Markets Slip as Tensions Rise

Author

Kenny Goodrich
June 18, 2025

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HOT OFF THE PRESS🔥
💰Markets Slip as Tensions Rise

Welcome, we are 30,254 Money Masters and counting!

Markets pulled back this week as geopolitical risks escalated and fresh economic data raised new questions about the strength of the recovery. While Nvidia continued to drive optimism in tech, broader sentiment weakened on softer consumer demand, surging oil prices, and uncertainty around central bank moves. Crypto also lost momentum, as investors weighed risk-off signals and shifting regulatory tides.

Let’s go.

BIG IDEA 1💡
Global Tensions Shake Markets, Fed Holds, Retail Slows

Wall Street Pulls Back

  • Broad Market Drop – The S&P 500 fell 0.8% Tuesday as investors digested weak retail data and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

  • Retail Miss – May retail sales fell 0.9%, marking a sharper-than-expected slowdown and raising concerns about consumer resilience going into summer.

  • Fed Presses Pause – The Federal Reserve held rates steady as expected but offered no clear signal on the timing of future cuts, leaving markets cautious.

Middle East Conflict Escalates

  • Tensions Reach Boiling Point – Trump claimed the U.S. has total air control over Iran and demanded "unconditional surrender," escalating global conflict fears.

  • Oil Prices Surge – Crude jumped above $84 per barrel as supply concerns resurfaced following missile exchanges between Iran and Israel.

  • U.S. Role in Question – The White House insisted the U.S. has no plans for direct military action, but market participants remain uneasy.

Asia Steady but Cautious

  • Japan Holds Ground – Japanese equities rose modestly as the Bank of Japan maintained its policy rate and outlined a slower bond taper beginning in 2026.

  • China Underperforms – Chinese and Hong Kong markets slipped as investors reacted to mixed macro data and worsening diplomatic headlines.

  • Rate Week Looms – With the Fed, BOE, SNB, and PBOC all in play, markets are bracing for a busy week of monetary policy signals.

BIG IDEA 2💡
Crypto Cools, Corporate Moves Expand, and M&A Momentum Builds

Crypto Reacts to Risk and Regulation

  • Bitcoin Pulls Back – Bitcoin fell 1.6% to $105K as traders rotated out of risk assets ahead of the Fed and amid escalating conflict headlines.

  • ETF Ambitions Grow – Trump Media filed for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, a move that could increase retail access but also attract fresh regulatory scrutiny.

  • Fold Boosts Holdings – Crypto firm Fold secured a $250 million facility to grow its Bitcoin reserves, reinforcing growing institutional appetite.

Some investors are looking beyond Bitcoin and exploring alternative digital assets.

Tesla Stalls, Nvidia Powers Forward

  • Tesla Faces New Pressure – Wells Fargo forecast Tesla’s free cash flow will turn negative this year for the first time since 2018, citing weaker deliveries and fading credits.

  • Nvidia Gets a Boost – Barclays raised Nvidia’s price target to $200 as strong chip demand and growing system sales pointed to continued AI strength.

  • Clean Energy Splits – Solar stocks declined after proposed tax credit phase-outs, while nuclear plays rallied on extended incentives through 2036.

Retail Expands, Deal Flow Builds

  • Amazon Grows Prime Day – Amazon extended its flagship Prime Day sale to four days to give consumers more time to shop and boost summer revenue.

  • Lilly Eyes Biotech Buy – Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to acquire Verve Therapeutics for $1.3 billion, signaling continued momentum in health sector M&A.

  • TikTok Gets More Time – Trump extended ByteDance’s deadline to divest U.S. TikTok assets by 90 days, easing immediate shutdown fears.

Need our expert tips? Grab our Money Mastery guides today.

INFLATION REPORT💸
Today’s Inflation Rate: 2.35% (slightly up)

You are now closer to money mastery!🎉
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