Calm Before the Catalysts: Fed Decision, Tech Earnings, and Trump-Xi Meeting Loom  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

October 29, 2025   |   Read Online   Dio Pouerie & Bo Nichols TQ Morning Briefing Calm Before the Catalysts: Fed Decision, Tech Earnings, and Trump-Xi Meeting Loom     From the T&Q Desk     U.S. equity markets climbed again Tuesday, extending their record run as investors balanced pre-Fed calm with mounting anticipation around Big Tech earnings.  The "Magnificent 7" added another 1.3%, lifting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new all-time highs, even as most other sectors drifted lower and breadth narrowed.  Treasury yields held near 4%, oil continued its war of attrition at $60 per barrel. Gold fell toward $3,980 an ounce, marking its lowest close in weeks. The dollar was flat against major peers, while volatility remained muted with the VIX near 15.  Earnings season remains strong, with 87% of companies beating expectations and median year-over-year growth of 11%. UPS surged after a sharp rebound in profit, and UnitedHealth raised its outlook, both reinforcing corporate resilience.  Microsoft's finalized 27% stake in OpenAI, alongside PayPal's integration with ChatGPT, added fresh fuel to the AI narrative driving markets to new heights.         Premier Feature     7 Income Machines Built to Make You Rich The 7 Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever aren't just plays for the next quarter - they're built to deliver for decades.  These are blue-chip companies with fortress balance sheets, elite dividend track records, and the staying power to outperform in bull and bear markets alike.  Some are Dividend Kings, others are on the path there, and all are proven wealth compounding machines.  Download the full list now - before it disappears behind the paywall.         Word Around the Street     Today may be the most consequential trading session of the quarter. The Federal Reserve is set to announce another 25-basis-point rate cut, continuing its cautious effort to insure against a potential slowdown.  The ongoing government shutdown has deprived policymakers of key labor and inflation data, forcing the Fed to navigate in near-fog conditions. Markets fully expect Chair Powell to stress flexibility and risk management, while signaling that the long-running balance-sheet runoff may be nearing an end. After the close, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta will deliver their quarterly results, setting the tone for the second half of earnings week.  With the S&P 500 up more than 17% year-to-date and valuations stretched, investors will be searching for proof that the AI boom is broadening beyond a handful of dominant names. The rally's concentration has grown stark: over the past five sessions, technology remains the only sector to outperform the index. Reuters Business @ReutersBiz WATCH: Nvidia on the verge of becoming the first company worth $5 trillion after the chipmaker said it had $500 billion in bookings for its artificial intelligence processors and that it will build seven new supercomputers for the US Department of Energy reut.rs/3JwKk7c   11:10 AM • Oct 29, 2025     9 Likes   5 Retweets   4 Replies Yet robust margins across industrials, financials, and utilities suggest the market's underlying foundation remains sturdier than headlines imply. For now, investors continue to climb a quiet wall of worry, balancing belief in earnings and liquidity against the unease of unknown data.  Every new high feels less like a sprint and more like a controlled ascent, steady, deliberate, and rooted in faith that the expansion still has room to breathe.         Global Policy Watch     The Federal Reserve's two-day meeting concludes this afternoon, with a quarter-point rate cut to the 3.75%–4.00% range fully priced in. Chair Powell's remarks will carry extra weight given the lack of recent employment or inflation figures during the fifth week of the government shutdown.  The statement is expected to emphasize a "moderate" growth outlook and acknowledge lingering uncertainty. Several analysts anticipate Powell will confirm that the Fed's $6.6 trillion balance sheet has reached its lower comfort range, setting the stage for an end to quantitative tightening before year-end. The Bank of Canada also meets today and is widely expected to follow the Fed's easing path, while the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan remain on hold. Together, their actions are shaping a synchronized turn toward accommodation that is reintroducing stability to global currency and bond markets heading into the final quarter.         Trade Winds & Global Shifts     President Trump's Asia tour continues to dominate the geopolitical backdrop. After signing a rare-earth supply deal in Tokyo with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump arrives in South Korea today for bilateral meetings ahead of Thursday's high-stakes summit with China's Xi Jinping in Busan. Bloomberg @business US President Donald Trump said he reached a trade agreement with South Korea as he attended a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung bloomberg.com/news/articles/… Trump Says He Reached A Deal On Trade With South Korea US President Donald Trump said he reached a trade agreement with South Korea as he attended a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.   10:20 AM • Oct 29, 2025     53 Likes   9 Retweets   5 Replies The Japan agreement strengthens supply-chain independence from Beijing and underscores Washington's push to secure critical mineral flows across the Indo-Pacific. Analysts expect the Trump–Xi meeting to yield an initial tariff rollback in exchange for Beijing's promise to curb fentanyl exports and ease export restrictions on rare earths.  While the policy impact may take years to materialize, the optics of cooperation are already filtering into markets as a sign that trade and technology rivalry may be stabilizing into a more predictable framework.         From Our Partners     This Makes NVIDIA Nervous NVIDIA's AI chips use huge amounts of power. But a new chip — powered by "TF3" — could cut energy use by 99%… And run 10 million times more efficiently. One U.S. company has cornered the TF3 market. They control the only commercial foundry in America. And at under $20 a share, it's a ground-floor shot at the next tech giant. Everything you need to know in this new presentation.         D.C. in the Driver's Seat     In Washington, the government shutdown entered its 29th day, deepening political strain as ACA premium data reignited partisan divides. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that average benchmark plan premiums will jump 26% in 2026, sparking renewed Democratic calls to preserve expanded subsidies that Republicans have tied to broader budget talks. Meanwhile, President Trump addressed speculation about a potential third term, telling reporters on Air Force One that "it's too bad" but "I'm not allowed to run," confirming the constitutional limit as his allies circulated 2028 campaign merchandise. The remarks came as he prepared for his South Korea visit, signaling an effort to refocus attention on trade diplomacy and away from domestic political theater.         Economic Data     Pending Home Sales Fed Interest Rate Decision     Earnings Reports     MSFT              FB GOOG           CAT NOW              VZ BA                  KLAC ADP               CVS SBUX             EQIX FISV               AEP CMG               PSX PSA                EBAY ETR                OTIS PRU         Overnight Markets     Asia: Nikkei +2.17%, Shanghai +0.70% Europe: FTSE +0.59%, DAX +0.02%         U.S. Pre-Market       From Our Partners     Here's how to "Follow the Money" when trading 0DTEs 0DTE volatility continues to challenge retail traders. But while most traders bleed, I developed an alternative way to "follow the money" on the SPY. This has led me to choose the right 0DTEs for a shot at daily cash backs from the options market. Naturally, we won't make any reckless promises when it comes to trading… But I've been sharing 3-5 of these picks to a private group of 594 traders, and right now, I'd like to show you how I find these, and even hand you today's picks entirely FREE. Go here for more details>>>         Opening Outlook     Markets continue to lean toward optimism. Confidence in earnings and policy support is outweighing data gaps and political noise. As traders brace for Powell's words and Big Tech's numbers, the broader tone remains constructive: risk appetite anchored in discipline, not exuberance.  The climb may be slow, but it is steady, and for now, belief in soft landings and stronger margins continues to hold.       Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2025 Traders & Quants, LLC 522 S. Hunt Club Blvd Suite 119 Apopka, FL 32703, United States of America Terms of Service