US stocks made a comeback

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Welcome to The Global Hustlr, your weekly guide to Wall Street’s biggest stories, simplified for driven African professionals. 

Each issue breaks down the latest market moves into practical tips you can use to grow your wealth—no matter where you call home.

Let’s dive into this week’s market updates.

☕️ Quick Brew: This Week’s Market Pulse

The Big Stories

This week, US stocks made a wild comeback. After last week’s big sell-off, markets shook off the panic. 

For the trading week, all three major indices were higher

• The S&P 500 is up 2.4%.

• The Dow is up 1.3%.

• The Nasdaq is up 3.9%.

Why? 

• Traders expect the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates in September, with confidence rising above 95% after disappointing job data.
   

• Apple announced it will invest $100 billion in US manufacturing, while Palantir’s strong performance pushed its stock price higher.
  

• Fresh tariffs from the Trump administration took effect Thursday , affecting multiple countries and boosting trade tension worldwide. This caused more swings in global markets, with investors turning to safer options like gold.
  

• Gold prices climbed as new tariffs raised costs for US gold bar imports. President Donald Trump has imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss exports to the U.S. Switzerland is the largest refiner of gold in the world. 
  

• Gold futures hit a new all-time high of $3,534.10 on Friday. The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) rose 11.65% on the week, and pacing for its best weekly performance since April 11. Year to date, the ETF has risen nearly 73%.

• Apple announced a massive $100 billion commitment to support US manufacturing.
  This move shows the company’s strong belief in the American economy and hints at more tech job opportunities staying domestic.
  

• A disappointing US jobs report showed just 73,000 new jobs in the latest month, well below the expectation of 106,000.
  This pushed chances of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September to over 95%. Utilities and bonds, which react to rate changes, saw strong gains.
  

• Palantir smashed expectations again, crossing $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, up 48% Y/Y and $61 million ahead of estimates. 
  

• Total US revenue grew 68% to $733 million, cementing the US as Palantir’s growth engine, even as the company cements itself as a leader at the intersection of defense and enterprise AI.
  

  

What Could Happen Next? Risk Watch & Forward Scenarios

• If the Fed lowers rates in September as most investors expect, stocks could reach new highs, especially in tech, finance, and real estate.
  

• Tariffs are still a big risk. If trade talks break down or more countries respond with their own tariffs, markets will likely get jumpy. In that case, gold, defense, and cybersecurity stocks can help protect your portfolio.
  

• Even if the market looks strong now, big swings are still possible. Quick changes in news or weak company earnings could cause sharp moves.
  

• For investors in Africa, focus on quality stocks, add some gold and bonds for balance, and avoid any hype. Always think about growing your money for the long term, not just the next few months.

Which US sectors look best if a September Fed cut materializes

• If a September Fed rate cut materializes, growth sectors like technology and consumer discretionary, rate-sensitive sectors like homebuilders and real estate, as well as defensive sectors like utilities, tend to do well after a Fed rate cut.
  However, some gains might already be priced in, so investors should watch valuations and economic signals carefully.
  

• For African investors eyeing US markets, focusing on a diversified mix of these sectors could capitalize on a September Fed cut scenario while managing risk.

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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.