🚨 The Fed, Google’s $32B Deal, and BYD’s EV Breakthrough – What You Need to Know

• 📢 Top 3 Market Stories

• 📈 Market Indices Update

• 🔎 Rich & Powerful Are Buying

• 🔥 Underrated & Overrated Stocks

• 📊 Sector Spotlight: Defense Tech

• 📈 ETF Spotlight $XLF

📢 Top 3 Market Stories You Should Care About

1️⃣ Fed to Update Rate Projections—What’s Coming? (Source)

• The Fed will release new rate forecasts amid sticky inflation and slowing growth.

• Markets expect one or two cuts in 2025, but the Fed may push back.

• Treasury yields and stocks could swing sharply based on Powell’s comments.

🔎 Why It Matters: If the Fed signals fewer cuts, borrowing stays expensive, and stocks could slide.

2️⃣ Google $GOOG ( ▲ 2.2% ) Buys Wiz for $32B—Biggest Cyber Deal Ever (Source)

• Google Cloud acquires cybersecurity firm Wiz in a $32B move (in cash!) to compete with Microsoft.

• Wiz’s tools will integrate into Google Cloud but remain available across platforms.

• Wiz founders to pocket over $3.2B each in Google deal ($2.5B after tax)

• Among the investors set to benefit from a sale are cybersecurity fund Cyberstarts, Sequoia Capital, a16z, Greylock, Index Ventures, and others.

🔎 Why It Matters: Google is doubling down on cloud security, and the acquisition is the largest for any Israeli startup.

3️⃣ BYD $BYDDY ( ▼ 1.08% ) Unveils 5-Minute EV Charging—Stock Rallies (Source)

• BYD’s new fast-charging tech delivers 400 km of range in 5 minutes.

• Shares jumped 4% as investors bet on its growing EV dominance.

• Faster charging could pressure Tesla $TSLA ( ▼ 0.66% ) and other rivals.

🔎 Why It Matters: If BYD scales this tech, it could reshape the EV industry and widen its lead in China.

📈 Market Indices Update

• S&P 500: ↓ 1.1% to 5,614.66 – Tech sell-off ahead of Fed’s policy meeting.

• Dow Jones: ↓ 0.6% to 41,581.31 – Investors cautious on interest rate decisions.

• Nasdaq: ↓ 1.7% to 17,504.12 – Major tech stocks dragged the index lower.

• Gold ($/Oz): ↑ 1.2% to $3,040/oz – Safe-haven demand rose amit uncertainty.

• 10-Yr Treasury Yield: ↓ to 4.280% – Yields edged lower ahead of Fed outlook.

• EUR/USD: 1.095 (+0.5%) – Euro gained on German fiscal policy developments.

• USD/JPY: ¥149.50 (-0.3%) – Yen strengthened as investors sought safety.

• Bitcoin: ↓ 2.1% to $82,290 – Crypto continues to pull back.

^{_{Data as of market close, 4:00pm ET}}

🔎 What 5 Rich & Powerful Are Buying

1️⃣ Michael J. Angelakis – American Express $AXP ( ▲ 1.85% ) 
→ Purchased 3,700 shares for approximately $1 million on March 7, 2025.
→ First insider purchase at American Express in 2025.​
→ Shares have declined about 12% year-to-date.

2️⃣ Lip-Bu Tan – Intel Corp. $INTC ( ▲ 0.84% ) 
→ Appointed as CEO on March 17, 2025. ​
→ Committed to purchasing $25m worth of stocks within 30 days of assuming his role. ​
→ Significant personal investment aligns his interests with shareholders, signaling confidence in Intel's future. ​

3️⃣ Robert K. Burgess – NVIDIA $NVDA ( ▲ 1.76% ) 
→ Seasoned investor in the tech sector, currently an independent director at NVIDIA.
→ Sold 53,324 shares on March 13, 2025, at an avg. price of $115.49, totaling $6.16m. ​
→ This sale represents a 17.52% decrease in his position.
→ NVIDIA's stock has declined 13% year-to-date

4️⃣ Dustin Moskovitz – Asana Inc. $ASAN ( ▼ 0.38% ) ​
→ Purchased 450,000 shares in march totaling approx. $6.25 million. ​
→ Moskovitz, co-founder and CEO, has been consistently increasing his stake.​
→ Asana's stock has experienced volatility, with these insider purchases potentially signaling confidence in the company's prospects.​

 5️⃣ Avery More – SolarEdge Technologies Inc. $SEDG ( ▼ 1.32% ) ​
→ Acquired 30,000 shares for approximately $411,000 in early 2025. ​
→ This marks the first insider purchase of the year for SolarEdge, following a significant stock decline in 2024.​
→ The solar industry faced challenges in 2024, making this insider buy notable amid ongoing sector uncertainties.​

🔥 Underrated Stock of the Week: Applied Materials

📚 Company Overview: Applied Materials $AMAT ( ▼ 0.17% ) is a leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, playing a crucial role in chip production for AI, data centers, and consumer electronics. As the semiconductor industry expands, driven by increasing demand for AI and advanced computing, AMAT stands to benefit from long-term tailwinds. The company has strong profitability, steady growth, and a well-diversified customer base, making it a solid pick amid market uncertainty.

📊 Key Metrics:

• Stock Price: $153.51

• P/E Ratio: 20x

• Market Cap: $125B

• EV/EBITDA: 14.4x

• Revenue Growth: +6.8% QoQ

• EPS Growth: -41% QoQ

• Profit Margin: 23%

• Debt-to-Equity (D/E): 0.35x

• ROE (Return on Equity): 35%

• Beta (Volatility): 1.62

• Analysts’ 12-Month Target: $206 (+34%)

• 30-Day Change: -10% | YTD Change: -5.6%

💪 Pros:
✔️ AI & Semiconductor Growth: Increasing demand for advanced chips supports long-term revenue.
✔️ Strong Margins & Profitability: High net profit margins and steady earnings growth.
✔️ Diversified Customer Base: Supplies major chipmakers, reducing reliance on any single client.

💩 Cons:
❌ Cyclical Industry Risks: Semiconductor demand fluctuates with economic cycles.
❌ Geopolitical Uncertainty: Trade tensions with China could impact global chip supply chains.

💰 Hot Take: Workiva Inc. Overvalued?​

📚 Company Overview: Workiva $WK ( ▲ 0.03% ) provides cloud-based solutions for enterprise productivity, specializing in simplifying complex reporting and compliance processes for businesses. Their platform is utilized across various industries to streamline data collection, management, and reporting.​

📊 Key Financials & Metrics:

• Stock Price: $87.59

• P/E Ratio: N/A (Not profitable)​

• Market Cap: $4.9 billion​

• EV/EBITDA: -56.7x​

• Revenue Growth: +20% QoQ​

• EPS Growth: N/A (Not profitable)​

• Debt-to-Equity (D/E): —

• ROE (Return on Equity): -28.5%​

• Beta (Volatility): 1.1​

• Analysts’ 12-Month Target: $119 (+36%)​

• 30-Day Change: -2.4% | YTD Change: -20%​

🐂 Bull Case (Why It Could Keep Rising):

• Niche Market Leadership: Workiva's specialized platform addresses critical compliance and reporting needs, offering a unique value proposition.​

• Consistent Revenue Growth: The company has maintained steady revenue increases, reflecting strong customer retention and acquisition.​

🐻 Bear Case (Why It Might Decline):

• Lack of Profitability: Continuous losses and negative profit margins raise concerns about sustainable business operations.​

• High Valuation Metrics: Despite the absence of profits, the company's valuation remains elevated, potentially indicating overvaluation.​

• Competitive Pressures: The enterprise software market is highly competitive, with larger players potentially encroaching on Workiva's niche.​

📊 Sector Spotlight: Defense Technology – The Next Big Investment Play

💡 Why It Matters

• Global defense budgets are surging, with countries investing billions into AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous military systems.

• Venture capital interest is skyrocketing, with defense tech startups securing record-breaking funding.

• Geopolitical tensions are driving governments to fast-track military modernization, benefiting the sector.

📊 Global Defense Spending 2025 (Top Countries)

📈 Key Industry Trends

✔️ Autonomous Warfare: AI-powered drones and robotic defense systems are reshaping modern combat.
✔️ Cybersecurity Arms Race: Nations are bolstering digital defenses amid rising cyber threats.
✔️ Private Sector Involvement: Startups like Anduril and Palantir are securing massive government contracts.

📊 Top Defense Tech Stocks

• Lockheed Martin $LMT ( ▲ 0.15% ): Leading in aerospace, hypersonics, & missile defense.

• Palantir $PLTR ( ▼ 9.37% ): Specializing in AI-driven data analytics for governments.

• Northrop Grumman $NOC ( ▲ 0.07% ): player in autonomous systems and cybersecurity.

• Anduril (Private): The rising star in AI-driven military technology.

🐂 Bull Case:
✔️ Rising budgets: Global defense spending is projected to exceed $2T by 2030.
✔️ Tech innovation: AI, automation, and cybersecurity are becoming military essentials.
✔️ Private investment: VCs are pouring billions into next-gen defense startups.

🐻 Bear Case:
❌ Regulatory risks: Export controls and ethical concerns may slow progress.
❌ High R&D costs: Defense tech requires heavy upfront investment.
❌ Market volatility: Military contracts can be unpredictable.

🚀 Biggest Market Movers

📈 Top 3 Winners

📉 Top 3 Losers

📈 ETF Spotlight: Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

📚 What is $XLF ( ▲ 0.29% ) ?

The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund ($XLF) is the go-to ETF for banking, insurance, and financial services stocks. It tracks big players in the industry, making it a solid choice for investors who want broad exposure without betting on a single bank.

🏦 Top Holdings

✔️ JPMorgan ($JPM) – The undisputed king of U.S. banking
✔️ Berkshire Hathaway ($BRK.B) – Warren Buffett’s financial empire
✔️ Bank of America ($BAC) – The #2 biggest U.S. bank
✔️ Wells Fargo ($WFC) – A turnaround play in banking
✔️ Goldman Sachs ($GS) – The Wall Street powerhouse

🔥 Why It’s Moving

• 10-year gain: +155%, but individual financial stocks performed even better.

• Rate cuts ahead? If the Fed pivots, financials could see a strong rally.

• Massive sector exposure: $XLF covers banking, insurance, and credit card giants.

📊 10-Year Performance Comparison 

• $XLF: 📊 +155% (Solid, but not the best)

• $GS: 🚀 +294% (Biggest winner!)

• $JPM: 💪 +180%

• $WFC: 🔥 +153%

• $MA: 💳 +132%

• $BAC: 🏦 +100% 

🧐 Takeaway:
$XLF diversifies risk, but picking individual stocks paid off more over the past decade. If rates fall, financials could run higher—is now the time to jump in?