Rover's Weekly Market Brief - 08/14/2026

August 14, 2026 Stock Rover Staff  Printer Friendly

New Ways to View Your Portfolio Performance

We are excited to introduce new table structures and views in Portfolio Performance. This update gives you maximum control over your data, offering expanded visual insights for monthly returns alongside brand-new performance tracking over time. You can read more about these new capabilities in our latest blog post.

Economy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the Brent crude oil spot price is forecast to average $87 per barrel in 2026, before falling to $69 per barrel in 2027 as global oil inventories rebuild and most shut-in production recovers. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil production is projected to reach 13.8 million barrels per day in 2026 and rise to 14.2 million barrels per day the following year. The U.S. average retail price for gasoline is expected to average $3.78 per gallon in 2026, before dropping to $3.29 per gallon in 2027. Additionally, the Henry Hub natural gas spot price is forecast to average $3.44 per million British thermal units in 2026 and $3.31 in 2027. The relatively low natural gas price forecast reflects record natural gas production and high storage levels, even as U.S. liquefied natural gas gross exports are expected to increase from 17 billion cubic feet per day in 2026 to 19 billion cubic feet per day in 2027.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in July 2026, following a 0.4% decline in June, bringing the 12-month unadjusted inflation rate to 3.4%. The monthly advance was led by the shelter index, which rose 0.1% and accounted for roughly two-thirds of the total increase, while the food index increased 0.1%, supported by a 0.3% rise in food away from home. In contrast, the energy index fell 1.5% over the month, driven by a 2.9% decrease in gasoline prices. Meanwhile, the index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in July after remaining unchanged in June, bringing its 12-month increase to 2.5%. Monthly gains in core components included medical care, airline fares, communication, and recreation, while motor vehicle insurance and lodging away from home registered declines. Over the 12 months ending July, energy prices increased 14.7%, while the food index rose 3.0%.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand was unchanged in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.1% decline in June, while final demand prices were 4.7% higher than a year earlier. The flat monthly reading occurred as a 0.7% drop in final demand goods offset a 0.2% increase in final demand services and a 2.2% advance in final demand construction. The goods decline was largely driven by a 3.1% drop in energy prices, including a 5.7% decrease in gasoline, as well as a 0.9% decrease in food prices. Meanwhile, the increase in final demand services was led by a 6.5% advance in portfolio management. Excluding foods, energy, and trade services, the core PPI rose 0.4% in July and was 4.7% higher than a year ago. On a 12-month basis, energy prices posted the largest increase, rising 18.2%, followed by transportation and warehousing services (+10.0%), goods less foods and energy (+4.9%), and trade services (+2.4%), while food prices declined 0.1%.

Upcoming Economic Reports:

Wednesday August 19 – FOMC Meeting Minutes

Thursday August 20 – Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index

Earnings Calendar: