💼 Growth Play: Energy + Strong Results + Capital Investment Surge
25 Years — And We’re Heading to Blackberry Farm to Unplug
This fall my wife and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage. Twenty-five years. When I say it out loud, it feels both impossible and exactly right. Four kids, one dog that we swear was the last one, a house that has seen everything from science fair volcanoes to college acceptance screams, a business that has had its own ups and downs. And through it all, her.
It’s funny how anniversaries make you do math. 25 years is 9,125 days of figuring it out together. It’s late-night talks after the kids go to bed, it’s moves, it’s losses, it’s wins you never expected. It’s learning that love isn’t fireworks every day, it’s consistency. Kind of like trading, actually.
To celebrate, we’re doing something just for us. No kids, no carpool, no “Dad can I take the car.” We’re going to Blackberry Farm in Tennessee for a long weekend. Just the two of us.
If you’ve never been, Blackberry Farm is that rare place that forces you to slow down. It’s tucked into the Smoky Mountains, 4,200 acres of rolling fields, creeks, and forest. No traffic, no Slack notifications if you don’t want them, no day to day grind. My favorite way to decompress, recharge, and get ready to trade again has always been to get completely away from the screens.
We have a simple plan, which is the point. Mornings we’ll do yoga on a deck overlooking the mountains. I’m not a yoga guy in real life — my back still reminds me of my basketball league days — but up there, with the mist lifting off the fields, it makes sense. It’s the only time my mind actually gets quiet. No levels to watch, no headlines to parse. Just breathing.
Afternoons are for kayaking and fishing. There is a small creek that runs through the property with bass and trout, and I’ve already been told by my wife that I am not allowed to make it competitive. I will try. We’ll take the kayaks out, paddle slow, maybe not talk for an hour, which for us is a form of luxury. When you have four kids, silence together is a love language.
Evenings will be dinner, just us. No one asking what’s for dinner while we’re still deciding. Just good food, a glass of wine, and the kind of long conversation you can only have when you are not worried about someone needing to be picked up from camp or practice.
People ask me how I avoid burnout after years of trading. The truth is I didn’t always. I used to think more screen time was the edge. More data, more charts, more hours. What I’ve learned at 51, and what 25 years of marriage has taught me, is that the edge is often away from the screen. You can’t make good decisions when you are fried. You can’t see risk when you are exhausted. You need to step away to see clearly.
That’s what this weekend is. It’s a reset. A chance to remember why we started, both as a couple and as people who want to do hard things well for a long time. My wife has been my best risk manager. She tells me when I’m overtrading life — when I’m too in my head, too focused on the next thing. Blackberry Farm is our way of taking profit on 25 years and letting it run for the next 25.
I’ll come back recharged. I’ll miss the kids by day two, I already know. David will text me that the basketball hoop is lonely. My daughter will send a photo from the West Loop. But for three days, it will be just us, kayaks, fishing rods, yoga mats, and the mountains.
Funny enough, the market rewards the same mindset. This week reminded investors that the biggest gains rarely come from reacting to every headline—they come from staying patient, sticking to your process, and keeping the long-term picture in focus. Whether it's a 25-year marriage or a long-term investment plan, consistency almost always beats emotion. And after one of the most volatile weeks we've seen in months, that's a lesson worth remembering.
Recent Trade Review
Last week in our Daily Position Trader (DPT) service, the model identified a timely hedge opportunity in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), the ETF that tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index.
With market volatility increasing following the Federal Reserve meeting, rising Treasury yields, and mixed Big Tech earnings, adding a hedge helped manage portfolio risk rather than simply hoping the market would continue higher. That's one of the biggest advantages of following a disciplined, rules-based system—it's designed to adapt as market conditions change.
If you're a member, you received real-time SMS alerts telling you exactly when to enter and when to exit the position. That timely communication is one of the biggest differences between our paid services and the free content we provide. Markets can move quickly, and receiving actionable alerts as conditions change can make all the difference.
If you missed last Thursday's session, you can watch the full breakdown of the QQQ trade, including the reasoning behind the hedge and how we managed the position, in the Live Trading Room recording here!
Current Trading Landscape
This was one of the most eventful weeks of the year, as investors navigated a powerful mix of Federal Reserve uncertainty, blockbuster earnings, rising geopolitical tensions, and a steady stream of economic data. The market experienced sharp swings in both directions, highlighting just how sensitive investors remain to interest rates, inflation, and the outlook for artificial intelligence spending. By week's end, the long-term uptrend remained intact, but markets continued to reward selectivity over broad risk-taking.
The week's biggest catalyst came Wednesday when the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.50%–3.75% for a fifth consecutive meeting. However, the decision was far from unanimous, with three FOMC members dissenting in favor of a 25-basis-point hike, reflecting ongoing concerns that inflation—particularly energy-driven inflation—may prove more persistent than expected. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh struck a cautious tone, reinforcing that policymakers remain focused on price stability despite signs of moderating inflation. Treasury markets reacted swiftly, pushing the 30-year Treasury yield above 5.2%, while the 10-year yield continued its volatile range between roughly 4.0% and 4.8%. Higher yields triggered a broad selloff on Wednesday before buyers returned later in the week.
Corporate earnings once again reminded investors that not all AI stories are created equal. Microsoft delivered one of the strongest reports of the season, showcasing exceptional Azure cloud growth and continued evidence that its AI investments are translating into meaningful revenue. The stock posted one of its biggest single-day gains in years, helping fuel a sharp rebound across technology and semiconductor shares.
Meta painted a very different picture. Heavy AI infrastructure spending drove a significant decline in free cash flow, raising fresh concerns about how quickly massive AI investments will generate acceptable returns. Investors punished the stock, reinforcing a theme that has become increasingly important this earnings season: companies must now demonstrate profitable AI monetization rather than simply increasing AI spending. Apple and Amazon also remained in focus, with investors carefully evaluating consumer demand, cloud growth, and corporate spending trends.
Outside of technology, geopolitics remained an important macro driver. Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran kept crude oil trading above $100 per barrel, maintaining upward pressure on inflation expectations while providing relative strength for energy stocks. At the same time, newly announced 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports introduced another layer of uncertainty surrounding global trade, supply chains, and future inflation pressures.
Economic data presented a mixed but generally constructive picture. Durable goods orders rebounded, inventories continued to normalize, home prices remained resilient, and consumer confidence improved modestly. Core PCE inflation largely met expectations, while second-quarter GDP showed continued economic growth supported by consumer spending and business investment. Meanwhile, jobless claims fell to their lowest levels in decades, underscoring the continued strength of the labor market. While healthy employment remains positive for the economy, it also complicates the Federal Reserve's path toward lowering interest rates.
Looking ahead, next week's calendar remains packed with potential market-moving catalysts. Investors will closely monitor ISM Manufacturing, JOLTS Job Openings, Factory Orders, ISM Services, and Friday's closely watched Nonfarm Payrolls report for additional clues about the strength of the economy and the future path of interest rates. Earnings season also remains in full swing, with reports from AMD, Palantir, Eli Lilly, Broadcom, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, MongoDB, Lululemon, and several other influential companies that could shape sentiment across multiple sectors.
I remain firmly in the MARKET BULLISH camp. The primary risk continues to be that interest rates remain higher for longer, particularly if energy prices stay elevated and inflation proves more persistent than expected. Even so, the broader long-term trend remains intact. I continue to believe the SPY has the potential to rally toward the $760–780 range over the next several months, while $700–720 remains an important area of support. In an environment where interest rates, earnings, and geopolitical headlines can move markets in a matter of hours, disciplined risk management and patience remain just as important as identifying the right opportunities.
24 Hours Left: AI Signals and Coaching at Half Price
Okay, real talk for a second.
I remember when I first started trading. I'd stare at charts for HOURS trying to figure out if something was a good opportunity or just... noise.
Honestly? I missed so many trades because I was second-guessing everything.
That's why I'm reaching out today. With all the uncertainty around tariffs and the Fed's rate cut path, the markets are creating some really interesting opportunities—and our AI is picking up on patterns that are easy to miss when things feel chaotic.
Here's the deal:
I want to invite you to check out what we've built. It's basically everything I wish I had back then: Click here to learn more!
Sector Spotlight
After months of investors chasing AI leaders and high-growth technology stocks, this week's market reminded everyone why diversification matters. Rising Treasury yields, a divided Federal Reserve, oil above $100 per barrel, and renewed geopolitical tensions all increased market volatility, prompting investors to rotate toward sectors with more predictable earnings and resilient cash flows. Consumer staples fit that profile well.
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) offers exposure to many of the market's highest-quality defensive companies, including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Costco, PepsiCo, and Colgate-Palmolive. These businesses sell products consumers purchase regardless of whether the economy is booming or slowing, providing stability when uncertainty rises.
This week's earnings reinforced that theme. While several technology companies experienced sharp swings as investors debated whether massive AI investments will ultimately generate attractive returns, consumer staples continued demonstrating the value of consistent execution, pricing power, and dependable demand. In an environment where interest rates may remain higher for longer, companies with stable cash flow and strong balance sheets often become increasingly attractive.
I remain constructive on the broader market over the intermediate term, but I also believe investors should prepare for continued volatility as markets digest Fed policy, geopolitical developments, and the next wave of economic data. XLP offers an excellent way to reduce portfolio volatility without abandoning equity exposure altogether. Rather than betting on the next AI headline, investors gain exposure to businesses that have successfully navigated inflationary environments, recessions, and multiple market cycles.
If Treasury yields remain elevated and investors continue rotating toward quality, I believe XLP could continue outperforming while serving as a valuable defensive allocation within a diversified portfolio.
Trade of the Week: Buy Coca-Cola ($KO)
If I had to choose one stock within the consumer staples sector today, it would be The Coca-Cola Company (KO).
Coca-Cola just delivered another impressive earnings report, beating expectations, raising full-year guidance, and demonstrating that one of the world's strongest consumer brands continues to thrive despite inflation and cautious consumer spending. Revenue growth remained healthy, pricing power stayed intact, and management expressed confidence in continued earnings growth through the remainder of the year.
What stands out most is Coca-Cola's ability to perform in almost any economic environment. Whether inflation remains elevated, interest rates stay higher for longer, or economic growth slows, consumers continue purchasing its products around the world. That consistency generates reliable cash flow, supports dividend growth, and provides investors with a level of stability that has become increasingly valuable during periods of market uncertainty.
From a trading perspective, KO also offers attractive relative strength. As investors become more selective and shift toward companies with visible earnings, durable pricing power, and dependable execution, Coca-Cola checks nearly every box. While many technology stocks continue experiencing large earnings-driven swings, KO has quietly been building momentum as institutional investors rotate toward higher-quality defensive names.
With the market balancing strong economic fundamentals against higher interest rates, elevated oil prices, and geopolitical uncertainty, I believe Coca-Cola represents an attractive combination of quality, resilience, and long-term compounding potential. It may not be the market's fastest-moving stock, but in uncertain environments, consistency often outperforms excitement.
This week, I am adding The Coca-Cola Company (KO) to my portfolio.
And one more thing! Our track record speaks for itself from the standpoint of a Winning Trades Percentage, Average Return Per Trade, and Net Gain. Just take a look:
The consistent performance of our services is just incredible. My historical stellar performance is made possible by being right on 82.24% of all trades that I made, with an average profit of 39.66% per trade on our collective trade recommendations. To my knowledge, this trading performance is one-of-a-kind and stands alone in the marketplace for superior trading advice, where our numbers and results speak for themselves.
For the rest of 2026, the market is entering a more selective and demanding phase. On the surface, major indexes remain resilient, but underneath, investors are navigating a more complicated environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty, uneven megacap earnings, sticky inflation expectations, and renewed pressure from interest rates. At the same time, labor market data is beginning to soften at the edges, creating a setup where discipline, timing, and data-driven decision-making are becoming more important than broad market optimism.
This is exactly where YellowTunnel becomes essential.
In a market where leadership is narrowing and volatility can return quickly, investors need more than headlines and guesswork. YellowTunnel’s AI-powered tools are designed to help you cut through the noise, identify high-probability setups, track changing market conditions, and stay aligned with the strongest pockets of opportunity. Whether you are looking for real-time trade ideas, advanced stock and options analysis, predictive market data, or a more disciplined trading process, YellowTunnel gives you the structure and clarity needed to act with confidence.
As conditions tighten heading into Q3, the difference between reacting emotionally and following a proven, data-backed approach can be significant. Our goal is to help you stay prepared, stay selective, and stay focused on the opportunities with the strongest risk-reward potential.
Whether you are focused on short-term trades, portfolio positioning, options strategies, or improving your overall trading mindset, YellowTunnel provides the tools, insights, and guidance to help you navigate this market with greater precision.
Let’s work together to make the rest of 2026 a stronger, smarter, and more disciplined period for your portfolio. As always, successful investing begins with informed decisions, proper risk management, and a clear understanding of your personal goals and risk tolerance before entering any trade.
One more thing, I've had the opportunity to take additional action with a great organization supporting families in Ukraine directly. Gate.org is a foundation where fundraising is held for specific families, allocating funds to multiple families currently living in Ukraine. I am on the board of directors for this great initiative and encourage everyone to check it out and donate if possible. The war in Ukraine is escalating, and families are being negatively impacted and displaced daily. To learn more about this initiative to help families, please see the link below:
Wishing you a week filled with resilience, growth, and prosperous opportunities!