The second-quarter earnings season has kicked off with impressive corporate profits driven by consumer strength, but the stock market's muted response raises concerns about investor expectations. Despite a stellar 94.4% earnings beat rate in financials, stocks remain stagnant.
Chip stocks are on the rise following TSMC's record quarterly profit, while PepsiCo forecasts a smaller decline in annual core profit. June retail sales also show a surprising uptick, signaling strong consumer confidence.