Iran ceasefire deadline Wednesday sent Brent crude surging toward $100 (S&P 500 -0.63%). Apple dropped a bombshell — Tim Cook stepping down, John Ternus in as CEO September 1 (AAPL -2.52%). Amazon’s $25B Anthropic deal is the largest AI infrastructure bet yet (AMZN +2.2%). Retail sales surged 1.7% but record gas station receipts flattered the number, crushing rate-cut hopes. UNH beat big (+6.96%); GE Aerospace sold off despite a 25% EPS beat (GE -5.56%).
MIB: Iran Deadline, Apple CEO Transition, and Record Retail Sales Crush Rate-Cut Hopes
MIB: Iranian Tanker Seizure, Fed Chair Hearing, and the $166B Tariff Refund Portal Open for Claims
US Navy seized Iranian tanker Touska in Gulf of Oman, spiking WTI +4.35% and snapping the Nasdaq’s historic 13-session streak. Russell 2000 hit a record close (+0.58%) as small-caps diverged sharply from mega-cap tech. Fed chair nominee Warsh faces Senate grilling Tuesday — Sen. Tillis blocks vote as Powell’s May 15 term looms. CBP opened a $166B tariff refund portal (IEEPA duties ruled unconstitutional). Amazon commits $25B more to Anthropic in 2026’s largest AI infrastructure deal.
MIB: Iran Day 11 — False Hormuz Tweet, Oracle AI Blowout, and Tomorrow’s Defining CPI Print
Iran Day 11: US launches “most intense strikes”; Iran attacks all 6 GCC nations. Energy Sec. Wright’s false Hormuz tweet sparked a $30 intraday oil crash — White House retracted in minutes. WTI settled -6.3% at $88.85; S&P seesawed -1.5% to +0.8% before closing -0.21%. Gold hit a new record at $5,211/oz (+2%). Oracle blows out Q3 AMC: Rev +22%, $553B RPO (+325% YoY). February CPI due tomorrow 8:30 AM — market-defining print.
