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The Markets:
Futures Highlights
Today’s futures market presents a mixed picture—with energy commodities showing marked moves and equity indexes mostly in positive territory. While Crude Oil and major U.S. indices are up notably, Natural Gas has taken a sharp dip.
🟢 Crude Oil: 67.26 (+1.01 | +1.52%)
🔴 Natural Gas: 4.2390 (-0.2140 | -4.81%)
⚪ Gold: 2922.70 (+1.80 | +0.06%)
⚪ Dow: 41731.00 (+256.00 | +0.62%)
🟢 S&P 500: 5635.00 (+58.00 | +1.04%)
🟢 Nasdaq 100: 19681.00 (+282.00 | +1.45%)
🟢 Russell 2000: 2045.40 (+20.40 | +1.01%)
Forex & Bonds Overview
The forex and bonds sector is moving moderately with most changes below 1%, aside from BTC/USD and the 5-Year Treasury which are showing slightly more robust gains. Overall, market participants seem to be in a state of cautious optimism with stable pricing across major pairs.
⚪ EUR/USD: 1.0895 (-0.0023 | -0.21%)
⚪ USD/JPY: 148.83 (+1.06 | +0.72%)
⚪ GBP/USD: 1.2953 (+0.0011 | +0.08%)
🟢 BTC/USD: 83283.40 (+1219.40 | +1.49%)
🟢 5-Year Treasury: 4.087 (+0.045 | +1.11%)
⚪ 10-Year Treasury: 4.324 (+0.036 | +0.84%)
⚪ 30-Year Treasury: 4.628 (+0.025 | +0.54%)
Major Stock News
The major stock segment highlights strong gains from tech and growth names with TSLA at the forefront, while a few key stocks fell into negative territory. Below is a sorted rundown from the biggest winners to the biggest losers for today:
Winners:
🟢 TSLA: +3.79%
🟢 AVGO: +3.06%
🟢 PLTR: +2.19%
🟢 SFIX: +2.17%
🟢 NVDA: +1.66%
🟢 META: +1.29%
🟢 AMZN: +1.05%
🟢 MX: +1.00%
⚪ TSM: +0.19%
⚪ AMD: +0.13%
Losers:
🔴 IRBT: -2.62%
🔴 JPM: -1.33%
🔴 GOOGL: -1.10%
🔴 GOOG: -1.09%
⚪ INTC: -0.75%
⚪ WMT: -0.43%
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Beyond the Paywall:
Most Promising Stocks of The Day
Events Affecting The Markets Today & Beyond
Most Impactful News Summaries
Most Promising Stocks of The Day:
Most Interesting Events Today:
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, several events might influence the U.S. stock market:
1. Economic Data Releases:
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Report: At 8:30 a.m. ET, the Labor Department will release February's CPI data. Economists expect a 0.3% monthly increase and 2.9% annual inflation. Core CPI is anticipated to rise 0.3% monthly, reaching 3.2% annually. Deviations from these expectations might influence market volatility, investor sentiment, and Fed policy decisions.
2. Corporate Earnings Reports:
Adobe Inc.: Scheduled to release Q1 earnings after market close. Analysts predict an 11% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS and a 9% rise in revenue, mainly attributed to growth in Adobe's AI offerings.
Other Key Earnings: Crown Castle, UiPath, SentinelOne, and American Eagle Outfitters are also set to announce quarterly results today.
3. Trade Policy Developments:
Implementation of U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs: New tariffs on imported steel and aluminum go into effect today, prompting the EU to retaliate with tariffs totaling approximately $28 billion. This escalation could directly impact industries dependent on these materials and indirectly affect overall market confidence.
4. Geopolitical Events:
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire: Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in its ongoing conflict with Russia. This temporary de-escalation might positively influence global markets by reducing immediate geopolitical uncertainty.
5. Treasury Yields and Inflation Outlook:
Following the CPI report, market participants will closely watch U.S. Treasury yields. Even a moderate CPI figure might keep yields elevated, restricting the Federal Reserve's capacity to implement aggressive rate cuts amid signs of slowing economic growth.
Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-march-12-2025-11695284
https://www.barrons.com/articles/stock-market-movers-f739509d
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/treasury-yields-dip-ahead-of-cpi-inflation-data-67261bda
Most Impactful News Summaries:
Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports effective now
President Donald Trump's increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports took effect on Wednesday. He had threatened to double the duty on Canadian exports but backed off after Ontario's Premier agreed to suspend a planned electricity surcharge.
Ukraine has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Russia, pending Kremlin approval. This agreement follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
In other news, the Republican-controlled House passed a spending bill to fund the government for six months. This move challenges Senate Democrats, who oppose the bill due to cuts in non-defense spending.
Source: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-steels-against-trade-foes-104258692.html
Amazon, Google, and Meta endorse tripling nuclear power
Amazon, Google, and Meta have pledged support to triple global nuclear energy by 2050. This nonbinding commitment aligns with a similar pledge made by over 20 countries at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in December 2023.
The tech companies are responding to their growing energy needs, particularly for artificial intelligence centers. They believe nuclear power is necessary alongside renewables for reliable energy.
Last October, Amazon and Google invested in small nuclear reactors, while Meta called for proposals to add up to four gigawatts of new nuclear power in the U.S. The pledge was announced at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/amazon-google-and-meta-support-tripling-nuclear-power-by-2050.html
Trump's health team promotes supplement industry expansion
President Trump’s health team, including Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has strong ties to the supplement industry. They aim to promote supplements and reshape health policies, with Kennedy leading the new "Make America Healthy Again Commission."
Kennedy and other officials advocate for increased access to vitamins and alternative therapies, claiming the government has restricted these options. The supplement industry has seen significant growth, with revenues reaching about $70 billion annually, despite concerns over safety and regulation.
Oz, nominated to lead Medicare and Medicaid, has disclosed financial ties to a supplement company and plans to divest if confirmed. The administration's approach may lead to looser regulations on supplements, reflecting a shift in health policy priorities.
Source: https://fortune.com/well/article/dr-oz-trump-health-team-financial-ties-supplements/
Trump administration halts federal electric vehicle orders
The Trump administration has paused federal orders for electric vehicles and halted the installation of new EV chargers. A memo from the General Services Administration directs that non-essential chargers be turned off, marking a shift from the previous administration's push for zero-emission vehicles.
This decision contrasts sharply with the Biden administration's goals, which aimed for most federal vehicle purchases to be zero-emission by 2035. The new policy allows exceptions for "mission-critical" needs, but does not define this term.
The GSA has already begun shutting down chargers at some federal facilities, including a large campus in Denver. The future of existing EVs and chargers within federal agencies remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/12/nx-s1-5310006/trump-government-electric-vehicles-gsa-ev
Scale AI partners with U.S. military for AI integration
Scale AI has secured a multimillion-dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop Thunderforge, an initiative aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into military planning. This marks a shift as companies previously focused on civilian applications now pivot to defense.
Experts express concern over the potential risks of military AI. They warn that increasing reliance on AI could lead to loss of human control and catastrophic outcomes. Scale AI claims that Thunderforge will operate with human oversight, but skepticism remains.
The trend of civilian companies entering military contracts is growing, with multiple firms now collaborating with the U.S. military. Experts emphasize the need for international guidelines to manage AI's military use and prevent uncontrolled developments.
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91295381/military-ai-is-here-some-experts-are-worried
AI will replace jobs in banking and financial services
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming banking and financial services, similar to the steam engine and the internet. He highlighted that AI will lead to job replacements across various industries.
Dimon noted that while some jobs will adapt with AI, others will be eliminated. JPMorgan is investing $2 billion in AI, implementing over 450 use cases, including risk management and customer service automation.
The discussion also addressed open banking and data privacy. Dimon expressed concerns about unchecked data sharing and emphasized the need for regulations that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
Google launches powerful Gemma 3 AI model for developers
Google has launched Gemma 3, its latest AI model, claiming it is the most powerful model that can run on a single GPU. This model is designed for developers to create AI applications across various devices and supports over 35 languages.
Gemma 3 is said to outperform competitors like Facebook's Llama and OpenAI in performance on single GPU setups. It features an upgraded vision encoder for high-resolution images and a new safety classifier to filter explicit or dangerous content.
Despite its advanced capabilities, Google acknowledges concerns about potential misuse of the technology. The licensing for Gemma remains unchanged, limiting how it can be used. Google is also offering cloud credits to promote Gemma's use in academic research.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/627968/google-gemma-3-open-ai-model
China summons Walmart over demand for price cuts
China summoned Walmart executives on Tuesday to address concerns over the retailer's request for Chinese suppliers to lower prices in response to increased U.S. tariffs. This demand could disrupt supply chains and affect both U.S. and Chinese companies.
Walmart's push for price cuts comes as President Trump announced a doubling of tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. Chinese exporters are resisting these demands, as their profit margins are already low due to Walmart's pricing strategy.
Beijing expects U.S. retailers to handle trade issues fairly. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textiles reported complaints from members about price-cut requests from U.S. retailers, indicating rising tensions in global supply chains.
Source: https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/china-summons-walmart-after-report-of-price-cut-demand
UK to cut foreign aid for increased defense budget
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to cut foreign aid to increase defense spending by £6.8 billion annually starting in 2027. This shift may help Chancellor Rachel Reeves meet fiscal rules by increasing her budget buffer by at least £2.4 billion.
The defense spending will rise to 2.5% of GDP, with part of the funding coming from capital spending, which does not count against current expenditure rules. This change eases pressure on Reeves to find savings ahead of her spring statement.
Reeves is also exploring welfare cuts and public service reductions to recover budget headroom. The National Wealth Fund will contribute to defense, but the amount is limited, potentially providing only £1 billion annually.
Duterte arrested by ICC for crimes against humanity
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a global court that addresses serious international crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity. It acts when countries cannot or will not prosecute offenders. The ICC now has 125 member states, including Ukraine.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested under an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug policies. He is the first former Asian leader to be detained by the ICC and is expected to arrive in The Hague soon.
The ICC relies on state cooperation for arrests and has issued 60 warrants since its establishment in 2002. Notable figures with warrants include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Source: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/international-criminal-court-had-former-052432967.html
Portable factories simplify and speed up solar projects
Charge Robotics, founded by MIT alumni, has developed portable factories that automate the assembly and installation of solar farms. This innovation aims to reduce installation costs and speed up the deployment of solar energy.
Previously, solar farm installations were labor-intensive and time-consuming, contributing significantly to overall costs. Charge Robotics' system assembles solar components on-site, allowing for quicker and more efficient construction.
The company has successfully tested its prototype with SOLV Energy and raised $22 million for commercial deployments. This development comes as solar energy accounted for 81% of new electric capacity in the U.S. last year.
Xi Jinping's meeting boosted confidence among Chinese entrepreneurs
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held a closed-door meeting with top entrepreneurs, including Alibaba's Jack Ma. This event marked a rare display of support for the private business sector.
Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai stated that the meeting boosted confidence among business leaders to invest in their companies. He emphasized its significance for the entrepreneurial landscape in China.
The meeting is seen as a pivotal moment for the private sector, which has faced challenges in recent years. The situation is still developing, and further updates are expected.
Meta's Orion AR glasses face skepticism about practicality
Meta's Orion AR glasses are in development, featuring a new device called the Compute Puck. This puck enhances the glasses with advanced tracking and AI capabilities, aiming to improve user experience in augmented reality.
Previously, Meta considered a neck-mounted device for computing, but shifted to the puck design to reduce the burden of carrying extra devices. The puck is smaller than a phone but offers more power, enabling features like holographic communication and AR gaming.
Despite the innovative features, there are concerns about the practicality and necessity of the puck. Users may resist carrying an additional device unless it provides a compelling reason to do so. The success of Orion will depend on its ability to deliver a standout application.
Ray Dalio warns of severe U.S. supply-demand issues
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warned of a serious U.S. supply-demand issue that could lead to significant developments. He highlighted concerns about the country's debt and the need for the deficit to decrease from 7.2% to 3% of GDP.
Dalio stated that the U.S. government may need to sell debt that investors might not want to buy. He emphasized that many people do not understand the complexities of debt management.
His comments come amid recent market volatility due to trade policy uncertainty, raising investor concerns about a potential trade war's impact on the global economy.
US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports effective today
US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports officially begin today, imposing a 25% duty on steel and a 10% duty on aluminium. This marks a significant change in US trade policy aimed at protecting domestic industries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Mauritius for National Day celebrations and bilateral talks. His visit highlights the strong ties between India and Mauritius, with plans to sign agreements on trade and cooperation.
US President Donald Trump will meet Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House to discuss US-Ireland relations and economic cooperation. This meeting occurs amid concerns about the impact of US trade policies on the Irish economy.
Semiconductor market to grow 9.5% in 2025
The semiconductor market is expected to grow by 9.5% in 2025, a decrease from earlier forecasts. While demand for AI and data center segments remains strong, traditional sectors like PCs and automotive are facing challenges due to price pressures.
Inventory levels have normalized after the Covid-19 crisis, but concerns about a slowdown in mature markets persist. Recent earnings reports have been disappointing, and some companies, like Samsung, have lowered their outlook for AI-driven demand.
The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics predicts 11.2% growth, driven by logic and memory microchips. However, the outlook for mature technology is less optimistic, particularly in Europe, where manufacturers focus on older technologies.
Source: https://think.ing.com/articles/expect-robust-semiconductor-demand-in-2025-but-not-in-all-segments/
China's EV sales surged 49% in February 2025
China led global electric vehicle (EV) purchases in February, with sales rising 49% year-on-year to 1.2 million. However, sales were down 3% compared to January, partly due to the timing of the Chinese New Year.
The European Union's tariffs on China-made EVs, imposed in late October, have negatively affected brands like MG and Honda. Sales growth for SAIC's cars in Europe dropped by 19% from late 2024 to early 2025.
Despite the tariffs, BYD is gaining market share in Europe. Overall, European EV sales increased by 19% in February, while North America's sales grew by 17%. Mexico's EV market more than doubled due to increased Chinese imports.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-leads-increased-ev-purchases-000602769.html
Trump radically reshapes U.S. foreign policy in 50 days
In just 50 days, President Trump has significantly altered U.S. foreign policy, moving away from traditional alliances and support for Ukraine. He has shifted U.S. votes to align with Russia and North Korea against allies.
Trump has also threatened control over territories like the Panama Canal and Canada, and imposed tariffs on allies, straining relationships within NATO. This has led some European nations to reconsider their defense strategies.
The changes mark a stark departure from the international system built over the last 80 years, raising concerns about the future of U.S. commitments to its allies.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/us/politics/trump-50-days-foreign-policy.html
Yale researchers make breakthroughs in nanowires and hearing
Yale researchers have made significant advancements in various scientific fields, including nanowire assembly, brain response to sound, and the use of AI in scientific writing. A new study identified specific genes responsible for assembling bacterial nanowires, which could have applications in bioenergy and environmental sensing.
In another study, researchers found that consciously perceived sounds activate broader brain areas compared to sounds that go unnoticed. This suggests shared mechanisms between auditory and visual perception, enhancing understanding of sensory processing in the brain.
Additionally, Yale studies explored heart imaging techniques and the biological basis of Tourette disorder. Researchers demonstrated that a lower-strength MRI could effectively assess heart health, while a single-cell analysis revealed cellular differences in Tourette patients, potentially guiding future research.
Source: https://news.yale.edu/2025/03/11/nanowires-ai-and-bit-selective-hearing
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