🤔 Stocks go up and down

and homebuilder sentiment drops

Good morning investors! The market appears confused with constant ups and downs.

Today we cover:

  • Homebuilder sentiment drops

  • Stocks go up and down

  • Crypto is struggling

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📊 Economy and News 

Homebuilder Sentiment Drops on Tariff Concerns

U.S. homebuilder sentiment fell in February to a five-month low as tariff concerns pushed costs higher. The NAHB Housing Market Index dropped 5 points to 42, signaling negative sentiment. Sales expectations plunged 13 points to their lowest since December 2023.

With mortgage rates above 7% and home prices still high, affordability remains a challenge. Delayed tariffs on Canada and Mexico add to cost pressures, as key materials rely on imports. Builder incentives are also losing effectiveness, with fewer price cuts and declining buyer demand ahead of the crucial spring market.

Global hits:

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Shocking: Huawei has launched $3,660 trifold phone outside of China as it charts international comeback. Also, Delta plane crashes on landing at Toronto airport, all 80 aboard survive.

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📈 Stocks

S&P 500 6,129.58 (+0.24%)
DJIA 44,556.34 (+0.023%)
NASDAQ 20,041.26 (+0.072%)
BRENT CRUDE 75.43 (+0.54%)
* Prices as of Feb 19th, 12:20 AM UTC

S&P 500 sets fresh record as stocks rally into the close

Stocks started the day on a low note before notching higher right before the bell, with investors weighing concerns over global trade and inflation.

Energy stocks led the market, with the sector climbing 1.9% in the S&P 500, driven by gains in Halliburton and Valero Energy. Tech stocks also saw modest gains.

However, declines of over 1% in consumer discretionary and communication services dragged on the broader market. Meta Platforms slipped -3%, while Amazon fell -2%.

One of the biggest winners was Intel that went up +16%, notching best day since 2020 after repors came that Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing are potentially weighing independent deals that could split embattled chipmaker Intel.

Musk and Tesla: Tesla’s law firm drafts Delaware bill that could salvage Musk pay package. On the other hand, Elon Musk has introduced Grok 3, an AI model that he says outperforms ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Lastly, Tesla has picked sites in New Delhi, Mumbai to start India sales.

Also check: Boeing's Air Force One program could be delayed until 2029, or later, White House official says. Elsewhere, , Nike is working with Kim Kardashian shapewear brand Skims as it looks to reach more women. Lastly

Reminder: While many restaurants reported improving sales in the fourth quarter, but executives warned that the first quarter will be weak.

🔐 Crypto

Bitcoin $95,225 (-3.22%)
Ether $2,652 (-2.53%)
Solana $ 161(-6.3%)
Total market cap $3.11T (-4.98%)
* Prices as of Feb 19th, 12:20 AM UTC

Crypto Market Remains Uncertain as Bitcoin Pulls Back

The market lacks a clear trend, with Bitcoin (BTC) retreating to $94,637 on Binance and Ethereum (ETH) dropping 4% to $2,630.

Altcoins are underperforming, with XRP, Binance Coin (BNB), Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), and Chainlink (LINK) down 2% to 5%, while Solana (SOL) sees a sharper 8% correction.

Bitcoin remains range-bound between $95,000 and $98,000, struggling to break out. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index indicates cautious investor sentiment amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

💵 Personal Finance

Can you retire on $500,000?

We know that $500,000 might not sound like a lot of money to most people but it is a healthy nest egg to supplement Social Security and other income sources.

In fact, most people in the U.S. retire with less than $1 million.

So, you can do it too. But, how long will $500,000 last?

Assuming a 4% withdrawal rate, $500,000 could provide $20,000/year of inflation-adjusted income for 25 years.

The 4% “rule”, however, is oversimplified, and you will likely spend differently.

The amount you need depends on things like your monthly spending and income sources.

Plus, you can make your $500,000 run longer by being smart and investing in the right assets.

For example, you could receive $25,000 a year from a savings account that pays 5%. This is possible since a large number of banks in the US are now offering high returns.

The key lies in choosing the right country to live (affordable living) and investing your money smartly.

Check this video for more:

💰 Be a Better Investor

"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas."

Paul Samuelson

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