Markets
Market Pulse
Post-Close Edition · Friday, July 31, 2026
S&P 500 up 0.72% at month-end as yen surge reshapes the session Small-caps slip, gold drops 1.49%, and Fear & Greed sits at 42 — the rally has cracks.
The Daily Digest
- 01S&P 500 up 0.72% as large-caps hold gains into month-end close
- 02Russell 2000 slips 0.48% — small-caps diverge as risk appetite stays selective
- 03USD/JPY drops 1.66% to 160.24, yen surges on Bank of Japan policy speculation
- 04Dollar Index softens 0.33% to 100.35 as yen strength pulls greenback lower
- 05Long-end Treasuries sell off, TLT down 0.66% as yields push higher
- 06Crude oil up 1.33% on supply concerns, energy sector leads with a 1% gain
- 07Gold down 1.49% and silver off 2.13% — precious metals retreat as risk-on equities draw flows
- 08Bitcoin falls 2.71% to $62,947, Ethereum drops 3.10% to $1,861 — crypto broadly under pressure
- 09CNN Fear & Greed Index sits at 42 — Fear territory, even as equities close green
Top Movers
What If?
If you had put $1,000 into Short 20Y yesterday, you'd have $1,013.40 today.
The Big Picture
The session's defining move wasn't in stocks — it was the yen. USD/JPY dropped 1.66% to 160.24 as Bank of Japan policy speculation intensified, pulling the Dollar Index down 0.33% to 100.35. A weaker dollar gave large-caps room to run, with the S&P 500 closing up 0.72% into month-end. Classic window dressing — fund managers tidying up portfolios for the July close. The split underneath the surface tells the real story. Small-caps (Russell 2000) slipped 0.48% while large-caps held green — risk appetite exists, but it's picky. Energy led sectors up 1% as crude gained 1.33% on supply concerns. Long-dated Treasuries sold off, with TLT down 0.66%, meaning yields pushed higher — not the backdrop that helps rate-sensitive names. Gold fell 1.49%, silver 2.13%, and crypto got hit hard, with Bitcoin dropping 2.71% to $62,947. The CNN Fear & Greed Index sitting at 42 — Fear — while equities close green is worth watching. That disconnect usually resolves one way or the other, and the yen move adds a wildcard: if the Bank of Japan actually tightens, the ripple through global markets will be significant. This is not financial advice. Acid Capitalist is a financial news and commentary site — not a registered financial adviser. Always do your own research.Fear & Greed Index
42Fear
0255075100
Market Overview
| Indices | ||
| S&P 500 | 747.03 | +0.72% |
| Nasdaq 100 | 687.99 | +0.65% |
| Dow Jones | 524.32 | +0.54% |
| Russell 2000 | 291.20 | -0.48% |
| Crypto | ||
| Bitcoin | 62,947.00 | -2.71% |
| Ethereum | 1,861.01 | -3.10% |
| Solana | 72.95 | -1.94% |
| XRP | 1.06 | -2.01% |
| Cardano | 0.17 | -0.98% |
| Commodities | ||
| Natural Gas | 10.06 | +0.50% |
| Silver | 52.36 | -2.13% |
| Gold | 371.54 | -1.49% |
| Crude Oil | 129.17 | +1.33% |
| Bonds & Rates | ||
| 20Y Treasury | 82.25% | -0.66% |
| 1-3Y Treasury | 82.00% | -0.01% |
| Short 20Y | 38.45% | +1.34% |
| Forex | ||
| EUR/USD | 1.15 | +0.08% |
| USD/JPY | 160.24 | -1.66% |
| GBP/USD | 1.34 | +0.25% |
| Dollar Index | 100.35 | -0.33% |
| Sectors | ||
| Energy | 59.55 | +1.00% |
| Healthcare | 162.55 | -0.59% |
| Technology | 175.35 | -0.22% |
| Utilities | 44.35 | -0.69% |
| Financials | 56.94 | -0.11% |
| Volatility | ||
| VIX | 20.51 | -2.66% |