Broker News Today — August 13, 2026

Global markets are navigating a complex landscape of economic and technological developments. On one hand, Japan's wholesale inflation rate eased slightly to 7.2% in the latest reading, coming in below expectations. This has implications for the global economy, particularly as central banks continue to grapple with inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, tech giants are experiencing a surge in interest, with Cisco reporting record results driven by an AI 'supercycle', and other major players like Nvidia, Intel, and Google seeing significant market enthusiasm.

Despite this optimism, a note of caution is being sounded, with investors buying crash protection as they prepare for potential market volatility. This is reflective of a broader sense of unease, with some observers drawing parallels with the market exuberance of the late 1990s. As market participants continue to digest these crosscurrents, the price of gold is also being closely watched, with traders adjusting their bets on the likelihood of further Fed rate hikes and shifting inflation expectations. Against this backdrop, even major events like the solar eclipse in Europe are serving as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of global events.

Today's signal:
• In pictures: Europe sees best solar eclipse since 1999 (cnbc.com)
• Japan wholesale inflation eases slightly to 7.2%, undershooting expectations (cnbc.com)
• Cisco sees record results from an AI ‘supercycle,’ but its stock pulls back (marketwatch.com)
• How the market is trading gold as Fed rate hike and inflation odds shift (cnbc.com)
• Nvidia, Intel, Google: Wall Street is partying like it’s 1999 (marketwatch.com)
• Trust, but hedge: Quietly violent summer lingers as bulls buy crash protection (cnbc.com)