Day Trade Cheat Sheet - August 08, 2026 (Morning)

 ## MARKET MOOD: MIXED Overnight sentiment was mixed as weak U.S. jobs data showing a 23K payroll decline contrasted with optimism around AI investments and strong earnings from select tech and healthcare names. Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and cautious corporate guidance also kept markets on edge. ## TOP 5 HEADLINES 1. Berkshire Hathaway beats earnings views, ups buybacks, cuts cash hoard → Impact: Boosts confidence in blue-chip stocks and buyback-driven rallies. 2. U.S. jobs report shows 23K jobs lost in July, worse than expected → Impact: Raises recession concerns but supports a dovish Fed stance. 3. Apple enables Mac users in China to connect to Alibaba’s Qwen AI service → Impact: Highlights AI adoption and cross-border tech collaboration. 4. Natera shares jump 20.5% after strong Q2 results and raised FY26 sales guidance → Impact: Positive catalyst for healthcare and diagnostics sectors. 5. Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but will not open waterway by itself → Impact: Maintains geopolitical risk premium on energy and defense stocks. ## PRE-MARKET MOVERS ### Longs (Bullish Catalysts) **$BRK.B** - Strong earnings beat, increased buybacks, reduced cash pile **$NTRA** - Q2 beat and raised sales guidance **$AAPL** - Expansion of AI service access in China **$PLTR** - Continued investor buzz around AI and data analytics **$MRVL** - Positive sentiment from AI chip demand and analyst coverage ### Shorts (Bearish Catalysts) **$QSR** - Lowered price target due to decaying sales and leveraged balance sheet **$WENDY** - Significant traffic declines impacting fundamentals **$SPCX** - Retail investor enthusiasm may be peaking, caution advised **$HTZ** - Mixed sentiment despite retail buzz, fundamentals unclear ## INDEX BIAS **SPY:** NEUTRAL - Mixed economic data and earnings create uncertainty, but buybacks and AI optimism provide support. **QQQ:** BULLISH - Tech and AI-related names show strength, supported by earnings beats and new AI service rollouts. **IWM:** BEARISH - Small caps face pressure from weak jobs data and geopolitical risks, with less exposure to AI tailwinds. ## SECTORS **Favor:** Technology - Earnings beats, AI adoption, and buybacks drive momentum. **Avoid:** Consumer Discretionary - Traffic declines and sales pressure in restaurant and retail names weigh on sector. ## CATALYST WATCH - 08:30 AM ET: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims (weekly update) - 10:00 AM ET: JOLTS Job Openings report - Earnings: Berkshire Hathaway, Natera, Xaar plc, Swire Properties, Portillo’s ## BOTTOM LINE **Today's Play:** Selective Markets remain in a tug-of-war between weak labor data fueling recession fears and strong corporate earnings plus AI-driven optimism. Focus on high-quality tech and healthcare stocks showing earnings strength and buyback activity. Avoid discretionary names facing operational headwinds. Geopolitical risks in the Middle East add a layer of caution, especially for energy and defense sectors. Traders should be selective, capitalizing on clear earnings catalysts and AI momentum while managing risk around economic uncertainty.