Welcome Back,
Hi there
Good morning! In today’s issue, we’ll dig into the all of the latest moves and highlight what they mean for you right now. Along the way, you’ll find insights you can put to work immediately
Stock Market Update
Index snapshot
Dow Jones: +0.39%
S&P 500: +0.25%
Nasdaq: +0.59%
Russell 2000: -0.17% (small caps lag a bit)
VIX: down ~3.8%, sliding toward the mid-teens – a sign of calmer, risk-on sentiment.
Notable movers from your watchlist
Tech & chips:
Intel (INTC) popped ~+8.7%, a standout gainer among large caps.
Nvidia (NVDA) and Micron (MU) were modestly green, extending the broader AI-chip optimism.
Mega-cap growth:
Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT) both closed higher, helping lift the Nasdaq.
Meta (META) added close to +1%.
Retail & consumer:
Costco (COST) and Walmart (WMT) were both up, suggesting the consumer-staples side of the ledger is still sturdy.
Wayfair (W), however, dropped sharply, down nearly -8%, reminding investors that e-commerce retail is still a stock-picker’s game.
Financials & health:
Citigroup (C) and UnitedHealth (UNH) posted gains, adding to the broad-based but modest advance.
Takeaway:
Today had all the signs of a quiet, constructive, “risk-on but not euphoric” session: big indexes nudged higher, volatility eased, and leadership remained with quality growth and semiconductors.
Crypto Update
From the screen:
Bitcoin (BTC): around $91.9K, up ~0.7% on the day, and solidly higher over the past week.
Ethereum (ETH): near $3,015, up ~0.9% today with strong weekly gains.
Majors like BNB, Solana, XRP are modestly green today and posting healthy double-digit gains over the last 7–10 days.
Stablecoins remain flat, doing their job as “cash rails” for traders.
Tone of the market:
It’s a “controlled optimism” day in crypto – prices are grinding higher, not spiking. This is the kind of environment where:
Trend-followers keep adding on pullbacks.
Long-term investors mostly do nothing, simply letting the thesis play out.
Short-term traders watch for sharp reversals, because this asset class can still move 5–10% in a single headline.
Investor nudge: If you’re over-allocated to crypto after this run, consider rebalancing out of strength rather than waiting for the next bout of volatility to force your hand.
Real Estate Update
Mortgage market:
Fresh data shows 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovering around the high-6% range, with 15-year loans a bit above 6% and adjustable-rate options slightly lower. Rates have edged down just a touch versus last week, but remain well above pre-2022 levels, keeping affordability tight and negotiations active in many markets.
What this means for investors
Sellers still need to be realistic. Payments at today’s rates are heavy, so buyers with strong financing and quick closes can often ask for price cuts or concessions.
Cash-flow filters matter more than ever. Underwrite deals assuming today’s rate, not the rate you hope to refinance into later.
Shorter terms can be strategic. Some investors are using 10– or 15–year loans or ARMs to get a slightly better rate on properties with strong, stable cash flow.
Quick real-estate tip of the day:
If you find a property that cash-flows at current rates, run a “stress test” by adding +0.5% to the interest rate and knocking 5–10% off rents on your spreadsheet. If it still works, you’ve probably found a resilient deal.
Resource Update
From the commodities board:
Crude oil:
WTI: about $58.6/bbl, -1.15%
Brent: around $62.4/bbl, -1.25%
Recent reports point to traders weighing comfortable supplies and mixed demand signals, nudging prices modestly lower.
Refined products & gas:
Gasoline and heating oil were down roughly 2%+, echoing the softer crude market.
Natural gas:
Slightly lower on the day as well, after earlier weather-driven spikes.
Precious metals:
Gold: $4,224.70, down about 0.6% after recently flirting with record levels; profit-taking and stronger risk sentiment are pressuring prices. Silver: up ~0.8%, catching a small bid.
Platinum: down about 1.4%, while
Palladium: jumped nearly +2.8%.
Investor angle:
Falling oil prices can relieve some inflation pressure and help profit margins in transportation-heavy businesses.
Gold’s pullback after a big run often gives long-term hedgers a chance to add a small allocation without chasing all-time highs.
Always decide first why you own a commodity (inflation hedge, speculation, diversification) before deciding how much.
That’s All For Today
I hope you enjoyed today’s issue of The Wealth Wagon. If you have any questions regarding today’s issue or future issues feel free to reply to this email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Come back tomorrow for another great post. I hope to see you. 🤙
— Ryan Rincon, CEO and Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.
