Jumping ship, not buying the dip – Retail investors recorded their largest single day of net selling in individual stocks since the COVID-19 market crash, selling a net $213 million in stocks on July 28. A whopping 88% of that selling was concentrated in four memory-chip names. Individual investors have been net sellers of single stocks nine days this year, compared to zero days in 2024 and 2025. (Source: MarketWatch)

Magic 8 ball says: ask again later – The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for a seventh consecutive month, extending its pause while policymakers assess the outlook for inflation and economic growth. The decision wasn't unanimous, however, as three officials voted in favor of a rate hike—the first three-member dissent since 2016. (Source: CNBC)

Okay, who invited 2007? – Long-term Treasury yields recently climbed to their highest levels since around 2007 as investors weighed the risk that inflation could remain elevated. One source of concern is energy prices: Brent crude oil continues to trade roughly $15 per barrel above pre-conflict levels following tensions involving Iran, raising the possibility of higher costs rippling through the economy. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Under promise, over deliver – Early results for Q2 earnings season have handily beaten expectations, with analysts now expecting a near 40% year-over-year growth rate for the quarter. With just over a quarter of S&P 500 Index companies reporting so far, 86% of those companies have reported a positive earnings-per-share surprise. (Source: FactSet)

Now, where exactly does one display a dino bone? – The AI boom is creating more than just billion-dollar companies; it's also helping fuel a frenzy for collectibles. Auction houses generated nearly $10 billion in sales during the first half of the year as newly wealthy tech investors snapped up everything from rare watches and classic art to a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil that sold for a record $50.1 million. (Source: CNBC)

Just when the last guy finally learned the admin’s name – Britain's political revolving door spun again this month as Andy Burnham became the country's seventh prime minister in just 10 years. The former mayor of Greater Manchester takes office facing many of the same challenges that tripped up his predecessors, including sluggish economic growth, a cost-of-living crunch, and strained public services. (Source: AP News) 

Robbing Peter to pay Paul – More than a quarter of survey respondents say they’ve reduced contributions to their retirement plan, especially in the past two years. About a third said they have more credit-card debt than retirement savings, and about a quarter have borrowed money from their retirement accounts to pay down credit-card debt. (Source: Ignites) 

Lettuce sit this one out – The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce has led consumers to avoid certain restaurant chains and curb lettuce purchases: Foot traffic has fallen at chains such as Taco Bell (-20.8%) and Chopt (-12.2%), while fresh lettuce sales declined 19% over a two-week period as shoppers pulled back on leafy greens amid uncertainty over the source of infections. (Source: Reuters) 

From parchment to popcorn – Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has become one of the biggest movie events of the year, generating an estimated $124.5 million domestically and $264.1 million worldwide in its opening weekend. Despite previous hits, it’s Nolan’s largest global debut ever. Premium-screen demand played a major role, with IMAX contributing nearly $30 million domestically and about $52 million globally. (Source: CNBC)

King James pricing – LeBron James hasn't played a game for the 76ers yet, but his arrival is already impacting Philadelphia sports fans: The cheapest resale tickets for the Sixers' preseason opener jumped more than 300% to $283 after his signing was announced in late July. (Source: Philly Voice)