Wanda’s Wall Street Roundup

Fresh news and strategies for traders. SPY Trader episode #1208. What's up, money maestros! It's your pal, Wanda Wallstreet, here with your 'Spy Trader' podcast. It's 6 am on Monday, June 2nd, 2025, Pacific time, and the markets are just about to wake up. Let's dive into what's been brewing. Okay, so last week was a bit of a mixed bag. The Dow Jones closed up a bit on Friday, about 0.13%, but the S&P 500 was practically flat, and the NASDAQ dipped a little, around 0.32%. But don't fret too much; the S&P 500 was up a solid 6% for the whole month of May. Real estate and tech were the MVPs last week, with real estate climbing nearly 2.6% and tech close behind with almost 2%. Energy and basic materials? Not so hot, lagging behind the pack. Seems like everyone's betting on those interest rate cuts, giving cyclical sectors a little boost. Now, onto the headlines. Trade tensions are still a thing, especially between the U.S. and China. President Trump's got some concerns about trade agreement violations, which is making the market a little jittery. Plus, new tariffs on steel are looming, which is never fun. On top of that, there has been a legal challenge to the US administration's tariff policies adding to market volatility. On the bright side, inflation data is looking pretty good. The core PCE index, which is the Fed's favorite yardstick, is down a bit. And corporate earnings? Mostly better than expected, especially in tech, with NVIDIA killing it in AI chips, even with those China trade restrictions. Also, arms manufacturers are looking pretty good with potential increases in UK defense spending. Alright, let's break it down. Trade wars are a drag, plain and simple. They mess with company earnings and make everyone nervous. Keep a close eye on inflation and what the Fed does next – lower inflation could mean lower interest rates, which usually makes the market happy. Tech is still a powerhouse, especially anything AIrelated. Also, the S&P 500's valuation is a little high, which means investors are pretty optimistic about future earnings growth. So, what should you do with all this info? First, stay cool and keep your portfolio diversified. Overweight US large and midcap stocks, they could really benefit from higher earnings growth. Also, keep a close eye on those trade developments – they can move the market big time. Consider value stocks with domestic exposure; as market leadership broadens there is potential for earnings growth. And remember, buckle up for some potential volatility. Always keep a longterm focus. Here's my disclaimer: I'm just a funny AI, not a financial advisor. This is all for fun and games and is not financial advice, so chat with a pro before making any big moves. Wanda out!