Amazon’s earnings blew past expectations

👋 Hey Hustlrs,

This week brought powerful market moves and new records. Amazon’s earnings blew past expectations, driving tech stocks higher. 

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, calming markets. Nvidia’s AI surge caught everyone’s attention. Plus, Trump and Xi reignited trade talks, easing global tensions. 

Let’s unpack what moved markets and what you need to watch next — clear, simple, and actionable.

☕️ Quick Brew: This Week’s Market Pulse

📈 Amazon shares soared 10.8%, lifting tech.
🛑 Fed paused rate hikes, easing investor anxiety.
⚡ Nvidia reached a new market value high on AI demand.
🤝 Trump and Xi agreed to restart trade talks.
📊 Small-cap stocks rebounded 0.6%, signaling renewed risk appetite.
⛏ Gold dropped 6% as investors moved back into stocks.
₿ Bitcoin bounced back near $111,000 after a midweek dip.

🔑 The Big Stories

Overall, U.S. equities finished on a positive note for the week, with the S&P 500 rising 1.01% and the Nasdaq 100 gaining 2.17%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also posted a healthy 1.61% increase, while the smaller-cap Russell 2000 ETF bucked the trend and slipped 1.43%.

Amazon’s AI Earnings Spike
Alphabet and Amazon both impressed investors with strong revenue reports fueled by robust growth in AI developments and cloud services, fueling a wave of bullishness in the sector

Amazon smashed forecasts with 12% revenue growth to $180.2 billion in Q3, powered by a 20% jump in AWS cloud sales. 

AWS drives most of Amazon’s profits—its fast growth shows how AI investments are paying off. 

Apple shares climbed 3.5% for the week, driven by strong demand for the iPhone 17 and renewed excitement about the company’s investments in AI infrastructure.

Not all tech names fared well, though. Meta Platforms suffered a sharp 12% drop, weighed down by disappointing results from its Reality Labs segment and a hit to overall profitability from tax expenses. 

📌 Why it matters: Amazon’s AI cloud strength means big tech profits are growing from real innovation. African investors tapping AI-driven firms can benefit from decades of growth ahead.

Fed Signals Patience
The Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates is stirring up debate—and the market is feeling it. 

The next rate decision is set for December 10, and FedWatch currently puts the odds of another 25-basis-point cut at around 63%. 

But Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently reminded us that a December rate cut isn’t guaranteed, citing split opinions within the Fed’s ranks.
📌 Why it matters: Stable rates create a friendlier investing climate globally, especially for Africans exposed to U.S. markets via stocks and ETFs.

Nvidia Hits New Heights
Nvidia surged to a record market value, driven by strong demand for AI chips in data centers and cloud services. The company’s growth reflects the booming AI tech industry that’s transforming businesses worldwide.
📌 Why it matters: Nvidia is a key player in the AI revolution. Holding ETFs or stocks aligned with AI can lead to long-term gains.

Trade Talks Ease Fears
At a summit in South Korea, President Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping agreed to restart trade negotiations. 

This softened fears of new tariffs and boosted investor confidence around global trade stability.

📌 Why it matters: Improved U.S.–China relations reduce risks for global supply chains and multinational companies — a positive for emerging markets linked to these economies, including many African exporters.

Small Caps Break Out
The Russell 2000 index increased by 0.6%, ending weeks of weakness. This rise shows investors’ growing appetite for risk and confidence in smaller U.S. companies’ growth prospects.
📌 Why it matters: Diversifying with small caps can uncover opportunities beyond the mega-cap tech stocks, fitting for a balanced portfolio.

Gold Pulls Back
Gold prices fell by about 6% as investors rotated from safe-haven assets back into growth-oriented stocks. 

This shows renewed confidence in equities but reminds investors to balance their portfolios, as risks haven’t vanished completely.

📌 Why it matters: While gold remains useful as a hedge, the pullback signals rising optimism—but also possible volatility ahead.

Bitcoin Holds Firm
Bitcoin bounced back to near $111,000 after a midweek sell-off. As a volatile yet increasingly accepted asset, Bitcoin continues to attract interest from those seeking portfolio diversification outside traditional stocks and bonds.
📌 Why it matters: Crypto’s ups and downs offer both opportunities and risks, especially for investors exploring alternative assets beyond mainstream markets.

💡 What This Means for Your Portfolio

• Focus on tech and AI ETFs featuring leaders like Amazon and Nvidia to ride innovation waves.

• Watch Fed updates closely—their steady approach supports stocks but inflation surprises may shift direction.

• Add small-cap ETFs for portfolio diversification and access to U.S. domestic growth.

• Use gold to hedge volatility; consider Bitcoin for alternative portfolio exposure, but manage risk carefully.

• Stay alert to global trade developments, as they affect multinational companies and emerging markets tied to U.S. trade.

📣 Final Sip

Investing is a long game, Hustlrs. Stay patient, keep learning, and let disciplined investing convert today’s progress into lasting wealth.

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This newsletter is strictly educational and not investment advice. The content provided does not constitute personal advice or a personal recommendation. No content should be relied upon as constituting personal advice or a personal recommendation when making your decisions. If you require any personal advice or recommendations, please speak to an independent qualified financial adviser