Trade Setup

Published on August 12, 2026 at 10:52β€―AM

πŸ“Š Today's Trade Setup

U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning, snapping a two-day losing streak. The bullish rotation is driven by a highly anticipated, in-line July CPI inflation report and an aggressive resurgence in high-beta artificial intelligence infrastructure names.

πŸ”Ž Pre-Market Macro Catalyst

  • The Sweet-Spot CPI: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported headline July CPI at +0.1% Month-over-Month and +3.4% Year-over-Year. Core CPI registered at +0.2% MoM (+2.5% YoY). Because the data completely matched Wall Street estimates, macro traders quickly cut bets on a September Federal Reserve rate hike, triggering an immediate risk-on pop. 
  • German Inflation Anchor: Germany's final EU-Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) locked in at +2.8% YoY. While this reflects a jump from June due to escalating Middle East energy tax anomalies, core inflation actually ticked lower to 2.4%. This limits immediate hawkish European Central Bank escalation, removing a potential headwind for global equities. 
  • Treasury Yield Cool Down: The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield pulled back from yesterday's highs to trade at 4.67%. This structural easing in yields has instantly removed selling pressure from large-cap tech. 

πŸ“ˆ Major Index & Sector Levels

  • S&P 500 Futures (.ES00): Advanced 0.30% to 7,769.50, effectively recouping a portion of yesterday's technology-led drawdown.
  • Nasdaq-100 Futures: Jumped 0.59% to spearhead the morning session.
  • Tech Infrastructure Momentum: AI hardware and cloud names are experiencing heavily concentrated flows. CoreWeave (CRWV) spiked 18% following an exceptional Q3 sales projection. Super Micro Computer (SMCI) rallied 8% on an upgraded forward revenue outlook.
  • Energy and Commodities: WTI Crude is holding stubbornly above $83 per barrel as active Middle East tensions—specifically geopolitical risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz—offset cooling broad demand. Concurrently, Gold Futures rose roughly 1% to touch $4,475 an ounce, capitalizing on a softer U.S. Dollar post-CPI. 

πŸ’‘ Strategy & Execution Note

  • The Trend: Today's setup favors buying tech and growth-oriented dips as long as equity index futures sustain their post-open boundaries.
  • Next Risk Boundary: Be aware that the July Producer Price Index (PPI) drops tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Institutional desks are treating today's CPI as a partial sigh of relief, but wholesale inflation prints could easily redefine the macro trend heading into the weekend. 

πŸͺ™ Digital Assets & Bitcoin (BTC)

  • Bitcoin Consolidation: Bitcoin is currently printing at $63,500. The premier cryptocurrency saw a modest bounce alongside traditional risk assets following the cooling CPI numbers but remains locked in a short-term consolidation pattern between $63,200 and $64,400.
  • Options Expiry Target: Traders are heavily monitoring institutional volume positioning ahead of the massive $8:00 UTC Friday options expiry on Deribit. 

πŸ“ˆ Strive Inc. (NASDAQ: ASST) Trade Setup

As a high-beta, Bitcoin-treasury-backed stock, Strive Inc. (ASST) is heavily in focus today as equity and crypto market risk-appetite returns. 

  • Live Price Action: ASST opened higher at $12.86 but has pulled back slightly in early trading, currently printing at $12.49 (down 1.03%). 
  • Catalyst (HC Wainwright PT Adjustment): Early this morning, analysts at HC Wainwright & Co. adjusted their price target for ASST from $37.00 down to $36.00. Crucially, they maintained their highly conviction-backed Buy rating, noting that the target still implies a staggering ~185% upside from current depressed levels. 
  • Fundamental Backstop: The company recently confirmed it crossed the massive 20,000 BTC threshold in total treasury assets, bolstered by its latest 147 Bitcoin purchase between August 3 and August 7. Its balance sheet holds zero debt and over $200 million in liquidity, providing a strong safety buffer. 
  • The Trade Mechanics:
    • The Bull Case: Momentum traders are treating ASST as a coiled spring. The stock has surged 63.9% over the past six months but remains down 84.7% over the last year. Heavy options volume is skewing aggressively toward call options. If Bitcoin breaks above its $64,500 resistance block, ASST could experience a rapid short squeeze given its historical volatility.
    • The Bear Risk: Bears are zeroing in on a structural headwind: Strive's unique "SATA" perpetual preferred stock dividend obligations cost the firm $102 million annually. With $155 million in immediate cash, critics worry the firm may eventually have to liquidate a portion of its Bitcoin treasury if profitability fails to turn around soon. 

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