The markets wrapped up August with a tale ofĀ two very different storiesĀ - while the headline indices posted solid gains for theirĀ fourth consecutive winning month, the real action happened beneath the surface.
Small-cap stocks exploded higher, theĀ AI darling Nvidia stumbled despite beating expectations, and President Trump's unprecedentedĀ firing of Fed Governor Lisa CookĀ sent shockwaves through Washington. As we head into September - historically the market'sĀ worst monthĀ - investors are grappling with shifting Fed policy, rotation dynamics, and stretched valuations.
š°Ā What's Happening
The Small-Cap Renaissance
August delivered aĀ historic performance divergenceĀ that few saw coming. While theĀ Nasdaq 100 managed just 1.5% gains, theĀ Russell 2000 small-cap index surged 7.3%Ā - marking one of theĀ most dramatic monthly outperformances since 1985. Interest rate-sensitive small caps benefited fromĀ Fed Chair Powell's dovish Jackson Hole speech, which all but guaranteed aĀ September rate cut. This "great rotation" saw small caps deliver theirĀ best month of relative performance in nine months.
Nvidia's Mixed Victory...