WS #11624

The dominant signal in this window is a major escalation in US-Iran tensions. The US has launched 'powerful strikes' against Iran and revoked the oil sanctions waiver after Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This is corroborated by multiple high-credibility sources including CENTCOM, CNN, BBC, CNBC, FT, and Al Jazeera. Oil prices surged over 5% on the news, with Brent crude rising 3% to $76/bbl and US crude jumping nearly 6% above $70. The ceasefire agreement signed in June is now under severe strain, with Iran's foreign ministry condemning the US actions as a breach. The narrative is ESCALATING sharply. Separately, a significant semiconductor selloff occurred, driven by Samsung's record earnings triggering profit-taking and a Reuters report that Chinese startup DeepSeek is developing its own AI chips, potentially reducing reliance on Nvidia. This weighed on the Nasdaq, which fell 1.16%. Other notable signals include: Lockheed Martin winning $607M in defense contracts (positive for defense), Kura Sushi lowering FY26 guidance due to tariff costs (negative for consumer discretionary), and a $159.66M dark pool order in QQQ (large institutional activity).