💸 Nvidia overshadowed by market concerns

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Fun fact: Did you know that the S&P 500 has historically returned an average of about 10% per year over the long term? This can provide perspective during periods of market volatility, reminding investors to focus on long-term growth rather than short-term fluctuations. Something to keep in mind when the market is down.

Market Recap

U.S. stock markets experienced a notable downturn today, primarily driven by a sell-off in technology shares:

• S&P 500: Decreased by 1.1%, with nine out of its eleven sectors closing in negative territory.

• Nasdaq Composite: Fell by 1.7%, reflecting significant declines in major tech companies.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Declined by 0.6%, marking a challenging day for blue-chip stocks.

Today we cover:

1. Nvidia announces more powerful chips, yet the stock drops.

2. Market weakness continues.

3. Warren Buffett on how to get rich.

📊 Economy and News 

Three issues driving the market today:

1. Retail Sales Disappoint: February retail sales grew by only 0.2%, falling short of the expected 0.5%. This suggests slowing consumer spending, which could affect economic growth, but may also help slow inflation.

2. Trade Tensions Continue: The trade dispute between the US and China shows no signs of resolution, with both sides maintaining their positions. Economists warn that prolonged tensions could lead to higher inflation and reduced growth.

3. Fed to Keep Rates Steady: The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its next meeting, despite weaker economic data. Markets will be watching for any signals on future rate moves.

More Government Cuts

The Pentagon announced plans to cut up to 60,000 civilian jobs, with about a third taking voluntary resignations. This decision, also reported on March 18, 2025, could affect global defense contracts and has economic implications worldwide.

Global hits:

Pres. Trump and Putin have agreed to steps toward a ceasefire and peace deal in Ukraine beginning with “an energy and infrastructure ceasefire,” which means they won’t attack each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.

The White House said they also agreed to “technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace” and negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.

So it’s a start but still a long way to go.

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📈 Stocks

S&P 500 5,614 (-1.06%)
DJIA 41,581 (-0.62%)
NASDAQ 17,504 (-1.17%)
BRENT CRUDE 70.31 (-1.07%)
* Prices as of Mar 18, 16.30 PM EST

Notable movements among major tech stocks include:

• Tesla (TSLA): Shares plunged by 5.3%, following a price-target cut by RBC Capital.

• Nvidia (NVDA): Stock declined by 3.4%, ahead of CEO Jensen Huang's keynote at GTC.

• Alphabet (GOOGL): Shares decreased by 2.5%, amid news of acquisition plans.

More on Nvidia

Amazingly, Nvidia stock was down today after announcing two new AI chips, Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin, at its GTC conference on March 18, 2025. In addition, they announced that General Motors has chosen them to help build out their self-driving and include more AI in manufacturing. The stock decline was likely driven by broader market concerns.

Blackwell Ultra, shipping in the second half of 2025, is expected to generate up to 50 times the revenue of the previous Hopper generation for cloud providers.

Vera Rubin, shipping in the second half of 2026, offers 50 petaflops for inference and a custom CPU, Vera, that is twice as fast as Grace Blackwell.

You can see the analyst recommendations summary and more information by going to our AI Stock Analyzer.

Economic Indicators

• Gold: Prices surged to a record high of $3,038 per ounce, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and a weakening U.S. dollar.

• Mortgage Rates: Rates remain elevated, with 30-year fixed mortgages averaging above 6.6%.

🔐 Crypto

Bitcoin $81,995 (-2.4%)
Ether $1,900, (-1.8%)
Solana $123.54 (-4.7%)
Total market cap $2.78T (-4.3%)
* Prices as of Mar 18, 16.30 PM EST

More bad news for Ethereum

If you hold Eth, you may want to reconsider as Standard Chartered just cut their 2025 price target from $10,000 to $4,000.

Bitcoin Loans Expand

Xapo Bank now offers Bitcoin-backed USD loans, allowing long-term Bitcoin holders to borrow up to $1 million without selling their assets. The loans, targeting "holders," feature flexible repayment terms (30 days to 1 year) and no rehypothecation of BTC collateral, ensuring security via Xapo's institutional-grade custody.

Aimed at providing liquidity amid growing demand for crypto loans, the service excludes U.S. residents and reflects Xapo's effort to differentiate from past predatory lending practices in the crypto space.

💵 Personal Finance

Cleopatra: Leverage Resources Strategically

Cleopatra VII of Egypt wasn’t just a political mastermind; she was a financial strategist. Ruling a resource-rich kingdom, she used Egypt’s wealth—grain, gold, and trade routes—to secure alliances and maintain power. When funds ran low, she famously dissolved a pearl in vinegar to impress Mark Antony, a dramatic flex that doubled as a power play to solidify their partnership (and Rome’s support).

Lesson: Wealth isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about deployment. Use what you have (money, skills, or connections) to create opportunities, but know when to sacrifice short-term assets for long-term gains.

💰 Be a Better Investor

Resources:

• Calculators

• Retirement Resources

• Dividends

• Make Money in Retirement

• Side Hustle Ideas

• Stock Deep Dives

• Investing 101 videos

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

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