Ep49: Tech Leads, Intel’s Surge & Fed’s Forward Promise — September 18th, 2025

Wall Street pushed all major U.S. indexes into new record territory as investors cheered a tech-led rally anchored by the Nvidia-Intel investment deal and a long-anticipated 25-basis-point rate cut from the Fed. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to 6,631.96, the Dow added 124.10 points to 46,142.42, and the Nasdaq jumped 0.9% to 22,470.73, while the Russell 2000 surged 2.5% to 2,467.70. The day’s strength was bolstered by semiconductors—Intel’s massive move on renewed performance since 1987 led the way—alongside rising Treasury yields and renewed optimism about further rate cuts this year. Oil eased slightly amid oversupply concerns, gold held firm, and Bitcoin climbed past $117,000. This episode walks through those highs, the tech surges, the policy undercurrents, and what it might all mean for markets as lofty valuations collide with cautious hope.