Anna's Markets Recap

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Saturday, 5:20 AM

September. 6, 2025

Good morning news friend! Here is a quick recap of what happened in the markets this week. 📰🌟

The Gmail app usually clips the bottom quarter of our emails, we recommend you reading our full article online here.

What Do They Know That You Don’t?

Some of the most powerful people in Washington are quietly repositioning their portfolios.

This week, a member of the critical House Select Committee on China sold 16 of his tech and industrial stocks, including AMD and BlackRock. At the same time, a Senator on the Armed Services and Homeland Security committees made three large bond purchases—a classic move toward safety.

These aren't random guesses. These members have access to information that moves markets. Their trades can be a powerful signal for your own investment strategy. Before you make your next move, you should see theirs.

We’ve analyzed all 27 congressional trades filed this week. See the full breakdown—who’s buying, who’s selling, and which committees they sit on—in our detailed report.

Click here to view Full Report 

What Moved Markets Last Week

U.S. equity markets reached new all-time highs in a week defined by a pivotal Federal Reserve decision set against a backdrop of conflicting economic data. The S&P 500 gained 1.0% to close near 6,648, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged 1.8% to finish above 22,500.

The primary catalyst was the Federal Open Market Committee's decision on September 17 to lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point. While the cut itself was widely anticipated, the accompanying commentary was unexpectedly hawkish, signaling the move was a tactical adjustment rather than the beginning of a sustained easing cycle.

This created a split reaction across asset classes. Equities rallied on the immediate injection of liquidity, embracing a "Don't Fight the Fed" mentality. In contrast, the bond market focused on the cautious long-term outlook, pushing the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield up from 4.06% to 4.14% as expectations for future cuts diminished.

The Fed's decision came amidst a flurry of mixed economic signals. Hard data on consumer spending remained robust, with August retail sales rising 0.6%, triple the consensus estimate. However, forward-looking indicators flashed warning signs.

The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index for September fell to a four-month low of 55.4, well below forecasts, as households expressed growing anxiety about the labor market. This weakness was echoed in the manufacturing and housing sectors. The Empire State Manufacturing Index registered a contractionary -8.7, and August housing starts and building permits both fell short of expectations, pointing to a slowdown in construction.

Commodity markets reflected the week's key themes of monetary policy uncertainty and growth concerns. Gold continued its record-setting rally for a fourth straight week, briefly touching a new high of $3,706 per ounce. The precious metal benefited from the Fed's rate cut and rising demand for safe-haven assets amid signs of economic softening. In contrast, crude oil prices fell late in the week as concerns about a potential global slowdown overshadowed the stimulative effect of the Fed's rate action.

Tech and Growth

The technology sector powered the market's advance, driven by significant product launches and strategic maneuvers. Apple (AAPL) gained 3.7% following the successful launch of its iPhone 17 series, with strong pre-order demand from China assuaging fears of rising competition.

NVIDIA (NVDA) had a volatile week, ultimately closing flat. The company announced a landmark collaboration with rival Intel to develop custom data center and PC products, a strategic move to diversify its supply chain away from geopolitical risk. However, the positive momentum was offset by a preliminary finding from China's market regulator that Nvidia had violated anti-monopoly laws.

Other tech titans showed strength. Microsoft (MSFT) climbed after raising its quarterly dividend by 9.6% and pledging a $30 billion investment in UK-based AI infrastructure. Alphabet (GOOGL) surged, pushing its market capitalization past the $3 trillion threshold for the first time. The week's standout performer was Tesla (TSLA), which soared over 3.6% after a regulatory filing revealed CEO Elon Musk had purchased approximately $1 billion of company stock, igniting an eight-day winning streak on a powerful signal of insider confidence.

Banks and Financials

Financial stocks advanced as the Fed's "hawkish cut" steepened the yield curve—a generally profitable scenario for banks. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) shares rose over 1.8% after the bank announced an increased common stock dividend, signaling confidence in its earnings outlook. Bank of America (BAC) climbed to a new 52-week high after announcing plans to raise its minimum wage to $25 per hour, projecting operational strength. Payment processors Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) also gained, lifted by the strong retail sales data that points to high transaction volumes.

Consumer Goods and Healthcare

Defensive sectors saw mixed performance as capital rotated into growth assets, though significant company-specific news created standout winners in healthcare. Eli Lilly (LLY) shares rose over 1.1% on a cascade of positive developments. On September 16, the company announced a $5 billion investment in a new Virginia manufacturing plant to meet soaring demand for its blockbuster drugs. The following day, it released positive Phase 3 trial data for its diabetes drug Mounjaro and revealed its oral GLP-1 drug was superior to a competitor's in a head-to-head trial.

In contrast, consumer staples lagged the broader market rally. Procter & Gamble (PG) and Costco (COST) both declined as investors favored higher-growth sectors. The rotation from defensive to cyclical stocks was a clear trend, overriding the otherwise stable fundamentals of these companies.

Energy and Industrials

Sectors sensitive to the economic cycle faced headwinds. Exxon Mobil (XOM) was volatile, tracking the price of crude oil, which dipped late in the week on fears that slowing global growth would sap demand. The most direct impact of the week's economic data was felt by Home Depot (HD), which fell 1.6%. The stock's decline was a direct consequence of the weak housing market report, which showed significant drops in both housing starts and building permits. This demonstrated how specific, negative economic indicators can override broad, positive market sentiment.

Did you know we also write in-depth deep dives? They are long, packed with insights, and have received rave reviews. If you’re up for a detailed, action-packed read, check them out:

• The Resilient Retirement

• Inflammation Crisis

• AI Proof Professionals

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Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️