US stocks are showing surprising resilience as Wall Street increasingly abandons expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Several major financial institutions have recently pushed back their forecasts for monetary easing, with some now expecting the Federal Reserve to leave rates unchanged throughout 2026.
Yet despite the more hawkish outlook, strategists remain broadly constructive on equities, particularly in the United States.
Standard Chartered, in its second-half 2026 investment outlook published on June 19, said it remains overweight global equities, with a preference for US and Asia ex-Japan stocks.
The bank forecasts the Federal Funds rate will remain in a range of 3.5% to 3.75% through the remainder of 2026, with only a single 25-basis-point cut expected in the first half of 2027.
The bank expects strong corporate earnings and continued economic resilience to support markets despite elevated borrowing costs. It forecasts the S&P 500 will reach 7,950 by mid-2027.
Standard Chartered said the US economy is performing better than many had feared, with second-quarter growth tracking around 2.2% on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis.
Full-year growth is expected to average approximately 2.1%, supported by artificial intelligence-related capital expenditure, a recovering labor market, and increased manufacturing activity.
The constructive outlook for equities comes even as investors adjust to a Federal Reserve that appears increasingly reluctant to ease policy.
Goldman Sachs recently pushed its forecast for the next Fed rate cuts into 2027.
The bank now expects policymakers to leave rates unchanged throughout 2026 before delivering reductions in June and December 2027.
The revision followed stronger-than-expected labor market data and reflects expectations that economic growth and inflation pressures will remain firm.
Citigroup has also delayed its expected easing timeline. The bank now forecasts rate cuts in October and December 2026, followed by another reduction in January 2027, after previously expecting cuts to begin in September.
Meanwhile, UBS Global Wealth Management has shifted its first expected rate cut into 2027, forecasting reductions in March and June next year rather than cuts beginning later this year.
The revisions come after Federal Reserve policymakers signaled a more cautious stance on inflation, prompting investors to reassess expectations that lower rates would arrive quickly.
While equities have largely absorbed the hawkish shift, other asset classes have been less resilient.
Bitcoin was trading near $62,000 on Friday after falling from above $67,000 earlier in the week.
The cryptocurrency has struggled to regain momentum even as stocks recovered, reflecting the pressure that higher interest rates place on speculative assets.
Higher borrowing costs typically reduce the attractiveness of assets that do not generate income, particularly when yields on cash and fixed-income investments remain elevated.
Gold has also weakened. Futures recently fell 1.8% to around $4,173 an ounce after trading above $4,350 earlier in the week.
Rising real yields and a stronger dollar have weighed on demand for the precious metal, which offers no yield to investors.
The divergence has become increasingly pronounced. While stocks continue pushing toward record highs, both Bitcoin and gold have struggled to maintain gains as markets price in a longer period of restrictive monetary policy.
Rather than relying on lower interest rates to justify higher valuations, investors appear increasingly focused on earnings growth and corporate spending trends.
Artificial intelligence investment remains one of the strongest drivers of capital expenditure across the US economy, supporting demand across technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.
Markets briefly wobbled following Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting, which underscored policymakers’ concerns about inflation.
However, equities quickly recovered, aided by optimism surrounding an agreement between the United States and Iran that could help stabilize energy markets through the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Wall Street’s message appears increasingly clear: rate cuts may be further away than previously expected, but many strategists believe strong earnings growth, economic resilience, and continued AI investment can keep supporting equities even in a higher-rate environment.
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]]>Story Highlights The live price of the Cardano token is . Cardano price could see a potential upside toward $5.00 by the end of 2026. ADA’s long-term expansion scenario points toward $350.00 by 2030. Cardano (ADA), one of the most research-driven Layer-1 blockchains, is now entering a critical phase of execution after years of development-focused …
]]>SpaceX shares have soared following their blockbuster IPO debut, rising as much as 67% above the $135 offer price and pushing the stock to $225 before recent pullbacks.
Despite the strong early performance, attention is now shifting toward the company’s staggered lockup schedule, which could introduce significant new supply into a tightly held market.
The stock’s early rally has been driven in part by supply-demand imbalances, with only about 639 million shares currently available for trading out of more than 13 billion outstanding shares.
That scarcity has helped amplify volatility and push valuations higher in the immediate post-listing period.
However, analysts and market participants are now focusing on how upcoming unlock events may change that dynamic.
Unlike traditional IPOs that typically impose a 180-day lockup period, SpaceX has implemented a staggered release structure for insider and early investor shares.
According to the IPO framework, share unlocks begin after the company’s first quarterly earnings report, expected in late July or early August.
At that point, 20% of the stock becomes available for sale, with the potential for up to 30% if the stock remains above $175.
Additional tranches follow, including 7% releases on Aug. 20, Sept. 9, Oct. 9, and Oct. 24.
A further 28% unlocks after second-quarter earnings, with the final portion released after Dec. 8, marking the end of the 180-day period.
The structure is designed to disperse the selling from pre IPO shareholders, rather than allowing a single wave of stock to hit the market.
However, the increased supply of shares can still weigh on price action.
Trading research firm AgentSmyth recently observed elevated activity in September put options on SpaceX, suggesting traders are positioning for potential downside moves as additional shares become available for trading following the company’s first quarterly earnings report.
Historical precedents from other IPOs underscore the risk.
Shares of Rivian fell 21% around its lockup expiration in 2022, while Reddit also saw declines ahead of its performance-based lockup release before later stabilizing.
Despite concerns around supply, several factors could counterbalance potential downside pressure.
SpaceX is set to join the Nasdaq-100 under a fast-entry rule, allowing index inclusion after just 15 days of trading.
Analysts expect this to trigger $7 billion to $10 billion in forced buying from passive funds tracking the benchmark.
Additionally, trading activity in options and ETFs has already begun influencing price action.
The debut of stock options has created hedging flows that can amplify upward momentum, while leveraged ETF products such as the Direxion SpaceX Bull 2x are expected to generate additional forced buying.
While short-term volatility is likely to be shaped by staggered unlocks and trading flows, longer-term valuation will depend on earnings and growth expectations.
Expectations remain high, including Musk’s previously stated $1 trillion revenue target by 2031.
For now, however, investors are weighing whether rising share supply from lockup expirations will cool momentum in a stock that has already experienced extreme early gains and rapid shifts in sentiment.
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]]>Semiconductor stocks now account for a record 18.8% of the S&P 500’s market capitalization, more than triple their share in 2022. The increase follows a 546% rally in the SOX semiconductor index, fueled by strong demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. The concentration matters because semiconductor companies now represent a larger portion of the index than …
]]>QuantumScape (QS) shares are ripping higher on June 18th as investors react to a major new OEM partnership.
The solid-state battery pioneer announced a multi-year joint research agreement with Honda R&D to co-develop next-gen lithium-metal battery platform architectures and manufacturing processes.
And while QuantumScape stock is already up some 15% following the announcement, a solid case can be made that longer-term implications of this agreement are far more bullish than the market realizes.
The Honda partnership is particularly bullish for QS shares because it isn’t just an “exploratory” memorandum of understanding (MoU).
In fact, the joint research deal actually follows the successful completion of a formal technology evaluation agreement; the Japanese conglomerate conducted hands-on technical studies and competitive benchmarking.
For an OEM like Honda to explicitly say the technology demonstrated “compelling and unique advantages” means QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal platform passed a highly restrictive gauntlet.
Honda’s validation shifts QS from the realm of “speculative” lab tech into a commercially vetted asset.
Passing a legacy titan’s strict benchmarking proves that the firm’s proprietary ceramic separator can handle real-world stress, effectively de-risking the tech in the eyes of the broader automotive industry.
Until recently, the major bear case against QuantumScape shares was its heavy reliance on the Volkswagen (via PowerCo).
By bringing Honda officially into a multi-year development and manufacturing process plan, QS proves it can capture multiple global OEMs; it transforms the company from a VW-captive project into a true independent industry standard-bearer.
A subtle but vital note in the press release came from Atsushi Ogawa (COO of Honda R&D), who said there’s potential “across a range of applications, including automotive.”
Honda is a powerhouse in motorcycles, aviation (HondaJet), and power equipment, and solid-state benefits – higher energy density, lower weight, and rapid charging – are arguably more valuable in aviation and small-scale mobility than standard passenger vehicles.
This dramatically widens QuantumScape’s total addressable market and positions the company as a cross‑sector electrification supplier rather than a single‑OEM battery bet.
Ultimately, the Honda agreement represents a fundamental pivot point for QS stock, lifting it out of its single-customer silo and validating its tech on a global stage.
The market is currently treating this as a fleeting, headline-driven momentum, but the structural implications run far deeper.
By proving its proprietary tech can meet the stringent demands of multiple top-tier OEMs – and unlocking massive potential addressable markets in aviation and micro-mobility – QuantumScape is effectively rewriting its long-term bull case.
For investors looking past the immediate double-digit rally, this partnership sets a resilient new floor for the company’s valuation as next-gen electrification edges closer to commercial reality.
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]]>The optimism surrounding Bitcoin price has taken a serious hit in 2026, and the charts aren’t exactly offering much comfort. After reaching an all-time high near $126,296 in October 2025, the market entered a correction phase that appears to be following a historical pattern with uncomfortable precision. What’s making traders nervous isn’t merely the decline …
]]>Nvidia stock (NVDA) edged lower on Wednesday, continuing a recent stretch of underperformance relative to other semiconductor stocks.
Shares of the chipmaker fell 0.5% to $206.91 in early trading after declining 2.4% during Tuesday’s session.
The weakness contrasted with gains elsewhere in the semiconductor sector.
Advanced Micro Devices and Intel each rose roughly 3%, while Broadcom advanced about 6%.
Meanwhile, the broader market was mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 252 points, or 0.5%, and reached another all-time intraday high.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite traded near flat as investors monitored oil prices and awaited the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy decision
Despite remaining one of the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence boom, Nvidia has lagged many semiconductor peers in recent months.
Through Tuesday’s close, Nvidia shares were up 11% for the year. By comparison, the PHLX Semiconductor Index had gained 88% over the same period.
Investors increasingly appear focused on how spending on AI infrastructure is being distributed across a broader group of companies rather than concentrating solely on Nvidia’s graphics processing units.
Initially, Nvidia’s primary challenge came from rival GPU maker Advanced Micro Devices.
However, competition has expanded to include custom chip developers as well as companies focused on central processing units and specialized AI hardware.
Large technology companies that have traditionally been among Nvidia’s biggest customers are increasingly investing in internally developed chips as they seek to lower the cost of AI infrastructure deployments.
Microsoft and Meta Platforms have both continued investing heavily in data centers and AI infrastructure, prompting closer scrutiny of capital spending levels across the industry.
Epoch AI researcher Isabel Juniewicz said in a post on Tuesday that spending trends among hyperscale cloud providers remain significant.
“While the exact point at which cash capex will exceed inflows varies by company, aggregate cash capex across hyperscalers is on track to overtake operating cash flow around Q3 2026,” Juniewicz wrote.
Despite growing competitive pressures, some analysts remain optimistic about Nvidia’s long-term prospects.
According to Morning View’s analysis, Nvidia remains at the center of the global AI ecosystem and continues to benefit from what it described as a once-in-a-century AI infrastructure buildout.
The firm said it does not expect a meaningful slowdown in AI demand and believes Nvidia’s leadership position in AI infrastructure remains secure.
Morning View expects Nvidia’s AI GPU systems business to continue growing strongly through 2026 and 2027, supported by ongoing investments from major customers.
At the same time, the analysis acknowledged that Google and Amazon are likely to capture a larger share of future AI hardware spending through their proprietary chips.
Morning View said it expects Nvidia’s market share of AI infrastructure spending to decline over time but remain dominant, projecting the company will hold approximately 68% market share by 2030, compared with roughly 80% today.
Morningstar’s fair value estimate for Nvidia stands at $280 per share.
The firm said a bull-case scenario could support a valuation of $420 per share if Nvidia maintains its market share and reaches approximately $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2030.
Conversely, Morningstar estimates a downside fair value of $180 per share if AI demand disappoints or if the market shifts more aggressively toward alternative processing architectures.
NVDA’s recent rebound appears to be losing momentum, with shares retreating toward the $206 level after failing to sustain a breakout above the $210-$212 resistance zone.
Technical indicators suggest near-term weakness remains intact.
The RSI has slipped below 40, indicating deteriorating momentum, while the MACD remains in negative territory despite signs that downside pressure is easing.
Price action also continues to produce lower highs following the mid-June bounce.
For now, the stock appears range-bound between support around $202-$206 and resistance near $210-$212.
A move above the upper end of that range would suggest buyers are regaining control, while a break below support could signal a deeper pullback.
Overall, the chart points to a cautious, neutral-to-bearish short-term outlook rather than a clear trend reversal.
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]]>The old argument, everyone knows that stock markets are just glorified casinos, is back again with the addition of prediction markets. However, this time it drew a response from David Schwartz, the former Ripple CTO and current CTO emeritus, who pushed back against the comparison in a discussion on X. On June 17, 2026, Schwartz …
]]>Intel stock (INTC) tumbled more than 6% on Tuesday as a broad technology selloff swept through markets, interrupting one of the strongest rallies in the semiconductor sector this year.
The decline came as investors appeared to reduce exposure to high-flying technology stocks ahead of the first Federal Reserve interest-rate decision under Chair Kevin Warsh.
The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5%, weighed down by weakness across major technology names.
Advanced Micro Devices declined more than 4%, Broadcom lost over 3%, and Nvidia, Tesla, and Microsoft each fell more than 1%.
Despite the sharp pullback, Intel remains one of the semiconductor sector’s strongest performers in 2026.
The stock has gained more than 200% during the past six months and continues to trade near the upper end of its 52-week range.
Tuesday’s decline came as a rally that had pushed major indexes toward record highs began to lose momentum.
While most stocks within the S&P 500 traded higher, weakness in large-cap technology shares weighed on the Nasdaq.
At the same time, falling oil prices helped push bond yields lower.
Brent crude briefly dropped below $80 per barrel amid expectations that global energy supplies could increase.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average moved closer to record territory.
The latest pullback comes less than a week after Intel received a significant endorsement from Bank of America.
Last Thursday, BofA Securities analyst Vivek Arya upgraded Intel shares to Buy from Underperform, bypassing the firm’s Neutral rating.
Arya also raised his price target to $135 from $96.
In a note to clients, Arya said growing confidence in Intel’s ability to capitalize on opportunities in server central processing units and semiconductor manufacturing services had led the firm to raise its sales and earnings forecasts.
According to BofA, Intel’s server CPU business could generate approximately $40 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
The firm estimates the total addressable market for server CPUs could reach roughly $170 billion by the end of the decade, implying Intel could capture about one-quarter of the market.
Intel’s resurgence has been closely tied to growing investor enthusiasm surrounding server CPUs and their role in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
While graphics processing units remain central to AI model training, many investors increasingly view CPUs as critical components of the expanding AI ecosystem, particularly as agentic AI applications require greater coordination, orchestration, and system management capabilities.
That shift has helped improve sentiment toward Intel after years of lagging competitors in the AI race.
BofA also highlighted Intel’s foundry business as an increasingly important source of future growth.
The segment, which was widely viewed as a major challenge for the company as recently as last year, remains unprofitable but is showing signs of gaining traction with customers.
According to the firm’s analysis, Intel is currently negotiating manufacturing agreements with several major technology companies, including Apple and Elon Musk’s Terafab project.
BofA argued that Intel remains under-owned by institutional investors despite its substantial market capitalization.
The firm noted that only 16% of major funds currently hold Intel shares, making it one of the least-owned semiconductor stocks within the S&P 500.
Only Sandisk has lower ownership among major semiconductor companies tracked by the firm.
Institutional ownership increased by approximately 3% from the prior month, but BofA believes there remains significant room for additional investors to establish positions.
The firm said broader ownership could become an important driver of future gains if more fund managers begin adding Intel shares to portfolios.
While the bullish outlook is not without risks—including increased competition from rivals such as Arm Holdings and the possibility of slower AI spending growth—BofA’s rare double upgrade underscored growing confidence that Intel’s turnaround remains intact.
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]]>The crypto market is down 1.33% to $2.25 trillion in 24 hours. Bitcoin trades at $65,816, down 2.05% on the day, Ethereum fell 3.34% to $1,781 and XRP also declined 4.47% to $1.21. Total liquidations across leveraged positions reached $420 million in 24 hours affecting 100,856 traders. What Caused the Drop This is not a …
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