Markets Rally on Fed Rate Cut; Gold Surges as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Europe, Snap Shares Jump | MarketReader Minute

Federal Reserve Cuts Rates, Boosting U.S. Stocks to Record Highs Amid Global Geopolitical Tensions and Rising Gold Prices.

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Monday, September 22

Noteworthy macro moves today: Ethereum -5.8%. Bitcoin -2.2%. Gold +0.9%. Noteworthy US mega-cap moves today: JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) -1.6%. Apple Inc (AAPL) +1.2%. Visa Inc (V) -0.7%. 

The Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points has significantly influenced market dynamics, leading to record highs in major U.S. stock indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. This dovish stance is expected to continue with projections for additional rate cuts later this year, which have bolstered investor sentiment despite concerns about a softening labor market.

In Europe, geopolitical tensions are negatively impacting markets; specifically, rising conflicts involving Russia have led investors to adopt a cautious approach amid fears of economic instability. The DAX index has seen declines due largely to losses in auto stocks following disappointing forecasts from companies like Volkswagen and Porsche regarding their electric vehicle plans.

Gold prices surged past $3,700 per ounce amidst these developments as it remains an attractive safe-haven asset during times of uncertainty. Central bank buying continues strong globally while expectations around further monetary easing support gold’s upward trajectory against the backdrop of fluctuating equity valuations across various sectors.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) [-2.3%]
Bitcoin has dropped significantly, moving down by 2.0% since Sunday, coinciding with a broader decline in cryptocurrencies following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points. This dovish stance has led to long liquidations surpassing $1 billion today, marking the largest liquidation event since March. Social media reports indicate that millions in long positions have been liquidated, while speculation around testing a price of $114,000 persists. Notably, Metaplanet has entered the top five corporate Bitcoin holders after acquiring over 5,400 BTC, bringing its total to approximately 25,555 BTC. Additionally, Bitcoin ETFs have seen significant inflows this week, with around 7,661 BTC purchased. Despite Bitcoin's price pressure, there has been a notable increase in bullish positions on Bitfinex, with long positions rising by 20%. Ethereum has also experienced a decline of nearly 6%, reflecting the prevailing market sentiment.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) [+0.9%]
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has seen a price increase of 1.0% in pre-market trading on Monday, coinciding with gold prices nearing record highs. Spot gold rose slightly to approximately 3,689 per ounce, while December futures climbed to around 3,724. Recent geopolitical tensions and expectations of further dovish monetary policy from the Federal Reserve have bolstered gold's appeal. Following a 25 basis point rate cut by the Fed last week, market sentiment anticipates additional cuts this year. Holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust increased by nearly 2% to 994.56 metric tons. Social media discussions highlight a significant rise in gold prices, with spot gold recently surpassing 3,720 per ounce and reflecting an almost 8% gain for the month.

FOXA | +4.8% | +1.4B
Fox Corp | Broadcasting

Fox Corp (FOXA) has seen a notable increase in its stock price, attributed to recent developments involving President Trump. During an appearance on Fox News, Trump revealed that Lachlan Murdoch, chairman of News Corp and CEO of Fox Corp, along with his father Rupert Murdoch, may invest in TikTok's U.S. operations. This potential investment aligns with discussions about ensuring that TikTok is majority-owned by Americans, with a board structure favoring U.S. citizens. Trump's announcement also highlighted the involvement of other prominent figures, including Larry Ellison of Oracle and Michael Dell of Dell Technologies. Social media conversations have underscored the significance of the Murdochs' potential role in this initiative, especially following Lachlan Murdoch's recent leadership transition at Fox Corp.

SNAP | +8.7% | +1.3B
Snap Inc | Interactive Media & Services

Shares of Snap Inc. have rallied significantly over the past week, driven by a major product announcement and ongoing uncertainty surrounding its chief competitor, TikTok. The stock saw record trading volumes, with over 202 million shares exchanged on September 18. This positive momentum was bolstered by the unveiling of Snap OS 2.0, a substantial software update for its augmented reality glasses, aimed at enhancing user experience ahead of a planned public launch in 2026. Despite a decline on Friday, Snap's stock surged overnight on Monday. Social media discussions highlighted a notable increase in call buying activity prior to the OS announcement, with users expressing mixed sentiments about the company's trajectory. Additionally, Snap was mentioned alongside Baidu and Pinterest in conversations regarding quarterly performance, suggesting an uptick in trading activity and interest in the stock's future potential.

OKLO | -2.8% | -442.8M
Oklo Inc | Electric Utilities

Oklo Inc. has recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first Aurora powerhouse, the Aurora-INL, at Idaho National Laboratory. This initiative is part of the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment. The project will utilize a sodium-cooled fast reactor design and is expected to create approximately 370 construction jobs and 70-80 long-term operational positions. Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. has been appointed as the lead constructor. Concurrently, social media discussions have noted Oklo's significant price movements, including a recent surge that saw it achieve an all-time intraday high and a substantial weekly increase. Users have expressed skepticism regarding its valuation of $20 billion despite the company's pre-revenue status, while also highlighting strong retail buying activity and its emergence as a "new meme stock."

STLA | -2.2% | -604.4M
Stellantis NV | Automobile Manufacturers

Stellantis NV reported a data breach involving unauthorized access to a third-party provider servicing its North American customer operations. The company activated incident response protocols and is conducting a comprehensive investigation. Notably, the breach involved only contact information, with no access to financial or sensitive personal data. Stellantis is notifying affected customers and authorities while advising them to remain vigilant against potential phishing attempts. Additionally, the Russell 2000 Index has decreased, reflecting broader market sentiment that may correlate with Stellantis's decline of 2.8%. This decline coincides with social media conversations featuring a unique dump truck converted into a tiny home, which mentioned Stellantis alongside other companies, though this appears more as an anecdotal observation than a direct market influence.

NVO | -1.9% | -3.8B
Novo Nordisk A/S | Pharmaceuticals

Novo Nordisk A/S is currently under significant scrutiny due to a class action lawsuit alleging securities fraud related to misleading statements about its growth potential and market conditions for its GLP-1 products. This lawsuit covers the period from May 7, 2025, to July 28, 2025. Following a downward revision of sales and profit forecasts for key products Wegovy and Ozempic, the company experienced a sharp decline in stock price. Recent reports suggest that these declining forecasts are adversely affecting Denmark's economic growth, given the pharmaceutical sector's importance to the national economy. Additionally, social media discussions have emerged regarding a potential recovery for Ozempic's manufacturer, referencing both Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly. Analyst ratings have shown mixed sentiment, with upgrades from some firms but a downgrade from Wall Street Zen.

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