🇨🇳 China doesn't wanna talk?

and 100 days of Trump

Good morning investors! S&P 500 recorded fifth winning day as Big Tech earnings loom. In other news, Arizona’s treasurer and retirement system could invest billions of dollars in cryptocurrency under a first-in-the-nation measure the state Legislature passed Monday.

The legislation (S.B. 1025) would allow state public funds to invest as much as 10% of the money they control in virtual currencies.

Today we cover:

  • China isn’t talking?

  • Worst stock market in years

  • Being a day trader – Part II

Reminder: Catch the full webinar—learn how to boost your research, spot patterns faster, and invest smarter with AI.

📊 Economy and News 

China Denies Trade Talks as U.S. Pressure Mounts

China firmly denied it is negotiating with the United States to resolve the ongoing tariff war, despite claims from President Donald Trump and his aides suggesting otherwise. Chinese officials also dismissed Trump's statement that President Xi Jinping had recently called him.

The denial reflects Beijing's hardline response to the Trump administration’s sweeping 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. While U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, argue the U.S. is better positioned to withstand a trade war, concerns are growing among American businesses over potential shortages, higher prices, and store closures.

Conflicting messages have added to the confusion. Some Trump officials maintain that trade conversations are happening daily, even as China publicly rejects the notion.

Bessent emphasized that China, selling significantly more goods to the U.S. than vice versa, bears greater pressure to de-escalate. He also predicted that negotiations with other countries, notably India, could yield quick trade deals, while suggesting Europe may soon move to cut rates as a strong euro challenges their exports.

Global hits:

Don’t forget: Huawei aims to take on Nvidia’s H100 with new AI chip putting pressure on the latter.

In other news, NXP Semiconductors fell despite beating expectations.

Lastly, Senator Josh Hawley reintroduced the PELOSI Act, aiming to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks to prevent insider trading.

Controversial: DOGE cuts could help Elon Musk companies avoid $2 billion in liabilities. Elsewhere, more Americans are financing groceries with buy now, pay later loans — and more are paying those bills late. Lastly, Temu adds ‘import charges’ of about 145% after Trump tariffs, more than doubling price of many items.

📈 Stocks

S&P 500 5,528.75 (+0.064%)
DJIA 40,227.59 (+0.28%)
NASDAQ 17,366.13 (-0.097%)
BRENT CRUDE 65.86 (-1.51%)
* Prices as of Apr 29th, 12:20 AM UTC

Trump’s Rocky First 100 Days Mark Worst Stock Market Start Since 1970s

President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office saw the S&P 500 fall 7.9%, making it the second-worst start for a president since Richard Nixon’s second term in 1973, according to CFRA Research. Historically, the S&P 500 rises 2.1% during a president’s first 100 days.

Just in: Google paid $8.27 million for CEO Sundar Pichai’s personal security in 2024. That figure is up nearly 22% from $6.78 million in 2023, due in part to a number of security measures taken during Pichai’s busy year. Google’s legal Chief Kent Walker received almost $30.2 million during the year.

Also, Pfizer reported positive late-stage results for its experimental bladder cancer drug, sasanlimab, with the Phase 3 CREST trial showing a 32% reduction in disease-related events.

Good to know: Airbus will buy Spirit AeroSystems’ US and UK assets as it carves up the supplier with Boeing.

Boeing left Spirit about 20 years ago and is buying back Spirit AeroSystems in a $4.7 billion deal expected to close in Q3 2025. The move follows a string of quality issues at Spirit, including faulty parts on Boeing 737 Max jets that came under scrutiny last year.

As part of the restructuring, Airbus will take over some Spirit facilities to address supply chain challenges for fuselage components. The shift could improve safety—if quality control improves—or deepen concerns for nervous flyers if problems persist.

Deliveroo delivers: Deliveroo shares hit a three-year high after confirming a $3.6 billion takeover offer from U.S.-based DoorDash. The company suspended its $133.5 million share buyback program following the news. Analysts at Citi expect the deal to pass regulatory review smoothly, noting the firms operate in separate markets.

Look at this: HSBC double downgraded Eli Lilly, cutting its rating from "Buy" to "Reduce" and lowering the price target from $1,150 to $700 due to stock’s high valuation and rising competition from Novo Nordisk. Elsewhere, DHL will restart global shipments worth over $800 to US consumers. Lastly, IBM pledges $150 billion to boost U.S. tech growth, computer manufacturing.

💵 Personal Finance

The 10-Day Day Trading Series – Part II

Now that you know about day trading (check yesterday’s issue if you don’t), let’s talk about how to get started.

Open a Trading Account

To begin day trading, you’ll need to open a trading account with a brokerage platform. This can be done conveniently online or via mobile apps, as most brokers offer user-friendly interfaces for account setup.

Popular platforms include TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, E*TRADE, and Robinhood, among others.

We’ll review these in tomorrow’s issue.

Steps to Create an Account

  1. Choose a Broker: Research brokers based on fees, available markets (stocks, forex, crypto, etc.), platform features, and user reviews. Ensure the broker is regulated by a reputable authority, such as the SEC or FINRA in the U.S.

  2. Sign Up Online or Via Mobile: Visit the broker’s website or download their mobile app. Click on the “Open Account” or “Sign Up” button.

  3. Provide Personal Information: Enter basic details like your name, email, phone number, and address. You’ll also need to provide identification documents (e.g., a driver’s license or passport) and financial information (e.g., income, net worth) to comply with regulatory requirements.

  4. Fund Your Account: Once approved, deposit funds using methods like bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or digital wallets. Some brokers have minimum deposit requirements, so check this beforehand.

  5. Set Up the Trading Platform: Download the broker’s trading software or app, log in, and familiarize yourself with its tools, charts, and order types.

Start with a Demo Account

Before risking real money, it’s highly recommended to practice with a demo account. Most brokers offer demo or paper trading accounts that simulate real market conditions using virtual funds. This allows you to:

  • Test trading strategies without financial risk.

  • Learn how to use the trading platform effectively.

  • Gain confidence in analyzing markets and executing trades.

To use a demo account, simply select the “Demo” or “Practice” option when signing up or within the platform. Spend a few weeks or months practicing until you consistently achieve positive results and feel ready to trade with real funds.

Starting with a demo account and setting up your trading account online or via mobile are critical first steps to becoming a successful day trader. Take your time to learn the ropes, and always prioritize risk management to protect your capital.

💰 Be a Better Investor

"Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving."

–Warren Buffett

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👩🏽‍⚖️ Legal Stuff
Nothing in this newsletter is financial advice. Always do your own research and think for yourself.