Rate Cuts, Record Highs, and Market Surprises

Daniel Ledenev
Sep 20
5 min read

👋 Welcome Back Investors! (September 15 to 19, 2025)

What a week! The Fed finally delivered its long-anticipated rate cut, trimming by 25 basis points and fueling fresh record highs across the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. Tech once again dominated headlines, with Alphabet crossing the $3 trillion milestone and Tesla jumping after Elon Musk bought $1B worth of stock. Intel soared on news of a major Nvidia investment, lifting the entire semiconductor sector. In policy news, Trump renewed his push to end quarterly earnings reports, sparking debate over transparency. With the Fed signaling more cuts ahead and global markets cheering, September is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal months of the year.

🏦 Fed Cuts Rates by 25 BPS, Miran Pushes for 50 in Dissent

The Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of 2025 on Wednesday, trimming the benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4.00% to 4.25%. The move, widely anticipated by Wall Street, marks the central bank’s shift into easing mode after months of holding steady in the face of sticky inflation and slowing job growth. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a data driven approach in his post-meeting remarks, noting that the Fed still aims to bring inflation down to its 2% target while safeguarding employment. The decision was not unanimous. Newly appointed Fed Governor Stephen Miran dissented, arguing for a deeper 50-basis-point cut to counter mounting labor market weakness. His stance underscored growing debate inside the central bank as officials weigh tariff-driven price pressures against signs of softening demand. Looking ahead, the Fed’s updated projections signaled two additional rate cuts by year-end, with traders already pricing in more easing into 2026. Markets initially cheered the move, with equities pushing to fresh highs, while Treasury yields briefly dipped before edging higher on expectations of further stimulus. For investors, the message was clear: the era of “higher for longer” is ending, but the path forward will be shaped by inflation data, jobs numbers, and internal Fed divisions.

💻 Intel Stock Soars as Nvidia Takes $5B Stake

Intel stunned markets Thursday after Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in the struggling chipmaker, sending Intel shares surging more than 20% in a single session. The deal, which represents a roughly 4% stake in Intel, follows recent multibillion-dollar injections from SoftBank and the U.S. government, bringing total outside investment this year to about $16 billion. The rally added nearly $27 billion to Intel’s market cap, lifting it to roughly $143 billion by the close. Under the agreement, Intel will design custom CPUs using its x86 architecture to be integrated into Nvidia’s AI servers, while Nvidia’s AI technology will enhance Intel’s chips for PCs. The partnership bypasses Intel’s struggling contract manufacturing arm, instead focusing on leveraging its core processor strengths alongside Nvidia’s dominance in AI data centers.

The move highlights Intel’s pivot under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who has scaled back manufacturing ambitions and job-heavy expansion plans in favor of strategic alliances. For Nvidia, the deal ensures deeper access to U.S.-based chip production and bolsters its AI ecosystem at a time when global demand for processing power continues to skyrocket. With U.S. national security concerns also in play, Washington has already taken a 10% stake in Intel, the tie-up signals how geopolitics, corporate strategy, and AI investment are reshaping the semiconductor landscape. For Intel, long overshadowed by Nvidia in the AI race, this could be the first step in redefining its role in the next generation of computing.

☢️ Oklo Stock Hits 52-Week High on Nuclear Momentum

Oklo (OKLO) surged to fresh highs this week, fueled by optimism around advanced nuclear technology and clean energy expansion. The rally followed news of a new $1.68 billion fuel recycling facility in Tennessee, a U.S.-U.K. nuclear partnership to accelerate reactor deployment, and multiple collaborations with Lightbridge and ABB. Adding to the momentum, Oklo was selected for three projects under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, boosting investor confidence in its long-term growth. Broader market strength after the Fed’s rate cut and soaring AI-related energy demand also provided tailwinds. With a strong Momentum score of 99.69 and price trend strength across timeframes, Oklo is quickly emerging as a standout in the clean energy sector. For investors, the stock’s rise signals growing conviction that nuclear power will play a major role in powering the AI era and global decarbonization.

🟡 Gold Extends Rally as Fed Rate Cut Sparks Safe-Haven Demand

Gold prices drifted higher Friday, capping a fifth straight weekly gain after the Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of 2025. Spot gold rose 1.1% to $3,683 an ounce, while futures settled near $3,719. Earlier in the week, prices briefly touched a record $3,707 before easing back in volatile trading. The rally reflects renewed momentum in safe-haven demand. Lower interest rates reduce the cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, and Fed officials, including Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari signaled further cuts may be on the table at upcoming meetings. Analysts now see the potential for bullion to test $4,000 before year-end.

Globally, investor appetite for physical gold stayed robust. Premiums in India hit a 10-month high heading into the festive season, while Chinese discounts widened to five-year peaks. Meanwhile, silver surged 2.7% to $42.94, platinum gained 1.5% to $1,405, and palladium edged lower, underscoring strong interest in alternative precious metals. With gold already up nearly 40% this year, the bullish trend remains firmly intact, powered by easing policy, geopolitical uncertainty, and continued central bank buying.

📊 S&P 500 Finishes Week at Record High

The S&P 500 closed Friday at 6,088.43, gaining 0.75% on the day and 1.65% for the week, marking yet another record high. The Fed’s 25-bps rate cut midweek set the tone, lifting investor sentiment and driving broad gains across equities. Tech remained the standout, with Alphabet topping a $3T valuation and Intel soaring on Nvidia’s $5B stake, while housing stocks climbed on lower mortgage rate expectations. The Dow, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 also advanced, confirming the rally’s breadth and highlighting strong momentum as markets head into late September.

👀 Stocks to Watch: What This Week’s Moves Reveal

Markets charged into mid-September (Sept 15–19) with fresh record highs across the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow after the Fed delivered its first rate cut of the year. Tech, housing, and energy played starring roles, while policy headlines kept investors on their toes. Here are the stocks that stood out this week:

Intel (INTC | 22.8%) – Soared after Nvidia announced a $5B stake, fueling optimism about strategic partnerships and boosting Intel’s market cap by $27B.
Nvidia (NVDA | 0.7%) – Extended its influence in AI by teaming up with Intel, while continuing to dominate the semiconductor narrative.
Alphabet (GOOGL | 5.8%) – Crossed the $3 trillion valuation mark, cementing its place as one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Tesla (TSLA | 7.6%) – Jumped after Elon Musk revealed a $1B personal stock purchase, sparking renewed investor confidence.
Oklo (OKLO | 63.5%) – Hit a new 52-week high on momentum from nuclear energy deals, partnerships, and DOE pilot program recognition.

🛎️That’s a Wrap!

That’s it for this week’s recap, thanks for tuning in! Markets hit new records after the Fed’s 25 bps rate cut, boosting confidence across equities. Intel surged on Nvidia’s $5B stake, Alphabet crossed $3T, and Tesla jumped on Musk’s stock purchase. Gold extended gains while housing stocks rallied on easing mortgage expectations. With more Fed cuts on the horizon and earnings season approaching, the next few weeks could set the tone for the rest of the year.

Until then, stay focused and stay curious. Catch you next week 👋