Small Caps Jump 22% in H1 2026, Beating S&P 500 and Nasdaq
July 9, 2026, 4:46 AM EDT. U.S. small-cap stocks booked a 22% gain in the first half, their strongest H1 run since 1991, said Charlie Bilello, Chief Market Strategist at Creative Planning. The Russell 2000 Index finished up more than 22%, ahead of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq by over 12%. All 11 sectors in the Russell 2000 were positive, with technology out front, according to Franklin Templeton. Small and micro-caps pushed forward in Q2 2026, even as markets watched inflation and geopolitical news. Analysts point to valuations and earnings as still driving small-cap strength. ETFs such as SPY, QQQ, DIA, and IWM traded higher on the day with sentiment staying mixed.
Small Caps Posted Their Best First Half Si…
SAP Upgraded to Strong Buy on Cloud Gains
July 9, 2026, 4:45 AM EDT. SAP’s cloud business sped up with cloud revenue up 27%. The backlog is growing, showing more demand for SAP’s cloud tools. Analysts now call SAP a Strong Buy as it pushes further away from legacy software into cloud. That shift is key for SAP’s earnings outlook and place in the software market.
SAP's Transformation Is Game-Changing
Pason Systems (TSE:PSI) slips under 200-day average after insider sales
July 9, 2026, 4:44 AM EDT. Pason Systems Inc. (TSE:PSI) traded down through its 200-day moving average of C$12.97, hitting C$12.63. Q1 earnings came in at C$0.17 a share on revenue of C$102.44 million. Analysts still have an average ‘Buy’ call on the name and a C$15.12 target. The stock pays a 4.0% dividend, with a payout ratio at 86.67%. In May, insiders Ryan Van Beurden and Russell Smith cut their stakes by more than 57%. Pason trades at 21.62 times earnings and carries a C$1.01 billion market cap. The 50-day average is C$13.65. Traders are watching to see if the stock can rebound after losing this chart level.
Pason Systems (TSE:PSI) Stock Price Passes…
Oil slips as U.S. hits Iran and Strait of Hormuz risk rises
July 9, 2026, 4:43 AM EDT.Oil prices fell Thursday as the market weighed new U.S. military strikes on Iran and fresh worries about the Strait of Hormuz, the key artery for global crude. Brent crude lost 1.32% to $76.99 a barrel and U.S. WTI slipped 1.2% to $72.64. The U.S. strikes followed Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, after President Donald Trump said an interim ceasefire with Iran was “over.” Traders stayed on edge over possible disruptions to oil through the Strait. Goldman Sachs pointed to risks that could ease or get worse for Gulf shipments by end-July. Insurance sources said heightened war risk is leading some shippers to rethink sending vessels through the area.
Oil prices fell as markets weigh impact of…
US stock futures slip as yields climb, inflation jitters build before earnings
July 9, 2026, 4:42 AM EDT.U.S. stock futures moved lower, with E-mini S&P 500 contracts off 0.8%, tracking Treasury yields up near 4.58%, a four-week high. Bond yields at these levels raise borrowing costs for homes, cars, and businesses. Inflation is still a worry-one-year U.S. inflation expectations hold at 3.7%, while falling crude stockpiles are stirring fuel price concerns. Sectors hit hardest by rates, like real estate, banks, and small caps, remain exposed. Focus shifts to Q2 earnings from PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines, expected to give a read on consumer demand and spending pressure. Some strategists say look for stocks built to weather these swings and tighter spending.
US Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Futures Fal…
Megaport (ASX: MP1) RSUs Lapse After Vesting Terms Not Met
July 9, 2026, 4:32 AM EDT. Megaport said 63,445 restricted stock units expired after failing to meet vesting hurdles by June 30, 2026. The company noted the lapse changes its issued capital but does not affect operations. The RSU lapse impacts compensation plans for employees and executives, showing how performance-based incentives depend on conditions being met. Megaport, focused on cloud connectivity and software-defined networking, still holds a Buy rating and an A$22.80 price target from analysts. Market cap is A$4.44 billion and average daily trading volume sits above 2.1 million shares.
Megaport Reports Lapse of Restricted Stock…
Binance Stays in EU Talks, Seeks Asian Licences as Crypto Volatility Hits
July 9, 2026, 4:31 AM EDT. Binance is still talking to EU regulators about its MiCA licence, even after pulling out in Greece, Co-CEO Richard Teng said. The crypto exchange is now going for permits in other EU countries, aiming to keep services running for its users. Binance is also pushing hard in Asia, most recently signing a partnership in the Philippines. Crypto markets remain volatile in 2024 with Bitcoin off nearly 30% this year. Teng said institutional demand is picking up, which could shift the next cycle away from being just retail-driven.
Binance maintains commitment to EU, seekin…
Big Tech Picks Up Steam as Chip Stocks Cool After Samsung Q2 Miss
July 9, 2026, 4:30 AM EDT.Big Tech stocks like Nvidia and Microsoft are leading in July, while chip and memory names lose ground after Samsung’s Q2 beat triggered selling. Samsung projected double the revenue and a 19x jump in profit, but shares slid and pressured rivals. That sparked more money moving out of chipmakers such as Intel, SanDisk and Micron and back toward tech, energy, materials and finance. Nvidia and Microsoft are getting top billing from analysts among the ‘Magnificent Seven’ thanks to what they see as solid forward P/E multiples and room to run. Bank of America kept its Nvidia target at $350. Traders see the move as a bet on steady growth from big tech even as the rest of the market stays choppy.
Is This The Big Tech Resurgence Investors …
Friedman Rides HRC Steel Rally But Flags Durability Risk
July 9, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT. Analyst Friedman is leaning into the HRC steel uptrend, but tells investors to look past short-term price swings, focusing on longer-run company earnings and industry structure. He calls for a buy-and-hold approach and says most names don’t make the cut, with only a handful rated buys after his due diligence. Even with momentum strong in steel, Friedman warns the upcycle may not last. These are his opinions, not investment advice-he says talk to a licensed pro before making any move.
Friedman Is Riding The HRC Upcycle, But Is…
HubSpot (HUBS) sinks 46.8% in 6 months as Q1 shows mixed outlook
July 9, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT. HubSpot NYSE:HUBS has fallen 46.8% over the past six months, last trading at $197.58 after Q1 results drew a mixed response. Billings climbed 22.3% year-over-year to $912.3 million, pointing to steady demand and stronger cash flow. Gross margin is still high at 83.7%, down a bit versus two years ago-still showing an efficient and asset-light setup. Rising expenses, including more stock-based comp, have tightened margins and weighed on profits. The stock now sits at a crossroads for buy, hold, or sell calls.
HubSpot (HUBS): Buy, Sell, or Hold Post Q1…
iShares EM Debt Data Update; ASX Upgrades Boost Energy, REITs; Pressure on CGI, FirstService
July 9, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT.iShares II JPM$ EM $ posted new disclosure on its use of copyrighted data for tracking emerging market debt. On the ASX, broker upgrades helped push energy and REIT stocks higher, even as the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.5%. Santos Ltd and Woodside Energy each gained almost 2%, but miners and banks showed mixed action. CGI Inc shares in Canada dropped through the 200-day moving average after analysts cut targets, though the consensus stayed at moderate buy. FirstService Co. also lost ground below its 200-day average after a TD Securities target cut, but it kept a buy call. FirstService delivered good earnings and added insider buying, but shares remained weak.
Stock Market Today: Live Updates 09.07.202…
iShares II JPM$ EM $ REG Filing covers copyright, data use
July 9, 2026, 4:15 AM EDT. iShares II JPM$ EM $ released a filing detailing its use of data from ICE Data Services and FactSet, with other contributions from American Bankers Association and Quartr for filings. The fund notes copyright and database rights, saying compliance and data accuracy matter for investors watching its emerging market debt lineup.
ASX Boosts for Energy, REITs After Broker Upgrades
July 9, 2026, 4:13 AM EDT. ASX stocks in energy, mining, financials and REITs grabbed attention after brokerages lifted ratings this week. The S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.5% to 8,744, but Santos Ltd picked up 1.8% and Woodside Energy added 1.9% following new calls from Morgan Stanley. IGO Ltd and Sandfire Resources got upgraded to ‘Hold’, with share moves mixed. Netwealth Group was raised to ‘Buy’ with brokers pointing to a 10% upside, and REITs HomeCo Daily Needs plus Waypoint REIT were both upgraded by Morgans. Brokers cited differences in fundamentals, showing a mixed read on sector strength.
Brokerages Upgrade Multiple ASX Stocks, wi…
CGI Inc (TSE:GIB.A) slips under 200-day average as analysts trim targets
July 9, 2026, 4:12 AM EDT. CGI Inc shares fell below the 200-day moving average to C$93.93 on Wednesday. Analysts have moved ratings lower lately: Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded the stock to “sector perform” and cut its target to C$100. BMO Capital Markets, Scotia, and Canaccord Genuity also dropped their targets. Desjardins kept its “buy” call and stuck with a C$149 target. CGI, which holds a C$19.67 billion market cap, posted Q1 earnings at C$2.27 a share on C$4.16 billion in revenue. The company announced a quarterly dividend with a 0.7% yield. The consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” and the price target average is C$126.31. Sentiment is mixed as the stock comes down.
CGI (TSE:GIB.A) Stock Price Passes Below 2…
FirstService (FSV) Shares Slip Under 200-Day Moving Average as TD Securities Cuts Price Target
July 9, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT. FirstService Co. (TSE:FSV) stock dropped below its 200-day moving average of C$201.80 on Wednesday, hitting an intraday low at C$198.41. Shares settled at C$200.75 on volume of 78,625. TD Securities trimmed its price target to C$201 from C$217 but kept its ‘buy’ call. The consensus rating stays at ‘Buy’ with an average target of C$209. FirstService’s market cap is at C$9.23 billion, with a P/E ratio at 56.55 and a beta of 0.79. Quarterly earnings per share came in at C$1.32 on C$1.83 billion in revenue. Insider buying rose 36.49% even as the stock pulled back. FirstService runs residential and property services businesses.
FirstService (TSE:FSV) Stock Price Crosses…
RC365 Holding PLC gets $2m credit line, raises £750,000 in share placing
July 9, 2026, 4:06 AM EDT. RC365 Holding PLC said it secured a $2 million interest-free standby credit facility from CEO and major shareholder Chi Kit Law. The 24-month, unsecured credit line comes with no fees. The fintech group also raised £750,000 via a new share placing. RC365 said it will use the funds for platform development, new revenue streams, and general corporate needs. The CEO cited the RC3.0 platform launch and said the move shows confidence in the group’s strategy. RC365 said its financial footing is stronger as it targets growth in fintech.
REG – RC365 Holding PLC – Placing & $2m Cr…
Australian shares drop for fourth day as Iran risks and IMF cut weigh
July 9, 2026, 4:05 AM EDT. Australian shares fell again, with miners and banks among the biggest drags as U.S.-Iran tension sent oil prices higher. Rising geopolitical risk left investors wary and hurt demand for riskier plays. The IMF trimmed global growth forecasts, feeding nerves in the market. The S&P/ASX 200 index posted widespread losses as investors stayed cautious with so much uncertainty outside Australia. The hit from higher oil and weak growth outlook is putting extra strain on the big sectors, leaving market sentiment fragile in the region.
Australian shares fall for fourth day as I…
Kenya Looks at Opening NSE to Sacco Listings
July 9, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT. Kenya is pushing ahead with proposals to let Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos) list shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Saccos are blocked from listing now because they aren’t incorporated as companies under the Companies Act. The planned reforms would let these cooperatives access the public equity market, as officials seek to boost investment options and deepen the local capital market.
Kenya’s plan to list Sacco shares gathers …
QXO Slides on Regulatory Probe, 55% Valuation Gap in Focus
July 9, 2026, 4:03 AM EDT. QXO shares fell hard after news of a regulatory probe, losing 11.4% in a week and down almost 31% in the last three months. Still, some analysts say the stock trades at a 55.4% discount, with fair value at $32.87 and last close at $14.66. QXO has grown fast as a building products distributor, picking up firms like Beacon Roofing Supply and Kodiak Building Partners and hitting over $1 billion EBITDA run-rate in 10 months. Market debate centers on its complicated capital structure and whether it can deliver on AI and M&A plans-risks bulls may overlook. Investors are told to weigh those risks and growth bets as volatility and scrutiny remain high.
QXO (QXO) Faces Regulatory Scrutiny, Is Th…
Beginner's Guide: Where to Buy Shares and Open an Investment Account
July 9, 2026, 4:02 AM EDT. This guide looks at main account types for buying shares. A Stocks and Shares ISA gives tax-free gains and income up to £20,000 a year. Most UK investors use it for tax efficiency. With a Share Dealing Account, there are no limits, but gains above £3,000 and dividends above £500 are taxed. That fits investors over the ISA limit. A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is set up for long-term retirement savings with tax relief up to 45%, tax-free growth inside the SIPP, but the money is locked until at least 57-or 58 from 2028.
How to buy shares:a beginner's guide
Carlisle (CSL), Martin Marietta shares slump as higher costs, inflation worries weigh
July 9, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT.Carlisle (CSL) and Martin Marietta Materials shares dropped as investors grew nervous about costs and global risks. Oil jumped and Treasury yields moved up after President Trump talked tough on Iran, squeezing companies that depend on heavy energy use and steady construction demand. Higher 10-year yields also put pressure on mortgage rates, raising questions around infrastructure financing. Carlisle slid harder after Truist Securities cut its price target to $340 from $360, warning about supply chain problems and costly petrochemicals hurting profits through 2026. Price hikes aren’t keeping up with cost increases, hitting margins. Carlisle is down 23.8% from its 52-week high and flat on the year, showing ongoing concerns around inflation and geopolitical issues.
