From Fed Calm to Tech Triumph: Keeping Your Strategy on Track

Unlock Your Wealth Starring Heather Wagenhals

Tech Roars, the Fed Waits

Weekend Wisdom – Unlock Your Wealth with Heather Wagenhals

Markets ended the week with a familiar split: big tech led the charge while broader sectors lagged behind. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted gains, thanks in large part to Nvidia’s explosive earnings beat and bullish AI outlook. Meanwhile, investors parsed Fed minutes and adjusted expectations around upcoming rate cuts.

In this Weekend Wisdom episode, Heather Wagenhals breaks down the week’s key moves—including a closer look at Nvidia’s influence, market breadth concerns, and what narrowing leadership means for smart investors. She also previews next week’s crucial PCE inflation report, a short trading week due to Memorial Day, and the earnings reports that could shape sentiment heading into June.

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Transcript:

From Fed Calm to Tech Triumph: Keeping Your Strategy on Track This week brought a mix of cautious optimism and steady hands as investors weighed new data on consumer spending alongside subdued inflation updates. Markets appeared comfortable with the possibility of the Federal Reserve holding rates steady at upcoming meetings, boosting the broad sentiment. “Welcome back, WealthBuilders—and those On Schedule to be a Millionaire. I’m Heather Wagenhals, and this is your Unlock Your Wealth Weekend Wisdom for Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23, 2025. Equity benchmarks rounded the week higher, bolstered by a blend of consumer spending data and favorable tech earnings. The Dow Jones rose nearly 0.9%, the S&P 500 gained around 1.2%, and the Nasdaq added roughly 1.4%—with tech stocks getting an extra push from upbeat forward guidance on AI and cloud services. Meanwhile, oil prices inched up to settle near $72 per barrel on resilient demand expectations, while gold dipped slightly after a calmer inflation read triggered less safe-haven buying. Bitcoin hovered around $32,000, suggesting a level of stability despite recent regulatory headlines. All eyes remained on the Federal Reserve’s language surrounding interest rates, which hinted at a hold for now, calming some investor nerves. My Take A cautiously positive tone seemed to define this week, illustrating how investor confidence can strengthen when there’s some consensus about the Fed’s next move. Fears of a rate hike took a backseat, and that breathing room gave growth-oriented sectors—especially tech—the momentum to climb. But remember, in investing as in life, clarity on policy doesn’t eliminate risk; it simply shifts it. Keep your focus on fundamentals, diversify appropriately, and avoid chasing short-term market excitement. What’s Coming Up Next week, be on the lookout for new housing data, which could provide additional clues about consumer resilience in a higher-rate environment. A handful of key earnings reports from retail giants will also shine a light on shifting consumer sentiment and spending patterns. On the economic calendar, jobless claims and a fresh consumer confidence reading may refine the market’s outlook on whether the Fed truly stands pat at its next meeting. Stay poised for market swings as investors digest these signals and adjust portfolios accordingly. Closing Money Mantra (repeat in voice + show text): “I’m a strategic thinker with a clear financial plan and the commitment to see it through. Every smart choice I make today brings me one step closer to the life I desire.” “That’s your Unlock Your Wealth Weekend Wisdom. I’m Heather Wagenhals… Where we unpack the week’s meaning, align your mindset for what’s ahead, and build a strategy that lasts. Until next time, take deliberate action—and go out and Unlock Your Wealth today.”