📈 Market Recap: Fed Holds Steady, Global Tensions Rise

Hey traders,

The markets were anything but quiet this week as Wall Street digested the latest Fed update, ongoing inflation dynamics, and renewed geopolitical concerns out of the Middle East. Here’s what you need to know heading into the final stretch of June.

🏦 FOMC Recap: Rates Hold, Patience Stays

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady as expected, keeping the federal funds rate at its current range of 5.25%–5.50%. However, the real story came from the dot plot and Chair Powell’s cautious tone:

• Only one rate cut is now forecast for 2024, down from three in March

• Powell emphasized the need for “greater confidence” that inflation is heading sustainably to 2%

• The market reacted with mixed sentiment — some relief that there was no hike, but also disappointment at the slower pace of easing

💡 Bottom Line: The Fed is staying patient, and markets will likely remain sensitive to every inflation print moving forward. Oil spikes with Middle East tensions, which could contribute to further inflation.

🌍 Middle East Tensions Weigh on Risk Sentiment

New flare-ups in the Middle East continued to spook global markets. Reports of escalating military action and rising energy supply concerns triggered a defensive rotation into safe havens:

• Gold and oil saw renewed bids

• Defense stocks outperformed

• Broader indices traded with caution midweek before recovering slightly by Friday

Uncertainty remains high, and global headlines will likely keep volatility elevated.

📊 Market Snapshot: Sideways Chop with Rotation Beneath

Despite the drama, the major indices stayed within range:

• $SPY: Struggled to push higher post-FOMC, but held key support levels

• $QQQ: Continued strength in mega-cap tech kept the index buoyant

• Small caps and cyclicals underperformed amid rate and global uncertainty

Key sector rotations are underway — traders are watching tech leadership, bond yields, and oil markets closely. Earnings season for Q2 reports is right around the corner!

🎥 In Case You Missed It — ICC Livestreams from last week

We broke down all the action and answered your questions LIVE on this week’s Closing Bell sessions — featuring real-time STAX AI insights and analysis from E.Roo and Max!

• 📺 Watch Tuesday's Recap - some earnings insights and predictions for the markets, let us know if you enjoyed it!

• 📺 Watch Wednesday's Breakdown - we saw 175M of SPY Calls come in, and with today’s ceasefire rumors, the markets pumped up higher!

Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss our real-time analysis! Leave us a like and a comment so we know you’re watching!

🚀 STAX AI: Still Printing in June

STAX AI continues to crush the market with high-conviction alerts and proven follow-through. Be on the lookout this week for our Mid-June Backtesting Update.

✅ This month’s STAX AI wins will be posted soon — don’t miss them.

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Stay sharp and stay informed — we’ll see you on the next stream and in the Discord!

– Investor Central Team