Pre-market briefing Pre-Market Briefing — July 8, 2026
Today at a Glance
Previous Day Recap
On the prior session, New York stocks came under pressure from a sharp selloff in semiconductors: the Nasdaq lost 1.16%, the S&P 500 fell 0.48%, and the Dow dipped 0.25. Earnings from Samsung Electronics triggered a wave of profit-taking in AI-related semiconductor names, while funds rotated into energy — supported by a surge in crude oil — and defensive healthcare names. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely known as the "fear gauge," climbed 3.6%, indicating a stronger risk-off mood in the market.
Current Market Mood
Futures for all three major indexes are down roughly 1%, extending the risk-off tone. Lingering aftershocks from the prior day's semiconductor selloff remain in play, with Nasdaq 100 futures sliding more than 1.3%, putting tech squarely in the spotlight for weakness. On top of that, investors are sitting on their hands ahead of the FOMC minutes due at 3:00 a.m. Korea time on the 9th. If a hawkish signal is confirmed in the rate-path narrative, downside pressure could intensify, so today's approach should tilt toward individual catalysts rather than broad index exposure.
Pre-Market News Roundup
Today's Events
$HELE — A beauty and household-products company; key points to watch include tariff burdens and inventory management amid softening consumer demand.
$LEVI — Earnings per share of $0.24 and revenue of $1.52 billion are expected; DTC growth and tariff impact will be decisive.
$PSMT — A warehouse-club retailer focused on Latin America; investors will be looking for signs of new-store expansion and same-store sales trends.
$AZZ — A metal coatings and electrical-equipment company; whether infrastructure-investment tailwinds persist is the key question.
Ex-Dividend
Stocks to Watch
For names to watch, it is worth keeping an eye on healthcare heavyweights that rallied the prior session. Johnson & Johnson rose 3.05%, breaking above the upper Bollinger Band, but its Relative Strength Index (RSI) has climbed to 72, entering overbought territory. Eli Lilly also advanced 2.96%, with its RSI at 68, close to overheated levels — meaning the uptrend for both names remains intact, but short-term overbought conditions are a near-term concern. On the other side, Oracle slipped 1.5%, with its RSI at 29 in oversold territory; in the wake of the tech selloff, both the rebound case and the risk of further downside for the stock warrant close attention.
Today's Action Guide
Given a session that looks set for elevated volatility, stay disciplined in your execution today — wishing you a productive trading day.
Back to ListDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
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