The Number Markets Feared 📉

U.S. Treasury yields crossed key milestones this past week that could change the math for stocks right now in 2026.

Details: The 10-year Treasury yield briefly crossed 5% last Monday and Tuesday. It’s the highest level for the 10-year yield since 2007. Meanwhile, the 30-year yield reached its highest point since 2003.

Bigger Picture: The immediate result was a two-day selloff in the market, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq declining both days. Stocks slowly recovered later in the week.

Powering the Story: A 5%-plus risk-free long-term yield has ramifications for stocks.

Future corporate earnings are discounted at a higher rate, which hurts long-duration valuations, especially growth stocks.

Bonds become a more credible alternative to stocks for investors seeking income.

Higher borrowing costs can restrain housing, capital spending, deal activity, consumer credit, and corporate refinancing.

Early Bird’s Nest Egg Gains: With the 10-year Treasury yield around or above 5%, stock investors should focus less on index direction alone and more on whether companies can deliver enough earnings growth and cash flow to justify their valuations against a now-compelling risk-free alternative.

This does not automatically mean stocks will fall. Stocks can still outperform if earnings grow sufficiently.

But it raises the standard. “Good” growth may no longer be enough for expensive companies.

Final Thoughts: Bonds now provide meaningful competition, so stocks need to earn their place through credible earnings growth.

Blu Dot surpasses 2,000% ROAS with self-serve CTV ads

Home furniture brand Blu Dot blew up on CTV with help from Roku Ads Manager. Here’s how:

After a test campaign reached 211,000 households and achieved 1,010% ROAS, the brand went all in to promote its annual sales event. It removed age and income constraints to expand reach and shifted budget to custom audiences and retargeting, where intent was strongest.

The results speak for themselves. As Blu Dot increased their investment by 10x, ROAS jumped to 2,308% and more page-view conversions surpassed 50,000.

“For CTV campaigns, Roku has been a top performer,” said Claire Folkestad, Paid Media Strategist, Blu Dot. “Comping to our other platforms, we have seen really strong ROAS… and highly efficient CPMs, lower than any other CTV partner we've worked with.”

Using Roku Ads Manager, the campaign moved from a pilot to a permanent performance engine for the brand.

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Notables

Notable Earnings Today: N/A.

Notable IPOs Today: N/A.

Notable Equity Crowdfunding Campaigns Ending Today: Sunpath Solar (Honeycomb Credit).

Notable Economic Events Today: N/A.

Volvo Cars Welcomes New CEO

The Volvo XC60 at Clegir with Snowdon in the background.

Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash

Volvo Cars $VLVOF ( ▼ 7.59% ) appointed Klaus Zellmer, most recently CEO of Skoda Auto, as its new president and CEO on Sunday.

Quote: “Klaus Zellmer combines deep automotive expertise with broad international leadership experience and a strong record of guiding organisations through transformation and changing market conditions.” - Eric Li, Chairman of Volvo Cars.

Background: Zellmer’s appointment comes after the company reported a decline in revenue.

Final Thoughts: The stock is down about 48% this year.

XRP’s Sunday Slip

The price of the cryptocurrency XRP $XRP ( ▲ 7.86% ) fell about 3% on Sunday. XRP’s price had been on a roll with a 7% gain over the past week.

Final Thoughts: XRP is down nearly 25% this year.

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