Home / Stocks Finish Mixed as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for No Rate Hikes
Major market indices ended the week mixed as softer-than-expected July inflation increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may leave interest rates unchanged this fall. However, investors may not get the same inflation relief in August, as the recent rebound in fuel prices is likely to put upward pressure on the monthly inflation reading. Most major indices finished higher for the week, although the Dow 30 Industrials posted a modest decline.
Retail sales also softened moderately in July, but the underlying picture was more encouraging. Excluding gasoline and auto sales, retail activity declined much less, suggesting consumers remain relatively resilient. The drop in gasoline sales largely reflected lower pump prices during July—a trend that has since reversed as fuel prices have moved higher in August.
Treasury Yields
• 30-year Treasury: 5.243% (higher)
• 10-year Treasury: 4.657% (lower)
Mortgage Rates
• Average 30-year fixed (Freddie Mac): 6.67% (lower)
Commodities & Currency
U.S. dollar index: 99.62 (lower)
Crude oil: $81.31 per barrel (higher)
Natural gas: $2.750 (higher)
Gold: $4,441.70 per ounce (higher)
Silver $65.305s per ounce (higher)
Treasury Department
Source: U.S. Treasury Department
National Association of Realtors
Existing home sales -1.7% June, +0.7% year
Inventory of existing homes for sale -1.9% June, -0.6% year
Median sales price of an existing home -2.0% year
Commerce Department
Retail Sales – July
-0.6% month, +5.0% year
Labor Department
Consumer Price Index – July
+0.1% month, +3.4% year
Excluding volatile food and energy, +0.2% July, +2.5% year
Producer Price Index
Unchanged July, +4.7% 12 months
Goods -0.7% July
Services +0.2% July
Less food, energy and trade services, +0.4% July, +4.7% year
Jobless Claims (prior week)
New Claims 209,000 (higher)
4-week Moving Average 199,000
Total Claims 1,777,000 (lower)
Energy & Industry Data
Energy Information Administration
Weekly Oil Production 13.805 million barrels (higher)
Natural Gas Storage +36 billion Ft3, above average for this time of year over the past 5 years.
Baker Hughes Rig Count
Oil rigs: +1 at 455
Gas rigs: +4 at 128
(All data was released the week of 08/10/2026)
(All monthly statistics are seasonally adjusted unless stated otherwise).
If you have questions about the markets or your financial plan, we’re always here to help.
Loren Rex – Emeritus
Erik A Smith, AIF® – President & C.E.O.
Nicholas Acri, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Dylan Thomas, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Jack Zeeb – Wealth Advisor
These are the opinions of Loren Rex and Erik Smith and are not necessarily those of Cambridge, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice. The Indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity indexes. The Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange (more than 2500 stocks).
Stocks Finish Mixed as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for No Rate Hikes
Commentary
Home / Stocks Finish Mixed as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for No Rate Hikes
Major market indices ended the week mixed as softer-than-expected July inflation increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may leave interest rates unchanged this fall. However, investors may not get the same inflation relief in August, as the recent rebound in fuel prices is likely to put upward pressure on the monthly inflation reading. Most major indices finished higher for the week, although the Dow 30 Industrials posted a modest decline.
Retail sales also softened moderately in July, but the underlying picture was more encouraging. Excluding gasoline and auto sales, retail activity declined much less, suggesting consumers remain relatively resilient. The drop in gasoline sales largely reflected lower pump prices during July—a trend that has since reversed as fuel prices have moved higher in August.
Treasury Yields
• 30-year Treasury: 5.243% (higher)
• 10-year Treasury: 4.657% (lower)
Mortgage Rates
• Average 30-year fixed (Freddie Mac): 6.67% (lower)
Commodities & Currency
Treasury Department
Source: U.S. Treasury Department
National Association of Realtors
Commerce Department
Retail Sales – July
Labor Department
Consumer Price Index – July
Producer Price Index
Jobless Claims (prior week)
Energy & Industry Data
Energy Information Administration
Baker Hughes Rig Count
(All data was released the week of 08/10/2026)
(All monthly statistics are seasonally adjusted unless stated otherwise).
If you have questions about the markets or your financial plan, we’re always here to help.
Loren Rex – Emeritus
Erik A Smith, AIF® – President & C.E.O.
Nicholas Acri, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Dylan Thomas, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Jack Zeeb – Wealth Advisor
These are the opinions of Loren Rex and Erik Smith and are not necessarily those of Cambridge, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice. The Indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity indexes. The Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange (more than 2500 stocks).
Sources:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WCRFPUS2&f=W
https://ir.eia.gov/ngs/ngs.html
https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
https://www.wsj.com/market-data?mod=nav_top_subsection
https://bakerhughesrigcount.gcs-web.com/na-rig-count
https://www.census.gov/economic-indicators
Gross Domestic Product | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
FactSet Earnings Insight
CPI Home : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Producer Price Index Home : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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