U.S. equity futures traded slightly higher Monday as investors began the week near record highs, with the S&P 500 having closed at a record level last week. Markets are focused on the upcoming July CPI report, corporate earnings, oil prices and developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. 📊 Market Snapshot Dow Futures: -0.06% S&P 500 Futures: +0.05% Nasdaq Futures: +0.13% Brent Crude: ~$84.96 (+1.69%) U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield: ~4.67% Gold: ~$4,389 (-0.25%) Bitcoin: ~$65,032 (-0.16%) VIX: ~15.45 🔥 Key Market Highlights 📊 July CPI Report in Focus Investors are preparing for Wednesday's July CPI report, which is expected to provide fresh clues on inflation and the Federal Reserve's interest-rate outlook. Markets will also receive PPI data on Thursday and retail-sales data on Friday, making this an important week for economic indicators and rate expectations. 🤖 AI & Semiconductor Stocks in Focus #CRWV, #SMCI, #LITE, #CSCO, #COHR and #AMAT are among the stocks investors are watching as the second-quarter earnings season continues. Results and guidance could provide further insight into AI infrastructure, data-center demand, networking, optical connectivity and semiconductor spending. ⚡ Intel Announces $15B Stock Offering #INTC is in focus after announcing a proposed $15 billion common-stock offering. Intel said the proceeds would be used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, as the company points to strong customer demand driven by investment in AI compute. 🏦 Berkshire Hathaway Remains in Focus #BRK.B remains on investors' radar following its latest quarterly results and continued capital deployment, including approximately $4 billion in share repurchases. 🏗️ BlackRock Expands AI Infrastructure Focus #BLK and its AI infrastructure fund reached an agreement with North America's Building Trades Unions, highlighting the growing demand for skilled construction labor as data-center infrastructure expands. 🛢️ Oil & Strait of Hormuz Brent crude traded near $85 a barrel as investors monitored developments involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Energy prices remain an important market variable because sustained increases in oil prices could add to inflationary pressures. 📌 Market Theme Markets remain constructive but cautious near record highs, supported by strong corporate earnings and continued AI investment. However, July CPI, Treasury yields, Federal Reserve expectations, oil prices and Middle East developments remain key risks. Wednesday's inflation report could become the week's biggest catalyst for interest-rate expectations and growth stocks.