Stock Market Today, July 14: Growth Stocks Rally as Inflation Cools to 3.5%, Equaling 2020 Lows

U.S. stock markets rallied on July 14, 2026, as inflation cooled to 3.5%, matching 2020 lows and boosting growth stocks. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.06%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.49%. IBM plunged 24% on earnings concerns, while CleanSpark and Tower Semiconductor surged on major infrastructure and expansion announcements. Banking stocks showed mixed results as earnings season began.

07/14/2026, 2:27 PM • The Motley Fool

S&P 500 Earnings Growth Remains Narrow as Energy and Technology Lead

S&P 500 earnings season shows strong performance with major banks beating expectations, though IBM missed due to data center competition. Energy, technology, and semiconductors are leading earnings growth. Positive analyst revisions suggest stronger underlying earnings ahead. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing reported record June sales of $13.99 billion, signaling strong AI and semiconductor momentum. Cooling inflation data with June CPI declining 0.4% reduces Fed rate hike expectations.

07/14/2026, 2:21 PM • Investing

Major US Banks, ASML, and TSMC: EX DeFi Focuses on Earnings Season, AI Boom Faces Key Investment Test

As Q2 earnings season begins, major US banks and AI industry leaders like ASML and TSMC are under investor scrutiny. While banks are expected to benefit from higher interest rates and capital market recovery, high valuations in the semiconductor and AI sectors raise questions about whether future performance can meet market expectations. The earnings reports will be crucial indicators of the AI boom's sustainability and will influence global capital markets and digital asset markets.

07/14/2026, 1:28 PM • GlobeNewswire

S&P 500 Rally Tests Whether Softer Inflation Can Offset Oil Risks

U.S. stocks are set to open higher after June inflation came in cooler than expected at 3.5% year-on-year, easing Fed tightening concerns. However, rising oil prices due to U.S.-Iran tensions and reduced Strait of Hormuz shipping activity could complicate the inflation outlook. IBM tumbled 19% after missing revenue forecasts due to a shift in enterprise spending toward hardware, while JPMorgan beat earnings expectations with strong trading and investment banking revenues.

07/14/2026, 9:34 AM • Investing

Which High-Yield ETF Is a Better Buy in 2026: Vanguard VYM vs iShares HDV?

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) are compared as income-focused investment options. VYM offers broader diversification with 605 stocks and a lower 0.04% expense ratio, while HDV provides a more concentrated portfolio of 75 defensive stocks with a higher 2.8% dividend yield. Both ETFs are suitable for dividend investors, with VYM better for growth-oriented income seekers and HDV for those preferring defensive positioning.

07/14/2026, 9:04 AM • The Motley Fool

IAT vs. IYF: Which iShares Financial ETF Is the Better Buy?

The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) offers higher dividend yield (2.6%) but greater volatility with a 55% maximum drawdown, while the iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) provides broader diversification across banks, insurers, and asset managers with lower volatility (25% max drawdown). Both charge identical 0.38% expense ratios, making the choice dependent on investor risk tolerance and income preferences.

07/14/2026, 6:24 AM • The Motley Fool

2 Reasons Why Higher Oil Prices Are Good for Banks and 1 Reason They Are a Problem

Middle East tensions are driving higher oil prices, which could force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. This benefits banks like Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase because they can increase loan rates faster than deposit rates, boosting net interest income. However, excessive rate hikes risk triggering a recession, which would increase loan defaults and pressure bank profits.

07/14/2026, 5:28 AM • The Motley Fool

5 of America's Biggest Banks Report Q2 Earnings Tuesday. Here's What Wall Street Is Watching.

Five major U.S. banks—JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America—report Q2 earnings on Tuesday. With the Federal Reserve maintaining elevated interest rates, net interest income (NII) is the key metric to watch. Investors should also monitor credit-loss provisions to assess consumer health and investment banking activity for signs of broader market recovery.

07/13/2026, 3:37 AM • The Motley Fool

JPMorgan, Citibank Earnings Preview: Buybacks, Capital Return in Focus

JPMorgan and Citigroup are set to report Q2 2026 earnings on July 14th. JPMorgan is expected to deliver solid results with 29% EPS growth and 12% revenue growth, supported by strong capital markets activity and aggressive share buybacks. Citigroup is anticipated to report 40% EPS growth and 10% revenue growth. Both banks show healthy credit conditions and significant capital return programs, though analyst concerns persist about the sustainability of capital markets tailwinds.

07/13/2026, 3:06 AM • Investing

Holtec Nuclear Corporation Announces Public Filing of Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering

Holtec Nuclear Corporation has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol 'HNUC'. The company, headquartered in Camden, N.J., is a multinational technology company focused on nuclear power generation and clean energy solutions, including the development of the SMR-300 advanced small modular reactor and the refurbishment of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan.

07/10/2026, 6:45 PM • GlobeNewswire

Here's Why This Unstoppable Vanguard ETF Could Be a Great Buy With AI Stocks Pulling Back

As AI stocks correct and semiconductor sector concerns mount, the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) offers a diversified alternative with only 13% tech exposure. The ETF has delivered steady 9.6% annual returns since 2004, higher dividend yields (1.9%), and better downside protection during market volatility compared to the S&P 500.

07/09/2026, 4:23 AM • The Motley Fool

Goldman Sachs vs. Interactive Brokers: Which Financial Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Goldman Sachs and Interactive Brokers represent two different approaches to financial services. Goldman Sachs dominates institutional finance with $3.6 trillion in assets under supervision and a 29.5% net margin, but carries significant debt (4.9x debt-to-equity) and negative free cash flow. Interactive Brokers operates a highly automated platform serving 5 million accounts with 70% net margin, zero debt, and $15.7 billion in free cash flow. The choice depends on investment goals: Goldman Sachs offers stability and capital preservation, while Interactive Brokers provides growth potential through technology-driven innovation.

07/08/2026, 8:07 AM • The Motley Fool

Why Bank of America Stock Jumped in June

Bank of America's stock surged over 10% in June following its successful passage of the Federal Reserve's 2026 stress tests, which typically lead to dividend increases. The bank also announced a new cross-border real-time payments product for P2P and B2C transfers, addressing growing market demand. Two analysts subsequently raised their price targets on the stock.

07/08/2026, 5:13 AM • The Motley Fool

KEPPT appoints J.P. Morgan to arrange financing of its strategic US$1.6bn urea plant in Iraq

KEPPT has engaged J.P. Morgan to arrange development financing for a $1.6 billion urea plant in Basra, Iraq. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 1.15 million tonnes and is expected to commence operations in 2030, reducing Iraq's urea imports and supporting the agricultural sector.

07/07/2026, 5:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

KEPPT appoints J.P. Morgan to arrange financing of its strategic US$1.6bn urea plant in Iraq

KEPPT has engaged J.P. Morgan to arrange development financing for a landmark $1.6 billion urea plant in Basra, Iraq. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 1.15 million tonnes and is expected to commence operations in 2030, reducing Iraq's reliance on imported urea and supporting the agricultural sector.

07/07/2026, 5:00 AM • GlobeNewswire