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Wall Street faces one of its busiest weeks of the summer, with earnings from four of the Magnificent Seven companies, the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision, and key inflation data all set to test a market trading near record highs.

Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta Platforms (META) report Wednesday, followed by Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) on Thursday. The results are expected to provide another major test of investor appetite for AI spending.

The Federal Reserve will announce its latest interest rate decision Wednesday afternoon. Most economists expect policymakers to leave rates unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%, with investors instead focused on Chairman Kevin Warsh's comments on inflation, economic growth, and the outlook following the recent jump in oil prices.

Inflation returns to the spotlight Thursday with the release of the July core PCE price index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Economists expect annual core PCE inflation to rise 3.3%. Durable goods orders on Monday, home price data on Tuesday, and Friday's Brent crude expiration could also move markets.

Outside of Big Tech, earnings are due from Visa (V), Boeing (BA), Coca-Cola (KO), Qualcomm (QCOM), Starbucks (SBUX), Shell (SHEL), Coinbase (COIN), Chevron (CVX), ExxonMobil (XOM), and AbbVie (ABBV).

Investors will also watch the expected IPO debuts of Jersey Mike's (JMKE) and Ticketplus (TP).

Earnings spotlight: Monday, July 27: AstraZeneca (AZN). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday, July 28: Visa, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Ford (F). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday, July 29: Microsoft, Meta, P&G (PG), Arm (ARM), Qualcomm. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday, July 30: Apple, Amazon, Mastercard (MA). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Friday, July 31: AbbVie, Chevron (CVX). See the full earnings calendar. 

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Gold has remained one of the most closely watched assets in 2026 as investors weigh inflation, central bank policy, and mounting fiscal challenges. In the following article, Victor Dergynov explains why he believes the recent pullback is only temporary, outlining the structural forces supporting a long-term bull case for gold and the key catalysts that could drive prices significantly higher in the months ahead.

Full Article (no paywall) Here is a brief summary of the article:

Victor remains bullish on gold, arguing that the long-term investment case is supported by structural economic trends rather than short-term price movements. He explains that decades of monetary expansion, persistent government deficits, and growing global debt have continued to erode confidence in fiat currencies. While recent market expectations surrounding higher interest rates and Federal Reserve policy have created near-term headwinds for gold, Victor believes these factors are temporary and do not alter the metal's long-term trajectory.

Looking ahead, Victor identifies rising U.S. fiscal deficits, an expanding national debt, and sustained central bank gold purchases as the primary drivers of future price appreciation. He notes that many countries are gradually diversifying reserves away from U.S. Treasuries and increasing their exposure to physical gold, reinforcing demand. Based on these structural tailwinds, Victor maintains a highly optimistic outlook, forecasting gold could reach $5,500 within the next 12 months, with a potential 18-month target range of $5,700 to $6,100 if current macroeconomic trends persist.

If you’re interested in Victor Dergunov's disciplined approach to growth investing, you can explore The Financial Prophet, featuring real-money portfolios, market insights, and ongoing portfolio commentary. The service includes a 14-day free trial, with a discounted annual rate of $539.10 available for new subscribers. Learn more >>

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Check out the week's top insider trades, highlighting significant purchases and sales by investors, directors, and executives. Notable transactions took place at Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Snap (SNAP), and TSMC (TSM).