The Gentle Ledger - ASMR Financial News

In this episode of The Gentle Ledger, we wind down the week with a detailed walkthrough of global markets, from Wall Street’s tempered close to shifts in Asia, Europe, commodities, and crypto.

We break down how the Dow Jones inched up 34 points to 44,946, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq pulled back after recent highs. Sector spotlights include UnitedHealth’s 12% jump on a Berkshire stake, Applied Materials’ 14% plunge, and big ...

In this calming yet data-rich installment of The Gentle Ledger, we guide you through a market day disrupted by hotter-than-expected wholesale inflation numbers. U.S. indexes moved cautiously, with the Dow slipping 104 points to 44,911.26, the S&P 500 touching another record at 6,468.54, and the Nasdaq dipping slightly to 21,710.67. We explore sector shifts, from Amazon’s 2.9% rise on expanded grocery delivery plans to Tapestry ...

In this midweek edition of The Gentle Ledger, we guide you through a day where global markets moved in harmony. U.S. indexes — the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq — all touched or closed near record highs, buoyed by steady inflation data and rising confidence in a September Fed rate cut. We explore standout sector and corporate stories, from Amazon’s grocery expansion to CoreWeave’s surprising earnings miss, and a breakout IPO in the ...

On today’s episode of The Gentle Ledger, we glide through a day of record-breaking gains on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at fresh highs and the Dow climbing within reach of its own. We’ll unpack the softer-than-expected inflation print that has markets pricing in a near-certain September Fed rate cut, and explore how this shift rippled across sectors—from airlines and chipmakers to standout corporate stories...

In this Monday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we explore August 11th, 2025—a day of measured pullbacks as Wall Street paused after last week’s rally. The Dow slipped 200 points to 43,975, the S&P 500 eased 0.25% to 6,373, and the Nasdaq dipped 0.3% to 21,385, with traders awaiting Tuesday’s key CPI report. We unpack President Trump’s 90-day tariff pause with China, shifting tech-sector dynamics from Nvidia and AMD’s AI chip agre...

In this Friday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we reflect on August 8th, 2025—a day where Wall Street closed the week on a high note. The Dow rose 0.47% to 44,175, the S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to 6,389, and the Nasdaq gained 1.0% to a record 21,450, marking its sixth straight all-time high. We gently explore Apple’s continued rally, Gilead’s outlook boost, The Trade Desk’s sharp drop, shifting Fed rate cut expectations, and the brief...

In this Thursday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we explore August 7th, 2025—a day where new U.S. tariffs reshaped market currents. The Dow slipped 0.5% to 43,968, the S&P 500 eased 0.1% to 6,340, while the Nasdaq rose 0.4% to a fresh record high of 21,243, powered by tech strength and Apple’s $100B U.S. manufacturing pledge. We gently unpack the tariff impact on India and Switzerland, dramatic corporate moves from Eli Lilly to D...

In this Wednesday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we unwind the story of August 6th, 2025—a day of cautious gains and deep undercurrents. The Dow inched up 0.2% to 44,190, the S&P 500 added 0.7% to 6,345, and the Nasdaq led with a 1.2% rise to 21,169, buoyed by Apple’s $100B U.S. manufacturing pledge and better-than-expected earnings across sectors. We softly explore the Fed’s increasingly dovish tone, growing concerns over labor...

In this Tuesday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we reflect on August 5th, 2025 — a day marked by stagflation concerns and renewed tariff threats. The Dow slipped 0.1% to 44,111, the S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 6,299, and the Nasdaq declined 0.7% to 20,916 as U.S. services sector growth slowed sharply while price pressures surged. We unpack how Palantir, Axon, and Leidos delivered standout earnings amid weakness in cyclicals and exporter...

In this softly narrated Friday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we reflect on August 1st, 2025—a day when Wall Street faced its steepest drop since May. The Dow closed at 43,588, down 1.2%, the S&P 500 fell 1.6%, and the Nasdaq slid 2.2% as a weaker-than-expected jobs report and sweeping new tariffs rattled markets. We explore the Fed’s cautious tone, the impact of 73,000 new jobs with rising unemployment to 4.2%, expanded U.S. tr...

In this gently narrated edition of The Gentle Ledger for Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, we guide you through a pivotal day of quiet resolve and rising trade tensions. The Federal Reserve holds rates steady, but a rare dissent hints at shifting sentiment. We explore the ripple effects of President Trump’s new tariffs on Brazil and India, GDP surprises, a strengthening dollar, and copper’s sharp decline. Oil rises, Bitcoin stays calm, a...

In this tranquil Tuesday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we guide you through July 29th, 2025—a day marked by quiet strength across equity markets, a firmer U.S. dollar, and subtle ripples in global trade. We gently explore the U.S.–EU tariff agreement and its political undercurrents, resilient corporate earnings, a soft pause in Asia, and shifting energy prices. Bitcoin holds steady, gold softens, and macro tones remain cautiously o...

In this Monday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we walk through the key themes shaping July 28th, 2025. U.S. equities notch fresh record highs following a landmark U.S.–EU trade deal, while Treasury yields and the dollar climb in response. We explore market reactions to new tariff frameworks, diplomatic signals from U.S.–China and Russia, and Asia’s cautious open after a strong previous week. Commodities hold firm, crypto trades softl...

In this calm and comprehensive Friday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we close the week of July 25th, 2025, with a quiet reflection on record-setting U.S. equity markets. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted their tenth straight day of gains, powered by strong earnings and trade optimism. We explore the slight rise in Treasury yields, a softening dollar, easing oil prices, and silver’s continued strength. In Asia, markets paused after a...

In this richly detailed Thursday edition of The Gentle Ledger, we explore July 24th, 2025—a day defined by record highs in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, driven by strong Alphabet earnings and optimism around U.S.–EU trade negotiations. We gently unpack rising Treasury yields, a surge in copper and silver prices, and the resilience of crypto markets as Bitcoin stabilizes near $120,000. Across Asia and Europe, markets respond positivel...

In this midweek edition of The Gentle Ledger, we walk softly through Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025—a day shaped by a landmark U.S.–Japan trade deal that sent global markets higher. We explore the Nikkei’s surge, muted Treasury yield moves, and a quiet climb in commodities like oil and gold. As investors await earnings from Tesla and Alphabet, we reflect on how foreign investment, corporate positioning, and crypto market calm are shapi...

In this richly detailed and gently delivered episode of The Gentle Ledger, we ease through Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. Markets paused after a recent rally, digesting a mix of earnings surprises, shifting Treasury yields, and cautious Fed commentary. In Asia, markets reacted to early PMI signals and stimulus expectations from Beijing. Oil prices climbed modestly, while gold saw safe-haven flows amid Middle East headlines. Bitcoin rema...