Markets are framed as still climbing despite VIX near $15, with CPI on Wed. Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET, PPI on Thu. Aug. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET, and Friday retail sales as the next volatility tests. The core trade setup is a stack of AI and software earnings into that macro week: CRWV, SMCI, CSCO, AMAT, LITE, and NBIS all have report-driven catalysts. On charts, MSFT remains the key bullish leader above 480, with 520-531 targets still open if 492 holds, while TSLA, NOW, DUOL, and AMZN all have nearby trigger levels. NFLX is treated as a swing trade, with 78 the upside test and ~70 the next buy zone if it rejects.
VIX is back near $15, and that level is framed as a historical reversal zone; a green candle there suggests a potential turn lower, while a move higher would signal a shift toward fear.
CPI hits Wed. Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. CT, and the July inflation print is expected to drive Fed rate expectations, Treasury yields, the dollar, and stocks.
PPI lands Thu. Aug. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. CT, with the market watching whether higher business costs feed through to consumer prices and the Fed.
U.S. retail sales comes Friday, with the read focused on whether consumer demand stays resilient after July's unexpectedly weak employment report.
The Galleria Mall in Dallas being packed is cited as evidence the economy may be stronger than bearish expectations.
CRWV reports Tuesday after the close; the key question is whether AI cloud demand justifies its heavy spending and debt.
SMCI reports Tuesday after the close; the earnings test is whether AI server demand is still strong.
CSCO reports Wednesday after the close; the key question is whether AI demand is boosting network equipment sales.
AMAT reports Thursday after the close; the outlook should show whether chipmakers are still spending heavily on new equipment.
LITE reports Tuesday after the close, and its print could affect POET because both are exposed to optical tech used in AI data centers.
NBIS reports Wednesday, with the earnings test framed as whether demand is growing fast enough to justify massive data center spending.
TSLA is holding levels, with 350 reiterated as the target and the 30 EMA still flagged as the critical area it keeps returning to.
NOW is described as moving higher, with 136 as the upside target and 122 as support.
DUOL is creeping back toward 142, and a break above 142 is framed as the trigger for a much faster upside move.
AMZN has a breakout trigger at 283.
MSFT is holding above 480, keeping the larger uptrend bullish; the weekly MACD zero-line cross is still accelerating higher and supports a possible test of 520.
MSFT's daily RSI is near 78%, signaling overbought conditions, but the pullback zone is still framed as 490-480 support rather than a trend break.
MSFT has a full measured-move target up to 531; if it closes a couple candles above 492, that 531 target stays in play, and a bounce off the 3 EMA would mean the run is not over.
MSFT was entered before it broke above 402 and then rallied nearly $100, underscoring the continuation thesis.
NFLX is treated as a swing trade, not a long-term hold: it was called out under 74, 78 is the upside tap target, and a rejection there could send it back near 70 as a better long entry.