14th April 2025

S&P 500 Gains Amid Tariff Pause:

• The S&P 500 rose 1.4% today (14.04), driven by the Trump administration's temporary exemption of consumer electronics from tariffs. However, officials warned that the reprieve may be short-lived [see last issue].

• Tech stocks, including Apple (+3.4%) and Nvidia (+1.8%), led the gains. Nonetheless, the S&P 500 remains 3.9% lower since Trump's tariff actions began on April 2.

• Analysts noted that the pause indicates sensitivity to market stress but warned that uncertainty over tariffs persists.
  
  

Goldman Sachs Optimism and Strong Q1 Results:

• Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon expressed hope that feedback from corporate America would push the Trump administration toward policies fostering economic certainty and growth.

• Despite trade war concerns, Goldman reported record Q1 equities trading revenue of $4.2 billion (+27% YoY), contributing to $4.7 billion in net income (+15% YoY).

• Volatility benefited trading divisions but dampened investment banking activity, with fees falling 8% as new deal activity hit decade lows.
  
  

NATO Acquires AI System from Palantir:

• NATO purchased Palantir’s Maven Smart System (MSS Nato), an AI-powered platform for intelligence fusion, targeting, and operational planning, amid concerns over US defense commitments and rising global AI capabilities.

• The system, operational within 30 days, is one of NATO’s fastest acquisitions and highlights North American-European tech collaboration.

• Palantir has secured significant US defense contracts and is a key player in AI-driven military technology.
  
  

News written by Iskander Shyngyssov | Published by Zhangir Zhangaskin