Good morning!

This week was already filled with crucial corporate earnings reports, but the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has created a whole new dynamic in the markets. Here's what's happening...

• More than 225 companies report earnings this week, with some significant heavy hitters. This morning, earnings are due from United Health Group, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, PNC Financial, J.B. Hunt Transport, and Hancock Whitney, followed Wednesday by ASML, Johnson & Johnson, U.S. Bancorp, Discover Financial, Equifax, Synchrony Financial, Ally Financial, and United Airlines. On Thursday, numbers are due from Taiwan Semiconductor, Netflix, Novartis, Blackstone, Infosys, Cintas, and Nokia, followed Friday by American Express, The Travelers, Halliburton, Regions Financial, and Huntington Bancshares.*

• The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend shook not only the nation, but the markets as well. Stocks rose across the board Monday, while Bitcoin's value and Tesla shares surged, thanks to Trump's recent support of the cryptocurrency and a quick, supportive endorsement of his second run for the presidency by Elon Musk. Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group also soared 48% in Monday's premarket trading session but pared the gain by about 28% to trade at $40 a share. Analysts predict higher inflation and interest rates if Trump were reelected, potentially impacting fiscal policy and market trends. The attempt’s political influence could galvanize Trump supporters and shape broader economic outcomes. **

• Apple is back on top. The company's shares rose 2.5% to a record high on Monday after Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the iPhone maker's shares and designated the stock as a "top pick," citing the company's AI efforts as a boost to device sales. Apple's shares, which have jumped nearly 20% this year, rose to $236.30, giving the company a market value of $3.62 trillion, the highest in the world. The new technology is compatible with only 8% of iPhone and iPad devices and Apple has 1.3 billion units of smartphones currently in use by customers, the analysts said, adding that the company could sell nearly 500 million iPhones over the next two years.***

The financial advisors at Miramontes Capital diligently keep up with anything that can impact our clients' finances and tap into more than 175 years of combined investment experience. We do our all to keep your money protected and growing. If you think you might benefit from our financial experience and oversight, contact us today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. Just call (800) 460-1595. Until next week...

Investment Advisory Services offered through Miramontes Capital, LLC. Securities offered through Balanced Security Planning, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Miramontes Capital, LLC and Balanced Security Planning, Inc. are separate companies affiliated through common control. This newsletter is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Miramontes Capital, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Miramontes Capital, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.