1. Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision

• What Happened?

• The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25%, which was already expected.

• However, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell announced that in 2025, they plan to cut rates only twice, contrary to the market’s expectation of four cuts.

• Why Does It Matter?

• Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper, fueling economic growth.

• But when expectations are not met, the market panics.

• Impact:

• Stocks plunged:

• Dow Jones: Dropped 550 points.

• SPDR S&P 500 Bank ETF: All 94 components saw losses.

• Banking sector suffered the most.

2. Nissan-Honda Merger Talks

• What Happened?

• Nissan and Honda are planning a merger.

• Market perceives Nissan as the bigger winner in this deal.

• Impact on Stocks:

• Nissan ($NSANY): Shares up 21.3%.

• Honda ($HMC): Shares down 2.6%.

• Key Insight:

• Stronger companies tend to benefit more in mergers, while weaker ones face value drops.

3. Rivian’s Electric Vehicle Struggles

• What Happened?

• Rivian ($RIVN) shares dropped 3.8% after Baird rated their stock as “Neutral” due to concerns over weakening EV demand.

• Why It Matters?

• Lower demand means fewer sales, making investors nervous.

4. NVIDIA’s Comeback

• What Happened?

• NVIDIA ($NVDA) shares surged 4.4%, emerging from a correction phase.

• Key Insight:

• Strong companies with long-term value often recover as investors reinvest.

5. Quantum Computing Inc. Lands NASA Contract

• What Happened?

• Quantum Computing Inc. ($QUBT) signed a major contract with NASA, boosting its stock by 42.4%.

• Key Insight:

• Partnerships with major agencies like NASA provide significant market confidence.

6. Netgear Gains Amid TP-Link Ban Rumors

• What Happened?

• Netgear ($NTGR) shares rose 10.6% on rumors that TP-Link might face bans from the Chinese government.

• Why It Matters?

• When competitors face challenges, market leaders gain more confidence and market share.

7. Oil Prices Surge

• What Happened?

• Oil prices rose 1% as the US Energy Information Agency reported a decline in crude oil stockpiles for the fourth consecutive week.

• Key Insight:

• Lower supply typically leads to higher prices, impacting fuel costs globally.

8. Cocoa Prices Hit Record High

• What Happened?

• Cocoa prices soared 7% to a record $12,636 per ton due to poor weather in Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa supplier.

• Key Insight:

• Reduced supply pushes prices up, potentially making chocolate more expensive.

Takeaway:

Market movements depend on multiple factors, from economic policies to company-specific events and global supply trends. To navigate these shifts:

1. Stay informed.

2. Understand market dynamics.

3. Invest wisely based on data, not speculation.

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