Market Flashpoints

Nvidia ’s record-setting AI surge and Walmart ’s strong consumer results are shaping the American economy and a review of the stock market's dramatic reversal on Thursday, what it signals for investors, and how technology, tariffs, and market volatility all fit into the big economic picture.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected].

This episode’s title draws inspiration from Jimi Hendrix’s monumental song “Purple Haze” (circa 1967) .

A look at the economic impact of the government shutdown and a look at the recent AI debt spiral and its ramifications.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected].

This episode's title draws inspiration from Dire Straits' 1985 hit, 'Money for Nothing.'

A high level review of the robust earnings reporting for the third quarter, and a look at the capital spending driven "higher velocity economy" and it's profound ramifications.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected].

3 big stories this week: major earnings from five of the Magnificent 7 tech companies, another temporary truce in U.S.-China trade talks, and market disappointment despite another Federal reserve interest rate cut.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]

Disappointing earnings from Netflix and Tesla drove markets, inflation came in better than expected and markets prepare for "earnings palooza" next week when 5 of the "Mag 7" giants report earnings.

This episode's title draws inspiration from Led Zeppelin's 1969 hit 'Communication Breakdown.'

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]

Financial "cockroaches" are surfacing in the banking sector, raising fears about risky loans and tighter credit. The ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute continues with both sides using key resource control and tariffs as leverage ahead of a critical meeting. This week’s spotlight: the pros and cons of the U.S. government’s direct investing in American companies to secure critical supply chains.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]

Audio version of the Fall 2025 update (text version available on substack at fpmcapital.substack.com). Highlights include a review of strong financial market returns during the third quarter, boosted by strong corporate earnings, AI investment boom and an easing interest rate cycle, and a look ahead at trends which may shape the economy and markets as we head into year end.

A look into U.S./China trade tension escalation, the blockbuster AI deal between AMD and OpenAI, spotlighting a $100 billion-plus investment that could reshape AI hardware competition and market dynamics, and a preview of the upcoming earnings season kickoff with JPMorgan and other banking giants, a key economic barometer.

Plus, gold hits an all-time high above $4,000 an ounce, signaling growing global economic uncertainty as central banks diversify away from the dollar.

This episode’s title draws inspiration from David Bowie’s song “Golden Years” (circa 1975) and its recurring hook "run for the shadows" which means to seek refuge, acknowledging that the good times are temporary and a difficult, "shadowy" period is coming.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]

A look at the federal government shutdown and its impact on economic data releases and market uncertainty, an overview of Anthropic's breakthrough AI model which can autonomously code for 30 hours, exploring what this means for jobs and the broader economy and an examination of the "two-speed economy"—where headline growth numbers look strong, but many consumers face mounting financial stress and a frozen job market that's making it harder to get ahead.

This episode's title draws inspiration from The Verve's 1997 hit 'Bitter Sweet Symphony,' reflecting the contradictory nature of today's economic data.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]

This week featured massive AI deals from Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, and Alibaba which generated market excitement but raised concerns about potentially risky financing, while second quarter economic growth was revised sharply higher. Bonus content: a conservative approach to cryptocurrency investing, using a market capitalization-weighted strategy for core Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP positions.

Your feedback and comments are appreciated, please email to: [email protected]