10 Things Traders Need to Know Next Week
We're closing out another fun-filled week in the markets that included:
- A “chaotic for most, fun for some” FOMC day
- Yet another Nike (NKE) earnings bomb
- A Friday “stick save” by the bulls
- Strength in energy and banks
- Weakness in semiconductors & crypto currencies
So let's dig into 10 Things Traders Need to Know Next Week. Click the calendar for an events listing:
1. A Trump Tariff News Storm
The Trump administration will hand down new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which the President called “Liberation Day.”
Of course, we're likely to see a storm of conflicting headlines over the next week.
Do we get a fast compromise at the last minute?
Or does everyone play hardball?
There are almost too many scenarios to consider…
2. The Tim Walz Tesla Bottom?
Sami Abusaad is bullish on Tesla (TSLA), having recently bought 2,500 shares of the stock.
But Minnesota Governor and former VP candidate Tim Walz took the other side of the trade by cheering Tesla's slide off the highs:
If you need a little boost during the day, check out Tesla stock 📉 pic.twitter.com/KBEh6pOZLW
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) March 19, 2025
Yes, that was a real video. Not AI.
An American politician celebrated American investors losing money in an American company.
In public.
Tesla employs many thousands of Americans, with a significant employee base in Tim Walz' state of Minnesota.
Which begs the question — could this cheap publicity stunt mark a bottom?
Because the stock's rallied $20+ since then.
Maybe we can start calling him “Tesla Tim.”
What do you think?
3. PCE Price Index & GDP Report = Stagflation?
The FOMC Rate Decision & Press Conference dominated the news flow this past week.
The Fed kept rates steady as expected, while lowering its GDP growth forecast and increasing its PCE Price Index inflation projection.
And this coming week, we get the final Q4 GDP number (Thursday) and the February PCE Price Index Reports (Friday).
The Fed doesn't have the best forecasting track record in the world.
So traders are eager to see if actual numbers are in-line with the Fed's outlook.
Remember, stagflation is a major concern right now as the US economy slows.
We do not need numbers pointing in that direction.
4. KB Home (KBH) Earnings + Home Sales Data Will Tell Us About Housing
Homebuilder KB Home (KBH) reports Monday and will give us more insights on the housing market.
Lennar (LEN) took a hit on Friday after warning that high interest rates, stubborn inflation, and a limited home supply are hurting the housing market.
We'll also see New Home Sales data on Tuesday and Pending Home Sales on Thursday.
On a related note, our own David Prince of Inner Circle is predicting major turmoil in housing.
5. The Consumer Confidence Question May Be Answered
On Tuesday, we get CB Consumer Confidence for March.
With volatile stock markets, the April 2 tariff deadline approaching, and a lot of questions over the direction of inflation — how will consumers react?
Nike's (NKE) guidance didn't exactly inspire… but it's been quite a while since that company had anything good to say.
Interestingly, Lululemon (LULU) reports Thursday and might be a decent gauge of consumer spending on the high end.
6. A Crypto Bull Could Run the SEC
On Thursday, SEC Chair Nominee Paul Atkins will testify before the Senate Banking Committee.
Atkins is a big advocate for digital assets like Bitcoin — a big initiative for President Trump.
Bitcoin is way off the post-election highs:
If the Senate Banking Committee advances Atkins, the door opens for a vote to confirm his nomination.
The big question is — can Bitcoin actually hold up on that good news?
7. There Is Brute Force Strength in The Metals
The most under covered story in financial markets this year has been the rise in commodities – especially the metals.
While the SPY is down 4% YTD, commodities have been skyrocketing, as you can see in the chart:
Natural gas, gold, silver, copper, and plenty of other commodities have been ripping this year.
The metals in particular are suddenly getting attention now that Gold passed the $3,000 mark — something JR Romero predicted early last year.
Are the metals being stockpiled in advance of global financial chaos?
That's a big, big question.
8. Traders Might Get Less Miserable
Based on sentiment indicators like the AAII Sentiment Survey and CNN Fear & Greed Index, traders are in a pretty rotten mood:
The AAII data has been shockingly bearish for 4 straight weeks.
Could traders be too pessimistic into the April 2 Tariff deadlines?
That's another big consideration.
The VIX Curve was even recently inverted, though that's resolved itself as equity markets stabilized.
9. Growth Stocks Could Lift the Mood
Growth names have been under fire. The average QQQ stock is 22% off its 52-week high.
The two flagships – Nvidia (NVDA) and Palantir (PLTR) – reversed hard off their morning lows Friday.
If they continue higher, that could be a big mood enhancer for beaten-down bulls.
Robinhood (HOOD), AppLovin (APP), and Reddit (RDDT) are others to watch here.
10. China Needs to Step Up
Chinese stocks like Alibaba (BABA) and Baidu (BIDU) were hot… until they weren't.
Did that hot trade get overcrowded?
FXI has pulled back less than 10% so far.
Let's see if dip buyers step up.