.5 million from 6.7 million shares. The Delaware‑based medical technology company develops AI‑enabled personalized spine surgery solutions, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce revision surgeries through its FDA‑cleared aprevo Technology Platform.
- Cre8 Enterprise Ltd (CRE, Nasdaq Capital) priced its IPO at $4.00 on July 23, 2025, raising $5.8 million from 1.45 million shares. The Hong Kong–based company provides integrated financial printing and related services for listed firms and IPO applicants, with additional offerings in design, branding, and compliance support.
- Dreamland Ltd (TDIC, Nasdaq Capital) priced its IPO at $4.00 on July 23, 2025, raising $8.0 million from 2 million shares. The Hong Kong–based event management company specializes in themed experience events, merchandise design, and brand activations, with rapid revenue growth following post‑pandemic recovery
Markets Weekly
- S&P 500 closed at 6,388.64, gaining +25.29 points (+0.40%) for the week.
- Russell 1000 (IWB) closed at 350.15, rising +1.63 points (+0.47%) for the week.
- Russell 2000 closed at 2,261.07, gaining +8.94 points (+0.40%) for the week.
- Russell 3000 closed at 3,632.88, rising +15.77 points (+0.44%) for the week.
- CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) rose to 15.21, up +0.28 points (+1.88%) for the week.
- Dow Jones closed at 44,901.92, rising +208.02 points (+0.47%) for the week.
- NASDAQ closed at 21,108.32, gaining +50.32 points (+0.24%) for the week.
- BTC closed at $117,947.37, reflecting a weekly gain of +$640.90 (+0.55%).
- ETH closed at $3,741.40, reflecting a weekly decline of –$17.52 (–0.47%).
- Solana closed at $184.91 on July 26, marking a weekly gain of +$3.36 (+1.85%).
- XRP closed at $3.1675 on July 26, reflecting a weekly loss of -$0.2920 (-8.44%).
- Gold closed at $3,334.00 on July 25, marking a weekly loss of -$16.30 (-0.49%).
- Silver closed at $38.167 on July 25, posting a weekly loss of -$0.828 (-2.12%).
- WTI crude closed at $65.16 on July 25, recording a weekly decline of -$2.16 (-3.21%).
- Brent closed at $68.44 on July 25, marking a weekly loss of -$0.78 (-1.13%).
- Investors expect a relief rally in European stocks after the US‑EU trade deal. Autos and luxury goods are seen leading gains.
- Wall Street faces a pivotal week as Fed signals, Big Tech earnings and key data guide markets, testing confidence in economic resilience amid trade uncertainty.
- Fed officials are expected to hold rates steady this week amid a heated internal debate, boosting bets on a fall cut.
- Crypto altcoins slid as Bitcoin dropped 2% to $116,200 with $159 million in longs liquidated. Traders see it as a healthy correction while longer‑term outlooks stay bullish.
- Trump Media & Technology Group put $300 million into Bitcoin‑linked options to profit from market swings.
- US futures rose after a US‑EU tariff deal imposed 15% on most exports, easing trade‑war fears. S&P 500 contracts climbed 0.4% ahead of key data this week.
- Healthcare Triangle jumped 100% and drove 15% of US trading volume, underscoring meme‑stock volatility.
- Oil holds near $70 as traders weigh strong prices against looming surplus forecasts that could pressure demand.
- Investors hedge record‑high stocks with exotic options like lookback puts as volatility stays low and protection demand rises.
Politics Weekly
- The US and EU agreed on a 15% tariff on most EU exports, easing trade war fears and bringing market relief.
- The EU and US differ on pharma tariffs, creating uncertainty over Trump’s trade deal. Conflicting statements raise risks on implementation.
- US and China are expected to extend their tariff truce by 90 days, pausing new duties. Talks between top officials are set to begin Monday in Stockholm.
- France will recognize a Palestinian state to help end hostilities and push for Hamas’s disarmament.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet President Trump in Scotland to clear hurdles on a US‑UK trade deal and push for a Gaza ceasefire.
- Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet Monday to end deadly border clashes after Trump pushed for a ceasefire with tariff threats.
- Taiwan’s president is backing a recall vote to unseat opposition lawmakers and regain parliament control, a move that could raise tensions with China.
- Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he will stay on despite party calls to quit, vowing to see through the US‑Japan trade deal after the LDP’s election setback.
- The US Treasury sanctioned Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles for aiding groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, vowing to keep cracking down on violent networks.
- Trump’s planned 50% tariff on Brazilian exports could cut Sao Paulo’s GDP by 2.7% and endanger 120,000 jobs, prompting state leaders to seek mitigation measures.
Technology Advancements in the week
- Lyft will partner with Benteler to launch autonomous electric shuttles in the US from 2026, starting with airports and cities and expanding globally.
- Silicon Valley defense startups are investing $4 billion in factories and weapons production like drones, aiming to scale fast despite uncertain orders.
- Meta appointed ex‑OpenAI researcher Shengjia Zhao as chief scientist of its superintelligence AI group, aiming to build models rivaling human performance.
- China’s Premier Li Qiang warned against an AI monopoly and vowed to create a global body for joint AI development, urging nations to cooperate amid US tech curbs.
- US health and tech officials will unveil a plan this week to boost seamless health‑care data sharing, aiming to build a smarter and more secure system.
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