Market Pulse: May 15th, 2025

Fresh news and strategies for traders. SPY Trader episode #1167. Alright, folks, welcome back to Spy Trader! It's your pal, Penny Pincher, here, and it's 12 pm on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, Pacific time. Let's dive into what's shaking up the market today. First up, the big picture: US stocks are looking perky, fueled by the expectation of the Fed possibly cutting rates later this year. The S&P 500 is back in the green for the year, which is something we haven't seen since March. Even the Nasdaq is trying to join the party, and the Dow's not too far behind. Seems like easing trade worries, a strong job market, and companies posting decent earnings are giving everyone a little boost. Now, let's talk sectors. Industrials, utilities, and pharmaceuticals are flexing their muscles lately. And you know those big tech stocks? Yeah, the AI ones like Nvidia and Tesla are still making headlines with some serious gains. But remember, folks, what's hot today might not be tomorrow, so keep an eye on those trends. In the news: It sounds like the U.S. and the U.K. shook hands on a trade deal and are chatting with China too. Plus, the U.S. and China are even easing up on those tariffs they had going on. The Fed's holding steady for now, but they're keeping a close watch on unemployment and inflation, so should we. On the data front, producer prices dropped in April, which is a good sign. But retail sales are showing a bit of a slowdown. Companywise, GE is soaring because Qatar ordered a bunch of planes with their engines. Cisco's leading the tech charge after their earnings report, way to go Cisco! Walmart, on the other hand, is feeling the pinch from tariffs, so they're raising prices. UnitedHealth is under the microscope because of a Medicare fraud investigation. AMD announced a $6 billion stock buyback, and Super Micro Computer snagged a $20 billion deal with some data folks in Saudi Arabia. Hot stuff! So, what should you do with all this info? Here's Penny's two cents: First, diversify, folks! Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Take a look at how the S&P 500 divides things up and use that as a guide. Second, stick with quality companies—you know, the ones with solid financials and a history of doing well. Third, keep an eye on the big picture—GDP, inflation, unemployment—the whole shebang. And finally, in these uncertain times, maybe sneak some defensive stocks like consumer staples and utilities into your portfolio. With big Tech showing strength, but valuations are high so tread carefully. Focus on companies that have a long runway ahead of them. Keep an eye on geopolitics and any policy changes that could rock the boat. Now, I'm not a financial advisor, so don't go betting the farm on my advice. This is just for fun, folks! Always do your own research and talk to a pro before making any big moves. Until next time, happy trading!