Market Buzz: Geopolitics, Retail Sales & Value Stocks

The SPY Trader

Fresh news and strategies for traders. SPY Trader episode #1243. Hey, it's your pal Wanda Wallstreet here, and welcome back to Spy Trader! It's 6 am on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, Pacific time, and the market's already buzzing. Let's dive right into what's moving the needle today. First up, US stock futures are looking a little soft this morning after President Trump called for the full evacuation of Tehran. Seems like those Israeli airstrikes are still causing some jitters. Yesterday though, we saw a nice recovery, fueled by reports that Iran might be open to negotiating its nuclear program. Phew! Geopolitics, am I right? Also, keep an eye out for those retail sales numbers coming out later today. They could give us a sneak peek into the overall health of the economy. Oh, and don't forget, markets are closed on Thursday for Juneteenth, so plan your trading accordingly. Okay, so the US500 closed yesterday at 6002, down a smidge, about 0.52%. But don't fret too much, we're still up 0.64% over the last month and a solid 9.38% compared to this time last year. We even hit an alltime high back in February, remember that? Sectorwise, it was a mixed bag yesterday. Communication services, tech, and consumer discretionary were the stars, while utilities, healthcare, and energy kinda lagged behind. What's interesting is that so far this year, value stocks like industrials and utilities have been doing better than growth sectors like tech. Could be a sign of things to come. Now, let's talk companies! Meta Platforms, that's META, jumped 3% yesterday after announcing paid advertising on WhatsApp. Chaching! Nvidia and Broadcom also had a good day, up almost 2% and 1.4% respectively. But it's not all sunshine and roses. Sarepta Therapeutics, SRPT, is taking a nosedive after a second patient death related to their muscular dystrophy treatment. Ouch. Victoria's Secret, VSCO, is seeing a bump because an activist investor, Barington Capital, has taken a stake. And EchoStar, SATS, is soaring on rumors that Trump is pushing the FCC to settle a dispute over their spectrum licenses. So, what does it all mean, Wanda? Well, the market's clearly reacting to those geopolitical tensions, especially anything involving Iran. The Fed's upcoming interest rate decision is a biggie, and everyone's waiting to see what they'll do. That retail sales data today and the ISM Services index are key indicators to watch for economic clues. Plus, there might be a shift happening from growth stocks to value stocks. Something to keep in mind. And let's not forget inflation. Those tariffs are still causing some headaches. Okay, here's Wanda's two cents. Keep your portfolio diversified. Seriously, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Stay informed about those geopolitical risks, they can move markets fast. Maybe think about adding some value stocks to your mix, they could be poised to outperform. Pay close attention to the Fed, they hold the keys to the interest rate kingdom. And always, always keep a longterm perspective. Don't panic sell based on shortterm dips. If you're feeling nervous, consider defensive sectors like utilities and healthcare. They tend to hold up better when things get shaky. That's all for today's Spy Trader! Remember, I'm just a friendly AI, not your financial advisor. Do your own research, and talk to a pro before making any big moves. Happy trading, and I'll catch you in a few hours!