🪙 MP Materials Powers Up 🚀 Intuitive Machines Reaches New Heights
July 11, 2025
Good evening! Ready to explore today's market landscape? 🗺️
📰 Market Snapshot
Markets flexed their muscles this week as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq soared to fresh all-time highs, despite Trump-era tariffs making a loud comeback. Bitcoin joined the party too, riding a wave of institutional money to new records. Investors seem laser-focused on growth and risk assets, brushing off trade noise like it’s yesterday’s headline.
But don’t let the rally fool you into full-throttle euphoria. Analysts are waving caution flags, reminding us that inflation, geopolitical jitters, and ETF concentration risks still loom large. The mood? Bold, but not blind. Keep your optimism in check and your risk radar on.
🔭 Key Focus Areas – What Investors Need to Watch
🎯 Trade Tensions & Tariffs
The tariff war just got a power boost. With steep levies hitting Canadian and Brazilian imports, pharma companies are prepping for worst-case scenarios, including Trump’s whispered 200% tariff threat. Global supply chains are on edge, and retaliatory fireworks could follow.
📈 AI Infrastructure Boom
The AI revolution is powering up. Semiconductors are reaping the benefits, with Nvidia leading the charge and AMD, TSMC not far behind. Even Zuckerberg’s Iconiq is rounding up ultra-rich allies to influence the sector’s direction, expect innovation and competition to heat up.
💸 Interest Rates & Inflation
Rate cut chatter is back on the table. The White House is pushing the Fed, while investors juggle rising inflation, Red Sea shipping spikes, and policy uncertainty. Every Powell word now weighs heavier than gold.
🔋 EV Tug-of-War
The EV sector is sparking interest and friction. Tesla’s European slump is causing ripple effects, delaying Panasonic’s battery plans. BYD’s IOU tactics are squeezing suppliers, while XPeng’s sleek new models are wooing Europe. The road ahead? Bumpy, but brimming with potential.
🌍 Geopolitical Chessboard
Eyes are on a possible Trump-Xi summit. Add in Houthi-linked shipping disruptions, and the global stage feels one wrong move away from a trade checkmate.
📉 Sector Winners & Losers
AI and defense (hello, drones!) are in ascendance. Renewables feel the policy tailwinds. Meanwhile, materials and health insurers brace for cost volatility and regulatory pivots.
⚖️ Policy Pulse
Tariffs Turn Up the Heat: 35% on Canada, 50% on Brazil margins are under fire, and inflation jitters grow. Levi’s is absorbing some cost hits, signaling pain ahead.
SALT Cap Surprise: A $40,000 deduction limit may sneak up on high earners. Watch this stealthy tax twist.
Social Security Shake-Up: Spending cuts, fraud crackdowns, and hiring freezes won’t stop the Trust Fund from hitting empty by 2033.
Health Premium Hike Incoming: No extension on tax breaks could hike premiums for 22M people by 2026.
Welfare Reform Wave: Head Start ends for undocumented immigrants, and postsecondary aid is shrinking, expect debates to flare.
DEI Gets Federal Scrutiny: The George Mason investigation marks a shift in how DEI programs are being policed.
FDA Fast Tracks With a Twist: Affordability now factors into speedier drug approvals. A win for patients, maybe a puzzle for pharma.
Rate Cut Pressure: The administration’s nudge to the Fed hints at deeper economic anxieties behind the market cheer.
🔍 Market Movers – Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
🔌 Nvidia (NVDA)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
Nvidia just joined the ultra-elite club with a jaw-dropping $4 trillion market cap, cementing its throne as the king of AI chips. A White House visit from CEO Jensen Huang only reinforces how strategically vital the company has become in the global tech race.
Analysts are practically giddy, some see the stock doubling over the next three years as sovereign AI infrastructure ramps up and data center demand goes parabolic. But let’s not ignore the fine print: Huang quietly offloaded $36M in shares (just a sliver, but still), and those pesky Trump-era export controls could clip growth in key international markets.
Bottom line? Nvidia’s growth story is still hot, but a little heat check might be wise before chasing the next leg up. Eyes on August earnings, they could either light the fuse or flash a caution sign.
👖 Levi Strauss (LEVI)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
Levi Strauss just strutted into Q2 with results that would make any CFO blush. A 9% pop in organic net revenue and a record-smashing 62.6% gross margin? That’s not just solid, that’s runway-worthy. Add a 37% jump in EPS and upgraded full-year guidance, and you've got a company clearly hitting its stride.
The secret sauce? A sizzling direct-to-consumer strategy and global muscle that’s keeping tariff worries at bay. CEO Michelle Gass spotlighted Levi’s strong international playbook, proving they’re not just riding fashion cycles, they’re rewriting them.
Bottom line: With profitability peaking and brand control tightening, investors have plenty to smile about. Keep your eyes on this classic, it’s aging like fine denim.
🪙 Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.40
Robinhood is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s going international. The trading app is making waves in Europe by launching tokenized shares of both public and private companies. It's a smart play: cracking into a new market while giving users access to cutting-edge assets in a format that screams next-gen finance.
Add in a growing crypto crowd, and Robinhood's strategy is clear: go where the digital dollars (and euros) are. With over 25 million funded accounts already on the platform, the foundation is solid. The crypto boom is helping reel in new users, while tokenized shares could keep them hooked.
Bottom line: The sentiment is cautiously bullish, and if this European expansion gains traction, it could be a game-changer.
🛒 Walmart (WMT)
🔴 News Sentiment: -0.60
Walmart is in damage control mode after recalling a staggering 850,000 stainless steel water bottles linked to a serious safety hazard: lids that can launch with enough force to cause injuries, including vision loss. Yikes.
While the financial sting may be minor for a retail giant of this scale, the reputational dent is harder to ignore. When safety meets headlines, it’s consumer trust on the line, and that’s a currency no brand can afford to devalue.
The silver lining? Walmart acted swiftly, initiating a large-scale recall and cooperating with regulators. It's a textbook example of crisis response, but with potential legal and regulatory aftershocks still looming, investors should keep a close watch.
Bottom line: This isn’t a fiscal blowout, but the brand bruise is real. In a low-margin business built on trust, perception matters, and right now, it’s taken a hit.
✈️ General Electric Company (GE)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.30
GE Aerospace just got a modest lift, shares climbed 2.1% after flashing a key technical trading signal, sparking some bullish chatter on the Street. Meanwhile, its engines got a clean bill of health in the ongoing Air India Boeing 787 investigation, no red flags there, which is always good news in aviation.
Add in strong Q2 results from Delta (a major GE engine customer), and you’ve got a few tailwinds subtly supporting GE's momentum. It’s not fireworks, but it’s steady altitude.
Bottom line: Nothing flashy, but GE Aerospace is quietly gaining ground. With positive technicals, a clean safety track record, and tailwinds from airline recovery, it's one to keep on your radar.
🛰️ AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (AAPL)
🟡 News Sentiment: -0.30
AST SpaceMobile is building big dreams literally in orbit, with its ambitious plan to bring satellite-powered cell service to every corner of the globe. Partnerships with telecom giants like AT&T and Verizon add serious credibility to the mission, and analysts see a path to profitability by 2027. If they stick the landing, ASTS could reshape global connectivity.
But here’s the reality check: It’s still early days. The company isn’t profitable yet, it’s burning cash, and heavy hitters like The Motley Fool are keeping it off their top-10 list. Investors are intrigued, but cautiously so.
Bottom line: ASTS is a classic moonshot - big vision, bold execution, and plenty of risk. If you're game for a speculative play with serious long-term potential (and short-term turbulence), this one's worth watching. Just don’t forget your helmet.
🧲 MP Materials (MP)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.40
MP Materials just hit the jackpot, or at least the federal funding equivalent. A $400 million infusion from the Department of Justice and a long-term supply deal with the Department of Defense puts the company on a much firmer (and richer) footing. The cash will supercharge its rare earth processing plant expansion, and guaranteed purchase terms add sweet, sweet revenue stability.
Investors are loving it: shares popped nearly 47% on the news. But it’s not all upside, there’s a 15% dilution cost as the government takes an equity stake. Still, when Washington’s writing checks and promising to buy your product for years to come, that’s a vote of confidence you don’t ignore.
Bottom line: MP Materials is looking less like a speculative bet and more like a strategic national asset. If you're bullish on the rare earth race (and U.S. independence from foreign supply chains), this one just moved up the priority list.
📢 Federal Signal Corporation (FSS)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
Federal Signal (FSS) just got a green light from KeyBanc, which upgraded the stock to "Overweight" and slapped on a bullish $110 price target. What’s fueling the optimism? A powerful one-two punch of organic growth (think: R&D and market share gains) and strategic acquisitions to keep the momentum going.
Despite a short-term stock dip of 3.2%, analysts are betting big on the long game. With upgraded earnings forecasts for 2025 and 2026, FSS looks well-positioned to outpace smaller rivals and solidify its leadership in specialized safety and environmental solutions.
Bottom line: Between innovation, scale, and smart M&A plays, it’s a company investors may want to keep on their radar.
🛰️ Intuitive Machines Inc (LUNR)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.40
Intuitive Machines (LUNR) briefly shot for the stars this week, climbing nearly 10% after announcing Space Forge as its second partner for the Earth Reentry Program (ERP). The excitement was short-lived, though the stock quickly lost altitude as investors remembered: actual commercialization is still more than a year away.
Still, signing a second partner is no small feat. It shows growing trust in LUNR’s tech and that the company’s ambitions go far beyond the moon. While enthusiasm cooled, the buzz underscores the potential of the ERP to open new (and lucrative) doors in space logistics.
Bottom line: A promising signal flare from Intuitive Machines, but until the ERP spacecraft is closer to Earth, or revenue investors may want to buckle up for turbulence.
🎥 IMAX Corporation (IMAX)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
IMAX (IMAX) is having a star turn of its own. CEO Rich Gelfond just dropped a bold forecast: a record-shattering $1.2 billion in revenue for the year. That would be the biggest haul in the company’s 55-year history, signaling that the cinematic comeback is real and IMAX is front row, center.
With Hollywood finally cranking out hits again, IMAX is perfectly positioned to ride the box office rebound. Its premium large-format experience is attracting audiences back to theaters in droves. Gelfond’s confidence in hitting that revenue mark gives investors a reason to believe the popcorn’s just starting to pop.
✈️ Delta Air Lines (DAL)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
Delta Air Lines (DAL) is cruising at a higher altitude after a solid Q2 earnings touchdown. The airline not only reinstated its full-year 2025 guidance, a confident signal in today’s choppy skies, but also impressed analysts enough to earn a price target bump from Bank of America.
What’s fueling this ascent? A sharp focus on high-margin revenue streams, including those cushy premium seats and loyal business travelers. That’s translating into stronger free cash flow and a sunnier financial outlook.
🪫 Lucid (LCID)
🔴 News Sentiment: -0.60
Lucid Group (LCID) is navigating stormy conditions, with its stock tumbling over 30% in the first half of 2025, on top of a rough 2024. The recent departure of its CEO has only added to investor unease, casting fresh doubts on the EV maker’s direction and leadership stability.
To make matters worse, Lucid’s facing policy headwinds in D.C., where EV-unfriendly legislation is threatening to throttle growth just as competition heats up. While the long-term promise of luxury EVs remains, Lucid’s near-term outlook feels more like a stalled charge than a smooth ride.
📉 Phillips 66 (PSX)
🔴 News Sentiment: -0.60
Phillips 66 (PSX) is under the spotlight for the wrong reasons today, landing on the “Top 5 Downgrades” list after an analyst pulled back their bullish stance. While the downgrade doesn’t come with a detailed script, the move signals a cooling outlook, potentially tied to margin pressures or broader industry headwinds.
Wall Street’s shift in tone is rarely trivial. When analysts start stepping back, it often cues other investors to recheck the fundamentals. And while the refining giant isn’t in a tailspin, this dip in confidence could apply pressure to the stock in the near term.
🏥 Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR)
🔴 News Sentiment: -0.80
Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR) just ran into a wall. The FDA rejected the company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for its lead therapy, deramiocel-t, dealing a major blow to its Duchenne muscular dystrophy ambitions. This wasn’t just a bump in the road - it’s a full-on detour.
The rejection means more clinical data is needed, which translates to higher costs, longer timelines, and bigger investor headaches. For a company hinging its future on this therapy, the delay raises serious questions about its ability to compete in an increasingly crowded field where rivals may already be nearing approval.
🚗 BYD Company Limited (BYDDY)
🔴 News Sentiment: -0.60
BYD Company Limited (BYDDY) is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The EV giant has reportedly been paying its suppliers with electronic IOUs, some of which take months to cash in. While that might help BYD’s short-term cash flow, it’s stirring long-term trouble in its supply chain.
Delaying payments can sour supplier relationships, and in a high-stakes, fast-moving EV market, that’s a risky gamble. Suppliers might start prioritizing rivals who pay on time, or raise prices to compensate for the delay. Either way, it’s a potential drag on production and profitability.
🚗 XPeng (XPEV)
🟢 News Sentiment: 0.60
XPeng Inc. (XPEV) is charging ahead literally and figuratively as it sets its sights on Europe with its G6 and G9 models. Equipped with an 800V platform, lightning-fast charging, and a healthy dose of AI wizardry, these EVs aim to wow the European market and position XPeng as a serious tech-forward contender.
This expansion isn’t just a growth play, it’s a bold move to diversify beyond its home turf in China and tap into new revenue streams. Yes, deliveries won’t roll out until late summer 2025, so the payoff isn’t immediate. But the cutting-edge tech gives XPeng a real shot at turning heads (and stealing market share) across the pond.
🎬 Netflix (NFLX)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.40
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) is firing on all cylinders with solid growth, profitability, and an expanding entertainment empire. With over 300 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix remains the streaming heavyweight champ, turning scale into serious profit power.
Needham’s analysts are bullish, forecasting a potential 20% rally fueled by impressive gains in labor productivity. Netflix is getting smarter and leaner at pumping out and delivering content. Meanwhile, the company’s bold moves into gaming and live sports show it’s not just resting on its streaming laurels but innovating to capture new audiences and revenue streams.
Sure, the stock’s premium valuation gives some investors pause, and there are whispers that other stocks might shine brighter right now. But Netflix’s track record of proving skeptics wrong and diversifying beyond streaming keeps the vibes positive.
AeroVironment (AVAV)
🔵 News Sentiment: 0.40
AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) is catching some serious attention as the Pentagon cranks up its drone procurement efforts. This new government spotlight on drone tech sent AVAV’s stock soaring 9.2%, a clear nod from investors that the company is poised to benefit big time from defense contracts.
The buzz is well-deserved: with drones becoming a strategic priority, AeroVironment’s role as a major supplier puts it front and center for growth. That said, a word to the wise, valuation is a bit stretched, so jumping in at the peak might require some caution.
📅 Coming Up
🧾 Earnings Watch:
BlackRock and several others are set to report next week. Expect insights on whether this market momentum has legs, or if it’s all smoke and mirrors.
📊 Fed Watch:
Powell’s policy stance remains in the spotlight. With critics circling and market momentum rising, his next move could shake things up.
📈 Data Drops:
Inflation and GDP prints are on the horizon, clear your calendar for some market-moving numbers.
💬 Jim Cramer’s Investing Club:
July 11 at 10:30 am ET. Expect hot takes, bold predictions, and maybe a few meme-worthy quotes.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.