Today's Markets 5-Minute Digest (2026.08.09)

Weekend flow was dominated by Berkshire's first meaningful cash drawdown since 2022 and a rebound in AI names alongside Palantir's raised guidance. Macro data (cooling China inflation, easing US mortgage/CD rates) sat against fresh Middle East supply-risk headlines and a US Senate crypto bill advancing before recess.

1. Berkshire cash falls to $365.5B as Abel spends $4.5B on buybacks

Source: Abel puts a big chunk of Berkshire's cash to work (click for the original)

In his second quarter as CEO, Greg Abel drew down Berkshire Hathaway's cash reserves for the first time since early 2022. The report for the three months ending June 30 shows $365.5 billion on hand, an 8.0% reduction from the record $397.4 billion at March 31; on Berkshire's preferred metric (excluding BNSF cash and adjusting for Treasury bills), cash fell 3.8% to $359.2 billion.

Part of the spending was $4.5 billion of share buybacks — below Barron's rough $5B–$11B estimate range and UBS analyst Brian Meredith's $8.5 billion forecast, but far above the $235 million spent in Q1. CFRA's Cathy Seifert told Bloomberg the buybacks are 'also Greg's way of taking the helm and asserting himself.'

Watch whether the deployment pace continues next quarter and where the cash is directed (buybacks vs. acquisitions vs. equities). The buyback came in below several analyst estimates, so the read on Abel's capital-allocation posture is still forming.

• Abel puts a big chunk of Berkshire's cash to work
• Berkshire earnings rose last quarter and CEO Greg Abel is starting to deploy Buffett's massive cash hoard
• Warren Buffett's successor is finally spending the huge cash pile he built at Berkshire Hathaway

2. Palantir lifts US commercial guidance to 134%+ amid AI-stock rebound

Source: Top Wall Street analysts like these 3 stocks for their solid (click for the original)

Palantir reported market-beating Q2 results and raised full-year guidance, now expecting US commercial revenue to grow at least 134%. Bank of America's Mariana Perez Mora reiterated a buy rating with a $255 price target, noting US commercial is now nearly 40% of total revenue (up from 30% a year ago) and grew 149% in Q2. The stock was cited alongside picks such as Lam Research in an analyst roundup.

Separately, CNBC reported a 'massive rebound in AI stocks this week' after earlier concerns about the durability of AI spending and demand. In the ETF space, rate-uncertainty was cited as driving demand for CLO exposure as investors look for risk-asset yield.

Track whether Palantir's US commercial mix and growth rate hold through subsequent quarters, and how broader AI names trade against ongoing questions about capex durability. Figures above are analyst estimates and company guidance, not outcomes.

• Top Wall Street analysts like these 3 stocks for their solid growth potential
• Here's how we played the massive rebound in AI stocks this week
• Next big push in ETF industry? CLO exposure gains traction as rate uncertainty persists

3. China inflation cools; US mortgage and CD rates ease

Source: China's monthly inflation cools as impact from Iran war ease (click for the original)

China's monthly inflation cooled as the impact from the Iran war eased, according to the Financial Times. In the US, Yahoo Finance reported mortgage and refinance rates were mostly lower than the prior week, while top CD rates were quoted at up to 4.35% APY.

Coverage framed the moves against persistent interest-rate uncertainty, which was also cited as a factor in demand for certain risk assets.

Watch the direction of upcoming inflation prints and whether the softer mortgage/CD quotes reflect a durable shift or week-to-week noise. Rate uncertainty remains a stated driver across asset classes.

• China's monthly inflation cools as impact from Iran war eases
• Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, Sunday, August 9, 2026: Rates mostly lower than last week
• Best CD rates today, Sunday, August 9, 2026: Lock in up to 4.35% APY

4. Houthi strike hits Aramco's Jazan refinery; Strait of Hormuz risk persists

Source: Saudi Aramco extinguishes fire at refinery as Houthis claim (click for the original)

Firefighters extinguished a blaze at Saudi Aramco's refinery in Jazan early Sunday, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy said, adding that no one was injured and not specifying the cause. Iran-backed Houthis reportedly claimed a drone strike on the facility; CNBC said it had not independently verified the claim.

The strike follows weeks of tension after a June 17 US-Iran memorandum of understanding gave way to Iranian drone and missile attacks on Gulf shipping and US counterstrikes. Iran set conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz after the UAE said one of its ships was targeted, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is not currently in direct talks with the US.

Watch for confirmation of damage and any impact on Aramco refining throughput or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, both variables for oil supply and freight. Attribution and operational effects remain unverified in the current reporting.

• Saudi Aramco extinguishes fire at refinery as Houthis claim responsibility
• Iran sets conditions for opening Strait of Hormuz after UAE says one of its ships was targeted by airstrike

5. US Senate advances crypto bill before August recess

Source: US Senate advances landmark crypto bill before heading on Au (click for the original)

Reuters reported the US Senate advanced a 'landmark' crypto bill before heading into its August recess. Separately, the New York Times reported that a Trump-linked crypto venture took $100 million from a businessman described as having 'red flags.'

Watch the bill's specific provisions and its path through the full legislative process, plus any market or regulatory reaction. Legislative advancement is a procedural step, not final passage.

• US Senate advances landmark crypto bill before heading on August recess
• Trump Crypto Took $100 Million From a Businessman With Red Flags

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Investment decisions are your own responsibility.
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