- Morning Bullets
- Posts
- Markets Rally on a Mirage? Powell Holds His Fire (2)
Markets Rally on a Mirage? Powell Holds His Fire (2)
Powell's cautious tone on jobs shakes confidence, while Trump's tariff blitz on India adds another layer to global trade tensions.
Not a fan of Fred? Click here for a one-click opt-out experience. One-Click Unsubscribe here. |

Markets Rally on a Mirage? Powell Holds His Fire Powell's cautious tone on jobs shakes confidence, while Trump's tariff blitz on India adds another layer to global trade tensions. July 31, 2025 |
MorningBullets is the fastest way to catch up on the market and political news that matter most to your money. Quick takes, sharp insight, and curated opportunities—served fresh every weekday morning. |
![]() |
Visualizing the fragile balance between Fed policy signals and escalating trade barriers. |
The economy posted 3% growth last quarter on paper. Dig a little deeper, and it’s mostly vanishing imports dressed as demand. – Truly yours, Fred Frost |
📈 Yesterday's Market RecapMarkets shrugged off Fed Chair Powell's hawkish hold on rates at 4.25%, with S&P 500 futures climbing nearly 1% premarket as investors bet on stability despite labor concerns. European and Asian indices mostly rose, though China's manufacturing dip dragged its benchmark down. Bitcoin held firm above $118,000, signaling crypto's resilience amid policy noise.
|
📈 Daily Performance Snapshot
|
Sponsored Content
|
🔭 What to Watch TodayWith Powell's labor warnings fresh, today's jobs report could dictate the Fed's next move—weak numbers might force an earlier rate cut, impacting everything from stocks to your mortgage. Keep an eye on Big Tech earnings too, as AI hype meets reality in a tariff-tinged economy. |
💡 Opportunity WatchAmid Fed caution and tariff uncertainties, savvy investors spot edges in resilient sectors like renewables and defense tech. These plays leverage policy shifts without relying on government handouts—true free-market winners.
|
Sponsored ContentBig Data Gold Rush: $MODE vs $PLTRPalantir helps corporations profit off your data. Mode Mobile flips the model—paying people instead. $325M+ earned, 50M+ users, and 32,481% growth. Shares are just $0.30. Will you ride the wave? 💰 Invest in Mode Mobile NowBy clicking the link above, you agree to receive periodic updates from our sponsor. |
🔥 The Big BulletGDP Pops, Powell Pauses—and Fed Unity CracksWhat happened: The U.S. economy surprised forecasters with a revised Q2 GDP growth rate of 3.0%, though most of the gain came from falling imports rather than surging demand. Meanwhile, the Fed held rates steady at 4.25–4.50% and struck a tone of "watchful patience." But buried in the fine print: two sitting governors—Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller—broke ranks and voted for a 25bp cut, marking the first dual dissent in decades. That rare fracture came amid mounting political pressure and a market eager for easing. All this as Big Tech kept the rally afloat: Meta and Microsoft blew past earnings expectations, helping the Nasdaq stay green even as broader indices softened. → Reuters, Investors Why it matters: Markets love a strong GDP print, until they peek under the hood. This "growth" is more accounting trick than economic firepower, complicating the Fed’s calculus. The added wrinkle? Internal dissent. When Fed governors start voting against the chair, the optics shift from unity to fragility. It’s not just about policy, it’s about credibility. The Powell Fed is still steering the ship, but the rudder may be looser than it looks. Megacap earnings continue to mask softness elsewhere, and while recession chatter is quieter, the structural risks remain unresolved. What’s next: All eyes turn to inflation and labor prints—, sticky PCE or hot payrolls will keep the Fed cautious. Meanwhile, watch for signs of more internal dissent or shifts in Powell’s messaging. If cracks widen, market volatility could spike as the “higher for longer” regime battles political and institutional noise. Tech may keep floating the market short-term, but the rally lacks breadth. Expect rotations, yield volatility, and more tariff drama to test investor resolve. |
Sponsored Content
|
🧭 Policy & Market Ripples
|
📉 What do you think?Is Trump Handling Powell Properly? |
|
Reply