US Stocks Hit New Highs, Earnings Surge & What It Means for You

Hey Hustlrs 👋,

This is The Global Hustlr, the newsletter where we break down Wall Street’s major weekly events into bite-sized, actionable lessons for ambitious African professionals—because your wealth doesn’t need a local postcode!

Let’s jump into the markets…with your favorite brew in hand.

☕️ Quick Brew: This Week’s Market Pulse

• US stocks blasted past old limits: The S&P 500 set record closing highs every single day this week. 

• Earnings season is HOT: 82% of S&P 500 companies have crushed Wall Street’s expectations. —much better than predicted just a few weeks back.

• Alphabet (Google): AI fears? Google laughs: Search and cloud revenues at all-time Q2 highs. Stock up. Optimism up.

• Tesla: Bump in the road: Revenue down 12% YoY. The biggest drop since 2012. Car sales fell short. Time for a tune-up.

• Fed Watch: Trump visited the US Federal Reserve—chill vibes, no one got fired. Rate decisions land next week. Expectations? No cut, but all ears on Powell’s remarks.

• Trade Drama: Fresh deals inked with Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the EU on deck. Next: China talks.

• Crypto shakeup: Altcoins are on fire, finally outperforming Bitcoin. Ethereum is leading the digital gold rush.

The Big Stories

1. The S&P 500’s Perfect Week

The S&P 500 notched new record highs five days in a row. The index has rebounded an astonishing 28% since hitting bear market lows on April 8, 2025. That’s a rally for the record books, second only to the 1982 bull burst.

2. US Companies Beat Expectations

• Earnings usually come with surprises, but this year’s second quarter is extra bright. So far, 82% of S&P 500 companies who reported numbers beat what Wall Street expected. With just over a third of companies checked in, profit growth is outpacing predictions—up to 6.4% so far, better than June’s 5% forecast. Fears about tariffs didn’t stop many companies from posting strong results.

• What’s the buzz? Corporate America is shrugging off trade tariffs and global uncertainty—and profits are rolling in.

3. Alphabet (Google): Flexes Hard

Alphabet Flies, Tesla Slips

• Google’s parent, Alphabet, crushed it once again. Search revenues grew despite doubts around AI, and ad money rolled in. Net income hit a new record as Google’s cloud business jumped 32%. It’s a signal that the tech giants can keep growing, even as the market shifts.

• Takeaway: Despite all the hype about AI disrupting search, Google’s core business is still printing money.

4. Tesla: Stuck in Reverse

• Tesla, on the other hand, had a tough quarter. Revenues fell 12% over last year—its worst drop since 2012. Auto sales slipped 16% and failed to meet forecasts, underlining deeper questions about the electric car market.

• CEO Elon Musk’s warning: “Rough quarters ahead.” But a new affordable Tesla is coming late 2025, so keep your seatbelts fastened.

5. Fed: No Shocks, No Big Moves (Yet)

• All eyes were on the Fed as Trump made a rare visit. The meeting ended quietly. President Trump reassured the market that he won’t shake up central bank leadership. The Fed sounded calm about policy. No hint of interest rate cuts next week, but traders are glued to every word from Chair Powell about inflation and trade.

6. Trade Deals Galore

• Japan: Landmark deal—Japanese exporters hit with a 15% tariff instead of the threatened 25%, and Japan pledges $550B investment into the US.

• Indonesia/Philippines: Barriers falling. US goods win “unprecedented access” to Indonesian markets, and the Philippines faces a new 19% tariff.

• EU/China: More headlines expected before Trump’s August 1 tariff decisions.

7. Crypto Market: Capital Rotation

• Beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH) is currently the hottest crypto in July 2025, showing strong bullish momentum and institutional interest. 

• Bitcoin dominance drops (from 65% to 61%): Altcoins, led by Ethereum (+2.4%), are getting all the love, signaling a fresh “alt season.”

• Altcoin market cap surged 46% in the last month. Stablecoins are pouring into exchanges—a sign of massive liquidity ready to chase gains

• Ethereum has gained over 26% last week alone and is up more than 50% for July — its best monthly performance in three years. It recently hit $3,812, its highest since December 2024, with record ETF inflows, especially via BlackRock’s Ether ETF, have driven renewed buying from institutions. 

• Analysts expect ETH to test and potentially break above the $4,000 psychological level soon, with many forecasting targets as high as $4,000 to $4,300 by early August, and some long-term outlooks even suggesting $10,000 or more by year-end 2025.

Which crypto is next after Ethereum?

• After Ethereum, the next hottest cryptocurrencies in July 2025 are Solana (SOL) and XRP (Ripple), both showing strong momentum and buzz in the current cycle.

Summary Table: Most Notable Cryptos After Ethereum (July 2025)

• However, as with all crypto investments, volatility remains high, so managing risk is essential.

Why Does This Matter?

• If you’ve ever needed proof that disciplined, diversified investing in the US stock market works, this is it. Past bear markets—even painful ones—can lead to epic rallies. Historically, staying IN the market, rather than sitting on the sidelines, is the long-term strategy.

•  Corporate earnings fuel long-term gains: Global giants like Alphabet keep advancing—cloud, search, and AI propel the US tech sector forward.

• Trade shifts influence markets: New deals can create fresh opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, and technology.

• Crypto: Don’t overlook diversification. Bitcoin isn’t the only cryptocurrency to watch—funds are flowing into Ethereum and altcoins. Explore, but stay cautious of hype!

What Could Happen Next? (Risk Watch & Scenarios)

• Fed Rate Drama: If inflation data softens and Powell hints at rate cuts, the market may surge again. But a more hawkish Fed could spook stocks short term.

• Trade Tensions: A failed tariff deal with the EU or China could mean more market volatility—especially for companies dependent on global supply chains.

• Earnings Surprises: Next week’s heavyweights in tech could set the tone for August—big beats could keep bullish momentum going; a few big misses could spark a correction.

• Crypto Risks: Capital rotation into altcoins can turn fast! Remember 2022? Gains evaporate quickly if sentiment reverses. Only invest what you can afford to lose.

Your Move: Take Action

1. Think global, invest globally: African investors are uniquely positioned to benefit from dollar-denominated returns in US stocks. You’re not late—you’re right on time.

2. Stick to your plan: Volatility is normal. Focus on diversified ETFs, S&P 500 trackers, and solid US tech names like Alphabet.

3. Stay sharp, stay educated: Financial literacy unlocks wealth! If you learned something new from today’s newsletter, remember…

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

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The Global Hustlr Team!

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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.