TACOs, Tariffs & Tech: How We Outplayed the Market in May

Hey Market Mastery crew! 👋

This week, the markets were anything but boring.

From Trump’s latest tariff shuffle to Nvidia’s AI-fueled rally and a Federal Reserve inflation check, we’ve got it all.

And yes, we’ll also reveal how our SIC coach’s brand-new $10K trading account performed in week one.

Let’s just say... it didn’t disappoint.

Let’s dive in. 🚀

🌍 Trump Blinks First, Wall Street Cheers

After spooking markets last week with a 50% EU tariff threat, Trump walked it back Tuesday, postponing the duties until July 9 after a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

That single move ignited a relief rally:
- The Dow surged 740 points,
- The S&P 500 jumped 2.1%,
- and the Nasdaq flew 2.5% higher.

Investors are now coining the “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out), buying into weakness whenever tariff tantrums hit, anticipating a rebound once Trump folds.

🤖 Nvidia Hype Triggers Jitters

On Wednesday, the rally paused.

Markets slipped slightly as traders braced for Nvidia’s earnings, fearing another post-report sell-off despite high expectations.

Nvidia, Broadcom, and Apple were mixed.

Retailers like Abercrombie soared (+15%), while crypto stocks slid as Bitcoin retreated to $107,300.

Meanwhile, treasury yields ticked up to 4.48%, oil rebounded, and gold dipped slightly for the second day.

🚀 Nvidia Delivers, Court Rains on Tariffs

Thursday brought clarity.

Nvidia crushed earnings – $44B in revenue (+69%) – reigniting the AI boom.

The Nasdaq rose 0.4%, and Nvidia briefly reclaimed the world’s top market cap spot.

But a federal court ruled Trump overstepped with his tariff powers, only to be met by an appeals court pause hours later.

Tariff volatility lives on.

Elsewhere, Boeing gained 3% on news of resumed China deliveries.

HP and Best Buy plunged on tariff impact warnings.

Bitcoin slid further to $106,300.

📉 Tariff Uncertainty Returns, But May Ends With a Bang

Friday started hot, ended cautious.

Trump accused China of violating their tariff truce, reviving fears.

Markets wobbled: Nasdaq -0.3%, S&P flat, Dow +0.1%.

Still, May was massive:
- S&P 500 +6.2%,
- Nasdaq +9.6%,
- Dow +3.9% — the best monthly showing since 2023.

Nvidia and Tesla dropped 3%, while Palantir popped nearly 8%.

Ulta Beauty surged 12% on strong earnings.

Gold fell to $3,290, and Bitcoin dipped to $104,600.

🚀 SIC $10K Account Beats the Market

Last week we kicked off the $10K SIC trading account — and in just one week, it’s already up 1.49%, while the S&P 500 dipped -0.48% over the same stretch.

If you followed the trades with us, congrats — you not only stayed ahead, you outperformed the index.

But more importantly, you learned the reasoning behind each move — because SIC isn’t just about copying trades, it’s about mastering the mindset and strategy of pro-level investing.

💡 And if you haven’t joined the SIC family yet, what are you waiting for?

No theory. No fluff. Just live trades, tight risk management, and weekly wins you can replicate.

🔗 Join the SIC Journey Here (Affiliate Link)

Let’s grow this $10K together — one smart trade at a time. 💪

A new month means a fresh round of market-moving data — and this week, every release could shake sentiment:

Fed in the Spotlight

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and several regional presidents are scheduled to speak throughout the week.

Expect markets to hang on every word, especially with inflation and tariffs top of mind.

Corporate Pulse

Earnings from Broadcom, Lululemon, CrowdStrike, and Dollar Tree will offer a reality check on whether tech and retail can keep defying macro headwinds.

Productivity & PMI

Updated productivity numbers and PMI reports will help paint a picture of how efficient — or sluggish — the economy really is under the surface.

Trade & Consumer Health

April’s trade deficit and consumer credit data could shed light on both international pressure points and domestic resilience.

Weak credit growth might signal caution from households.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Friday’s U.S. employment report is the heavyweight on the calendar.

After April’s inflation surprise, investors are watching to see if hiring cools, which could open the door to a Fed rate cut.

This isn’t the week to zone out.

With every sector reacting differently to macro data, a proactive strategy will be key.

Markets wrapped May with strong momentum — especially tech — despite choppy day-to-day swings and a heavy dose of trade drama.

AI continues to dominate headlines and portfolios, while economic indicators are sending mixed signals.

Inflation shows signs of cooling, but uncertainty around tariffs and Fed policy remains.

Until next week, stay nimble, stay informed, and keep your playbook tight.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!