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- ⭐️ US debt reaches $36 trillion; foreign entities own quarter – May 20, 2025
⭐️ US debt reaches $36 trillion; foreign entities own quarter – May 20, 2025
Organizations fear AI's rapid change poses top security risk
Jack Roshi
May 20, 2025
Hi! It’s Jack and The Stock Insider team with the best, non-partisan daily newsletter related to politics, the US stock market, and business. 😇
The Podcast:
The Markets:
Fear & Greed Index: 70/100
🟢🟢🟢🟢🔴 The market is very greedy.
Global Indexes
Most major benchmarks eked out modest gains on 19 May; European indexes led, small-caps slipped, and the VIX ticked only fractionally higher.
🟢 Dow Jones: 42,792.07 (+137.33 | +0.32%)
🟢 S&P 500: 5,963.60 (+5.22 | +0.09%)
🟢 Nasdaq: 19,215.46 (+4.36 | +0.02%)
🔴 Small Cap 2000: 2,104.43 (-8.82 | -0.42%)
🟢 S&P 500 VIX: 18.17 (+0.03 | +0.17%)
🟢 S&P/TSX: 25,971.93 (+74.45 | +0.29%)
🟢 Bovespa: 139,636 (+449 | +0.32%)
🟢 S&P/BMV IPC: 58,493.39 (+506.25 | +0.87%)
🟢 MSCI World: 3,879.05 (+4.93 | +0.13%)
🟢 DAX: 24,063.07 (+157.02 | +0.66%)
🟢 FTSE 100: 8,749.78 (+50.47 | +0.58%)
🟢 CAC 40: 7,932.08 (+48.45 | +0.61%)
🟢 Euro Stoxx 50: 5,457.15 (+29.92 | +0.55%)
Forex & Bonds
The dollar slipped versus the euro and pound, gained on the yen, bitcoin eased, and Treasury yields crept higher along the curve.
🟢 EUR/USD: 1.1246 (+0.0005 | +0.05%)
🔴 USD/JPY: 144.58 (-0.28 | -0.19%)
🟢 GBP/USD: 1.3364 (+0.0003 | +0.02%)
🔴 BTC/USD: 105,214 (-517.90 | -0.49%)
🟢 5-Year Treasury Yield: 4.081 (+0.017 | +0.42%)
🟢 10-Year Treasury Yield: 4.475 (+0.034 | +0.77%)
🟢 30-Year Treasury Yield: 4.94 (+0.041 | +0.84%)
Major Movers
Healthcare led with UnitedHealth surging; big-tech performance was mixed, while Tesla and Equinor paced the losers.
🟢 UNH: +8.21%
🟢 MSFT: +1.01%
🟢 PFE: +0.74%
🟢 UBER: +0.73%
🟢 MCO: +0.65%
🟢 HMC: +0.31%
🟢 GOOG: +0.26%
🟢 GOOGL: +0.21%
🟢 BAC: +0.18%
🟢 NVDA: +0.13%
🔴 WMT: -0.12%
🔴 HD: -0.37%
🔴 JPM: -1.00%
🔴 AAPL: -1.17%
🔴 EQNR: -2.16%
🔴 TSLA: -2.25%
Interesting Stocks to Look at:
Most Interesting Events Today:
The U.S. trading day is dense with company-specific news, six scheduled Federal Reserve appearances, and a clutch of policy signals at home and abroad. Any one of these threads might tug on equity or rates pricing in an otherwise data-light session.
Corporate Earnings
Home Depot (HD) reports before the bell and holds its webcast at 09:00 ET. A 9 % revenue gain against tough DIY comps might set the retail tone for the day.
Pre-market releases also arrive from Elbit Systems, Avis Budget, Viking, H World, Eagle Materials, Bilibili, Vipshop, GDS, IHS, Hovnanian and ATRenew—covering defense, travel, housing materials and China consumer tech. Surprises here might widen sector dispersion.
Federal Reserve Communication
08:45 ET – Vice Chair Jefferson on liquidity facilities (Atlanta Fed conference).
08:30 ET – Boston Fed President Collins gives an economic-outlook talk.
09:00 ET – Richmond Fed President Barkin discusses rural growth in Roanoke.
14:00 ET – Atlanta Fed President Bostic joins a fireside chat at the Financial Markets Conference.
16:00 ET – Governor Kugler speaks on labor-market dynamics.
18:00 ET – San Francisco Fed President Daly appears at an evening community forum.
With no tier-one U.S. data, traders might key off any hint about balance-sheet runoff, timing of cuts, or tariff effects.
U.S. Data Releases
Redbook same-store sales (08:55 ET). A miss after Home Depot’s print might revive hard-landing chatter.
Treasury Operations
The Bureau of the Fiscal Service announces sizes for 17-, 8- and 4-week bill auctions (auction tomorrow, settlement May 27). Larger-than-expected sizes might push front-end yields higher.
Energy & Commodities
API weekly crude-oil stock (16:30 ET). Consensus whispers point to a −1.9 mb draw following last week’s +4.3 mb build; confirmation might lift WTI and inflation-breakeven pricing.
Light & Wonder Investor Day, New York (14:00 ET).
nCino Investor Day, Charlotte (13:00 ET).
Conduent virtual annual shareholder meeting (10:30 ET). Updates on gaming capex, bank IT spend and turnaround plans might ripple into related small-cap niches.
Global & Policy Drivers
Reserve Bank of Australia cut its cash rate 25 bp to 3.85 % overnight; a weaker AUD might bleed into dollar flows and U.S. multinational earnings assumptions.
G-7 finance ministers open a three-day meeting in Québec; any currency-coordination language might sway FX-sensitive sectors.
U.S.–Vietnam trade negotiations begin a new Washington round; resolution could decide whether a 46 % tariff snaps back in July, influencing semiconductor and apparel supply chains.
Session Road Map
Pre-market (06:00-09:30) – Home Depot earnings; Jefferson, Barkin, Collins; Redbook.
Mid-day (13:00-15:00) – nCino and Light & Wonder investor updates; Treasury bill announcements.
Late-day (16:00 ET onward) – Kugler remarks; Daly forum; API crude data.
Bottom Line
Absent marquee macro data, micro releases hand the baton to policy chatter: big-box retail results frame consumer strength, six Fed voices recalibrate rate-cut odds, Treasury supply resets liquidity expectations, and crude-stock figures refine the inflation backdrop. Overseas, an RBA cut and G-7 deliberations add external cross-currents that might steer U.S. risk appetite through the close.
Sources
Most Impactful News Summaries:
Cybersecurity training for developers declines despite rising threats
A new report reveals a concerning decline in developer training for cybersecurity, despite rising threats and the increasing use of AI in software development. Companies are cutting back on essential security tools and training.
The Snyk report shows a significant drop in organizations training developers on supply chain vulnerabilities, from 53% to 35%. This trend occurs amidst growing AI-driven threats and complex supply chain risks, potentially leaving teams unprepared.
This decline in training, coupled with struggles to adopt basic security measures, raises concerns about the industry's ability to adapt to evolving threats. The article emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize training and implement fundamental security practices.
US tariffs make global exporters pessimistic about revenue
New US tariffs are causing significant pessimism among global exporters, with 42% anticipating a decline in export revenues.
A recent survey of 4,500 exporters across nine countries, including the US, Germany, and China, revealed a dramatic shift in sentiment after the tariffs were announced on April 2. Before the tariffs, only 5% of companies predicted a revenue decrease.
Allianz Trade estimates global export losses of $305 billion in 2025. German exporters, particularly concerned about protectionism, are among the most negatively affected.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-tariffs-dampen-mood-global-exporters-study-shows-2025-05-20/
US debt reaches $36 trillion; foreign entities own quarter
The US national debt has reached $36.2 trillion, a quarter of which is held by foreign entities, raising concerns about the nation's fiscal stability.
This debt, representing 122% of the US's annual economic output, is growing by approximately $1 trillion every three months. The recent approval of a tax cut bill, potentially adding $5 trillion, has deepened worries following a credit rating downgrade.
The debt is held domestically by US investors and government agencies, with the remaining portion held by foreign countries like Japan and the United Kingdom. High debt can impact public spending and potentially lead to higher taxes and interest rates.
Organizations fear AI's rapid change poses top security risk
A new Thales report reveals that nearly 70% of organizations identify the fast-moving AI ecosystem as the top security risk related to AI adoption.
The 2025 Thales Data Threat Report also found that 73% of organizations are investing in AI-specific security tools. Malware remains the top attack type, while phishing has risen to second place, and ransomware is now third.
Furthermore, 60% of respondents are concerned about future decryption of today's data due to quantum computing advancements. The report surveyed over 3,100 IT and security professionals across 20 countries.
Gas producers tout fuel as emissions solution in Beijing
Leading natural gas producers are promoting their fuel as a key solution for countries aiming to reduce emissions while integrating renewable energy sources. They argue gas can complement renewables.
These producers, speaking at the World Gas Conference in Beijing, highlighted that burning gas emits significantly less greenhouse gases than coal. They emphasized the need to lower costs to compete with coal in emerging markets.
While some environmentalists disagree, gas companies are exploring long-term solutions like ammonia and hydrogen. They suggest incremental steps to reduce emissions are beneficial until these alternatives are viable.
Abu Dhabi builds world's first AI city
Abu Dhabi announced plans to build Aion Sentia, the world's first AI-native city, with a $3.3 billion investment. The project aims to integrate AI across all aspects of urban life.
Scheduled for completion by 2027, Aion Sentia will feature AI-driven systems for transportation, healthcare, and governance. The city is designed to be a hub for AI innovation and sustainable development, contributing billions to the local economy.
The initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and will involve partnerships with leading institutions. This project positions Abu Dhabi as a leader in technological innovation and a model for future cities.
China will implement economic policies by June's end
China aims to implement most job and economic stabilization policies by the end of June, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
The NDRC spokesperson also stated China will increase efforts to attract foreign investment, citing steady growth in consumption, investment, and resilient exports despite external pressures.
The announcement comes amid ongoing economic uncertainties, with the NDRC highlighting the need for continued efforts to support economic stability and growth.
US's ZEUS laser achieves record-breaking 2 petawatt power
The University of Michigan's ZEUS laser facility has become the most powerful laser in the U.S., achieving a peak power of 2 petawatts. This milestone opens doors for groundbreaking research across various scientific fields.
The NSF-funded ZEUS laser, with its immense power lasting only 25 quintillionths of a second, will enable research in medicine, national security, and materials science. It will also allow scientists to explore unexplored territories in high-field science.
ZEUS is a user facility, allowing researchers worldwide to propose experiments. Scientists aim to produce high-energy electron beams, potentially revolutionizing fields like astrophysics and quantum physics.
Pentagon estimates "Golden Dome" defense system will cost billions
The Pentagon has presented the White House with options for developing a "Golden Dome" missile defense system, potentially costing hundreds of billions of dollars. President Trump is expected to announce his preferred choice and price in the coming days.
The proposed system aims to protect the United States from long-range strikes. The project will likely involve numerous private sector companies, including SpaceX, competing for lucrative contracts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the system could cost over $500 billion over 20 years.
The "Golden Dome" project faces technological and financial hurdles. The system would need to integrate approximately 100 programs, with command and control being the primary new element. The project has already faced delays, raising questions about its feasibility and management.
Senate progresses crypto bill after Democrats change position
The Senate voted to advance a cryptocurrency regulation bill, overcoming Democratic objections and paving the way for potential passage. This move creates a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
The bill's revival followed a shift in support from some Democrats who previously blocked it, citing concerns about potential financial benefits for former President Trump. The vote was 66-32, with sixteen Democrats joining Republicans.
The legislation, backed by the crypto industry, faces similar challenges in the House. Democrats sought stronger consumer protections, but Republicans resisted measures limiting Trump's involvement.
China cuts lending rates to boost economic growth
China's central bank lowered its key lending rates on Tuesday, the first cut in seven months, aiming to stimulate economic growth. The 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates were reduced by 10 basis points each.
This move follows a series of stimulus measures and comes amid trade tensions and deflationary pressures. The rate cuts are intended to boost lending and support the economy as Beijing strives to meet its growth targets.
The cuts occurred after a meeting between U.S. and Chinese trade representatives led to reduced tariffs. Economists anticipate further stimulus, though at a slower pace, due to ongoing economic challenges.