Tech, Tariffs and a Touch of Optimism
The stock market had a rollercoaster week, but overall, things are looking up—especially if you're into tech stocks or Bitcoin. Let’s break down what happened, what it means, and what to watch moving forward.
Trade Drama Still Driving Markets
The biggest force moving markets right now is trade—specifically the U.S.'s ongoing tariff tensions with China and other countries. President Trump hinted this week that he might ease tariffs on China and also said a Japan trade deal is close. That gave investors a bit of hope and sent markets rising.
But don't get too comfortable. Trump also called high tariffs a “total victory,” and he’s pushing hard for major concessions from China. That means the trade situation is far from settled.
For now, though, it seems like we've hit “peak tariff panic.” Markets are stabilizing a bit, and calmer trading could mean the worst is behind us—at least for now.
Tech Takes Center Stage
Big tech companies were the stars of the week. Alphabet (Google's parent company), Tesla, and Intel all reported earnings. Here's how they did:
Alphabet ($GOOGL) beat expectations in a big way. The company earned $2.81 per share on $90.23 billion in revenue—much better than analysts expected. Ad sales and YouTube subscriptions helped drive growth, and Google Cloud also saw a 28% jump in revenue. Plus, Alphabet is investing $75 billion into AI infrastructure next year. That’s a big bet on the future of tech.
Tesla ($TSLA) had a strange week. The company missed earnings expectations, but the stock still soared nearly 10%. Why? Investors are excited about Tesla's push into self-driving taxis. Elon Musk announced a pilot program and said he’s cutting back on distractions to focus more on Tesla. That got people optimistic again.
Intel ($INTC) didn’t do so well. The chipmaker lost $0.19 per share last quarter, even though its revenue beat estimates. The company warned of a weak outlook and laid off 20,000 workers. New CEO Lip Bu-Tan says big changes are coming, but investors are clearly nervous.
Next week is a big one for tech. Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Apple all report earnings. These results could either confirm that tech is back—or send us back into market jitters.
Trouble at Home (Literally)
While tech is booming, the housing market is hurting. March saw the lowest number of existing home sales in three years. Closings were the weakest since 2009, during the financial crisis. That could be a sign that high interest rates and economic uncertainty are starting to hit everyday consumers.
Gold, Copper, and Bitcoin—Oh My!
Gold reached a new record high of $3,500 per ounce this week as investors looked for safety amid the Trump–Fed drama. It pulled back a bit later in the week, but it’s still up 25% this year.
Copper prices rose, boosted by hopes of improving trade relations, but then slipped as demand worries returned.
Bitcoin shot up to around $94,000, a 10% gain in just one week. It's riding the wave of risk-on sentiment as investors start to take more chances again.
The Bigger Picture: What's Next?
Jobs Report Coming: We’ll get April's employment numbers soon. This will show whether tariffs are starting to impact hiring—especially in manufacturing and retail.
GDP Update: We’ll also see Q1 growth numbers. The focus will be on consumer spending and business investment. Were people and companies already pulling back before tariffs took effect?
The Takeaway for New Investors
This week was a great reminder that the market is driven by headlines, hope, and hard data.
When tensions ease or big companies beat expectations, markets can jump.
But uncertainty—whether from trade policies or corporate layoffs—can quickly shake investor confidence.
Tech stocks are leading the market, but not without some bumps along the way.
Always pay attention to the bigger picture—economic reports like jobs data and GDP matter, especially in times of change.
If you're just starting out as an investor, this is a good time to watch, learn, and stay diversified. Don’t chase trends, but do keep an eye on the companies and sectors that are building the future.
Markets are always moving. The key is not to react to every headline, but to understand the story they’re telling. Stay curious, stay informed, and keep your long-term goals in focus.