Wall Street’s Wild Wednesday

Fresh news and strategies for traders. SPY Trader episode #1165. Hey everyone, it's your pal Wanda Wallstreet here, and welcome back to Spy Trader! It's 6 pm on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, Pacific time, and the markets have been throwing us some curveballs today. Let's dive right into what's been happening. So, the market ended on a mixed note today. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq managed to eke out some gains, but the Dow took a little dip. But hey, good news! The S&P 500 is finally back in the green for the year – first time since early March! And the Nasdaq? It's only about 1% away from being positive for the year, boosted by a whopping 30% jump since early April. Big Tech continues to be the star, leading the Nasdaq to its sixth straight win. Now, let's talk sectors. Tech is shining bright, with Nvidia and AMD making some serious moves. But it's not all sunshine and roses. Most sectors in the S&P 500 took a hit today, especially healthcare, materials, and real estate. Looks like growth sectors like tech are in favor right now, while defensive plays like healthcare are lagging behind. In other news, we're seeing some interesting developments on the trade front. It looks like a temporary tariff reduction between the U.S. and China is giving investors some hope for a bigger trade deal. Plus, the U.S. and the U.K. shook hands on a trade agreement. On the company front, Dick's Sporting Goods might be buying Foot Locker – talk about a power play! UnitedHealth is under investigation, sending their stock tumbling. AMD announced a stock buyback program, which is always a good sign for shareholders. Super Micro Computer is soaring after some new partnerships in Saudi Arabia, and Tesla's board is thinking about a new pay package for Elon Musk. What a day! Let's not forget the bigger picture. Inflation seems to be cooling off a bit, hitting a fouryear low in April. But the economy slowed down more than expected in the first quarter. Tariffs are still a wild card, potentially messing with economic growth while pushing inflation up. The Fed is playing it cool, leaving interest rates alone for now, and keeping a close eye on both unemployment and inflation. Okay, Wanda's Wisdom time! The tech sector is definitely the place to be right now, especially if you're into AI. Easing trade tensions are making investors happy, but we still have mixed signals from the economy. The Fed is likely going to take a "waitandsee" approach. So, what do we do with all this? First, diversify, diversify, diversify! With so much going on, you don't want all your eggs in one basket. Keep an eye on those trade negotiations, because they can really shake things up. Focus on companies with solid foundations and growth potential, especially in tech and renewable energy. Be ready for some ups and downs, because volatility is probably here to stay. Maybe consider setting some stoploss orders to protect your downside. And most importantly, stay informed! Keep up with the economic news, earnings reports, and Fed announcements. Alright folks, that's all the time we have for today's Spy Trader. Remember, I'm just a financial analyst, not a fortune teller, so do your own research before making any big decisions. Until next time, this is Wanda Wallstreet, signing off! Happy trading!