Markets waver as small caps stumble and volatility ticks up — June 25th recap

U.S. markets were mixed on Wednesday, June 25th, with the S&P 500 flat, the Nasdaq up +0.31%, and the Dow and Russell 2000 closing in the red. Volatility crept higher as the VIX jumped over 4%, and traders shifted toward defensive positioning ahead of Friday’s PCE inflation data.

Tech led the day with solid gains in NVIDIA, Super Micro, and QuantumScape. Meanwhile, Tesla, QXO, and Lucid dragged on the broader tape. Options flow remained bullish in SPY, QQQ, and NVDA, while crypto posted another green day with Bitcoin rising nearly 2%.

Tune in as Lee breaks down the market drivers, sector trends, standout stocks, options activity, and crypto moves — plus what to watch heading into Thursday.

Markets surged across the board on Tuesday, June 24, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow, and Russell 2000 all posting solid gains. The rally was fueled by easing geopolitical tensions following a Trump-announced ceasefire between Iran and Israel, along with renewed strength in tech and semiconductor stocks.

Technology led the way, while the energy sector lagged as oil prices slumped.

Big movers included NU Holdings (+8.79%), AMD (+6.83%), and Robinhood (+7.41%), while Tesla and Apple saw modest declines.

In the options market, traders showed bullish conviction, especially in SPY, QQQ, and NVDA contracts. The VIX dropped over 11%, signaling lower market volatility.

Crypto rallied alongside equities, with Bitcoin rising to $105,697 and Ethereum jumping to $2,436.

Plus, a quick look at what’s on deck for Wednesday, including earnings from Micron (MU).

🎧 Tune in now to stay ahead of the markets with Lee on the Daily Market Lens.

Stocks rallied to start the week, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all posting gains close to 1% as falling Treasury yields and renewed rate cut optimism lifted investor sentiment. In this episode of Daily Market Lens, Lee recaps the day’s biggest market drivers, sector rotation, and the strongest stock movers — including Tesla’s 8% surge and a steep drop in Hims & Hers. We also take a quick look at SPY and QQQ options activity, today’s VIX movement, and a crypto market pop led by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Covered in this episode:

• Index performance and tone summary
• Sector winners and laggards
• Top stock movers (TSLA, HIMS, NVDA, SMCI, QUBT, RKLB)
• SPY/QQQ options activity and VIX
• Crypto rally recap (BTC, ETH, stETH)
• What to watch tomorrow: earnings from Micron and Nike

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U.S. stocks climbed across the board Tuesday, with the S&P 500 up 0.58%, Nasdaq up 0.81%, Dow up 0.51%, and the Russell 2000 leading with a 1.48% gain. Markets responded positively to dovish bond yields, a tariff pause extension on Chinese goods, and broad-based strength in tech and small caps.

Sectors in focus:

• Technology led the charge, boosted by continued AI enthusiasm and gains in semiconductors.
• Energy underperformed despite rising oil prices, suggesting a rotation toward growth sectors.

Top movers:

• Nvidia (NVDA) rose 2.8% on strong momentum,
• Robinhood (HOOD) rallied 5.5% as retail flows stayed elevated,
• Algonquin Power (AQN) jumped over 16% on volume and yield appeal.
   Meanwhile,
• Pony.ai (PONY) sank nearly 21% with no clear catalyst,
• Regencell (RGC) and Sable Offshore (SOC) both posted double-digit losses.

In the options market, bullish sentiment prevailed with heavy activity in SPY, QQQ, and NVDA near-week expirations. The VIX dropped to 17.81, suggesting lighter hedging demand.

In crypto, Bitcoin rallied to over $106,000, and Ethereum jumped to $2,625. DeFi assets like stETH and WETH also posted solid gains, lifted by broader risk-on sentiment and a softening dollar.

Looking ahead, traders are eyeing ADP employment, ISM services, and comments from Fed officials, alongside key earnings from Dollar Tree and Broadcom.

U.S. stocks started June on a steady note, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.41%, the Nasdaq up 0.67%, and the Dow inching higher by 0.08%. The Russell 2000 also posted a modest 0.10% rise. Markets found footing as Treasury yields cooled, helping ease recent pressure across equities.

Commodities led the charge, with silver, copper, and natural gas all surging—lifting material and mining stocks. Meanwhile, energy stocks lagged despite crude oil rallying over 3.5%, signaling mixed sentiment across the sector.

Top stock movers included:

• Applied Digital (APLD), up nearly +48.5% on surging volume and speculative interest.
• Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), climbing +23.7% on strong metals momentum.
• Blueprint Medicines (BPMC), jumping +26% following positive drug trial results.

On the flip side, Regencell Bioscience (RGC) plunged -18.1%, and SAIC fell -13.3% after missing earnings expectations. Pony.ai (PONY) also declined sharply, possibly on regulatory risks.

In the options market, flow concentrated in SPY, QQQ, and NVDA, with bullish bets placed on near-term strikes. The VIX settled at 18.56, suggesting low concern over short-term volatility.

In crypto, Bitcoin drifted lower to around $104,522, down about 0.6%, while Ethereum ticked up to $2,536. Altcoins saw mixed action, with Lido’s stETH and WETH gaining, while others like Solana and Cardano declined.

Sectors in focus:

• Basic Materials outperformed thanks to bullish commodity prices.
• Energy underperformed despite oil strength, indicating rotation away from the space.

Looking ahead: Traders will be watching Tuesday’s factory orders, the JOLTS job openings report, and commentary from Federal Reserve speakers for further policy clues. Earnings from Nio, HPE, and others may also influence early June sentiment.

Markets waver as traders brace for Nvidia earnings and inflation data

Stocks ended mixed on Friday as investors positioned cautiously ahead of key economic reports and Nvidia’s highly anticipated results. The Dow eked out a modest gain, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped amid weakness in big tech and energy stocks. Sector rotation favored communication services, while options flow highlighted a defensive tilt. Plus, crypto saw red across the board.

Host Lee breaks it all down — including sector heat, top movers like Palantir and Tesla, options activity, and what to watch heading into the weekend.

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Tech Roars Back as Court Blocks Tariffs, NVIDIA Soars

Stocks climbed Thursday as a federal court struck down Trump-era tariffs and NVIDIA delivered a monster earnings beat. Lee breaks down the action in the major indices, sector rotation, and big stock movers like $NVDA, $AI, and $ELF. Plus — a look at crypto, options flow, and what to watch heading into Friday’s inflation data.

Wall Street Pulls Back Ahead of Nvidia – May 28, 2025

U.S. markets slid on Wednesday as rising Treasury yields and caution ahead of Nvidia’s earnings weighed on investor sentiment. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow, and Russell 2000 all closed in the red, with tech and consumer cyclicals dragging. Defensive sectors like consumer staples outperformed.

We cover the day’s biggest stock movers — including standout gains from Unity Software, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Vail Resorts — and steep drops from Tempus AI, Okta, and Synopsys. Options flow remained active in SPY, QQQ, and NVDA, while the VIX ticked higher.

Plus, we check in on the crypto market as Bitcoin and Ethereum extend their pullback.

Stick around for a quick look at what’s on deck for tomorrow — including key data and Nvidia’s crucial earnings report.

Tech Surge Powers Markets as Crypto Joins the Rally

Stocks ripped higher Tuesday as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 posted strong gains, powered by strength in AI, chipmakers, and high-growth names. Tesla, Nvidia, and SoundHound led the charge, while the Russell 2000 lagged amid broad weakness in small caps and materials. In the options market, traders piled into bullish call bets on SPY, QQQ, and TSLA, while the VIX slid to 19. Crypto joined the party, with Bitcoin and Ethereum extending their gains. Lee breaks down the day’s top movers, sector trends, and what to watch ahead of tomorrow’s key earnings and data.

Tech Tumbles, VIX Spikes, and Uranium Soars – May 23 Market Recap

Markets sold off to close the week, with major indices posting sharp declines led by weakness in technology. The Nasdaq slid 1%, the Dow and S&P 500 both dropped 0.61%, and the Russell 2000 barely budged.

Today’s episode dissects the key drivers behind the pullback, including surging Treasury yields, profit-taking in big tech, and a spike in volatility. We also highlight the sector rotation into materials — with uranium, copper, and gold miners among the top performers.

Lee spotlights the day’s biggest movers:

• Merus N.V. (+32.55%) and Regencell Bioscience (+26.4%) lit up the biotech board.

• Uranium Energy Corp surged on nuclear momentum.

• On the flip side, Deckers Outdoor and Workday plunged on disappointing outlooks.

We also dive into:

• The options market’s defensive tilt and VIX jumping nearly 9%,

• ETF flows showing a retreat from tech and a move into commodity-linked names,

• A mixed day in crypto, with Bitcoin and Ethereum under pressure while Solana edged higher.

Lee wraps with what to watch after the Memorial Day break, including consumer confidence, Fed commentary, and key inflation reads.