Powell's Last Press Conference, $115 Oil & Alphabet's Blowout Quarter | Stonkcast Midweek

📅 New episodes every Thursday at 6AM ET and Sunday at 7PM ET — market updates, prep, momentum plays, and trade ideas.💸 Support Stonkcast: If you're getting value, consider buying Brandon a coffee or helping cover production costs. 🔗 https://paypal.me/stonkcast📈 Level Up Your Charts: Get $15 off TradingView — the charting platform I trust every day. 🔗 https://tradingview.com/?aff_id=154886🛒 Shop Stonkcast Merch: 🔗 http://stonkcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all🐦 Follow on X: 🔗 http://x.com/StonkcastShow🎧 Listen On-the-Go: Catch every episode on your favorite podcast app. 🔗 https://pod.link/1791475353This is the midweek episode you can't skip.Jerome Powell delivered what is likely his final press conference as Federal Reserve Chair — and the meeting behind it was anything but routine. The FOMC voted 8-4 to hold rates at 3.5%–3.75%, the most divided decision since 1992. Three dissenters pushed back specifically against easing-bias language in the statement, signaling they don't want rate cuts on the table. Powell announced he'll stay on as a Board Governor, keeping his seat from opening up even as Kevin Warsh prepares to take the chair. We break down what a fractured Fed means for investors under new leadership.Then we cover what's driving markets right now: Brent crude hit $115 per barrel Wednesday with the Strait of Hormuz still effectively sealed. National gas prices crossed $4.23 — a four-year high. Goldman Sachs now warns oil could reach $150 per barrel if flows don't resume by end of June, and even a deal tomorrow would take months to normalize supply. We explain why this isn't just an energy trade — it's an inflation story that directly complicates the Fed's path.On the brighter side: Alphabet delivered one of the most impressive earnings reports in Big Tech history. Revenue hit $109.9 billion, up 22% year-over-year, with EPS of $5.11 nearly doubling the Wall Street consensus of $2.63. Google Cloud surged 63% year-over-year to $20 billion. We break down why Alphabet is the clear standout of Mag 7 earnings week and what it means for the AI spending thesis.We close with a macro triple-header: the Q1 GDP Advance Estimate, March PCE inflation data, and the Employment Cost Index all drop simultaneously at 8:30 AM ET. The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow tracker sits at 1.2% — well below the 2–3% range most traders are hoping for. If GDP disappoints and PCE re-accelerates, you get the stagflation signal markets have been dreading. We break down every scenario and how to position heading into the weekend.Apple also reports tonight. Consensus is $1.92 EPS on $109.45 billion in revenue — but the real story is the Tim Cook-to-Ternus CEO transition. Every word on that call will be scrutinized.⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investing involves risk. Always do your own research or consult a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.