🧪💘 Valentines Day Trades

Good Morning!

Happy Valentine’s Day, traders! Whether you’re celebrating with chocolates, stocks, or a glass of red wine, today’s market moves are serving up plenty of action. The S&P 500 flirts with a new record, while inflation looms like a clingy ex. GameStop’s caught the crypto bug, and TikTok’s back in the app stores just in time for its love affair with U.S. users to continue. Oh, and let’s not forget Trump’s latest tariff moves—because nothing says romance like trade policy drama.

There’s a lot to unpack, and we’ve got all the juicy details to keep your portfolio thriving. Read on for the full scoop—you don’t want to miss this one. 💘

Let’s get into it 👇

📊 We Want Your Input: Should We Add a Monday Edition?

I’m thinking of launching a Monday edition that politicians are going to hate. 

Why? Because it’ll shine a light on what they’re secretly trading—a peek into the moves they’re making with access to insider-level info before the rest of us.

Imagine starting your Monday morning by seeing what moves Nancy Pelosi and others are making—and getting some inspiration for your next trade. 👀

Here’s the idea:

• Delivered every Monday morning—just in time for the week ahead.

• A comprehensive weekly round-up of trades declared by politicians.

• I’ll give a my insight on the trades from the previous week.

Would you be interested? Let us know below!

🌡 TradingLab’s Headline Roundup

Stock Markets

• S&P 500 on Cusp of New Record. Are Traders Trifling with Rising Inflation? You Bet.

• GameStop Stock Takes Off on Possible Pivot to Bitcoin and Crypto Investments

• Coinbase Stock Gets No Boost Despite Whopping 130% Revenue Growth

Crypto

• Blockchain games see 3x year-on-year rise in activity for January

• SEC acknowledges Grayscale’s XRP and DOGE ETF filings

• Ethereum devs release upgrade on testnets; mainnet launch expected in April

• Sniper Earns $27.8M from Memecoin Trading After CZ's Dog Announcement

Commodities/Forex

• Sterling Shoots Through $1.25 as UK Economy Posts Surprise Uptick

• EUR/USD regains traction above 1.0450 ahead of Eurozone data

Upcoming Earnings

📅 Friday, 14 February

• Moderna (MRNA)

• Portland General Electric (POR)

📈 What’s Moving Markets Today?

It’s Friday, and the markets are giving us just enough drama to keep things interesting. U.S. stock futures are pointing higher as traders digest President Trump’s latest tariff theatrics and the aftermath of inflation data earlier this week. Buckle up, because we’ve got a lot to unpack.

🔍 Futures Broadly Higher

Futures are doing their best to recover after a rollercoaster week of inflation reports and trade policy drama. By early this morning:

• S&P 500 futures gained 6 points (0.1%), while the Nasdaq 100 futures added 28 points (0.1%). Dow futures were more subdued, hovering near the flatline.

• Yesterday, Wall Street showed some resilience. The S&P 500 rallied close to its all-time peak, with heavy hitters like Apple and Nvidia leading the charge.

• The drop in 10-year Treasury yields caught everyone’s attention, signaling relief among investors. This comes after hotter-than-expected CPI data midweek squashed hopes of any near-term Fed rate cuts.

In individual stocks, AppLovin jumped over 20% on a strong earnings beat, continuing its jaw-dropping 906% surge over the past year.

🤔 Trump’s Tariff Tightrope

The tariff saga continues, with Trump ordering his economic team to devise a plan for reciprocal tariffs on countries charging duties on U.S. imports. While the market took a breather knowing these tariffs weren’t immediately enacted, analysts are bracing for potential moves later this year.

Key takeaways:

• The plan includes removing non-tariff barriers like vehicle safety restrictions and value-added taxes imposed by trading partners.

• Countries in Trump’s crosshairs include the EU, South Korea, and Japan, alongside the usual tension with China.

• Experts like Josh Lipsky from the Atlantic Council warn that this isn’t just posturing—it’s a strategic escalation.

For now, markets seem to be welcoming the delayed timeline. But let’s be real—this could turn into a global trade mess by year-end.

🕺 TikTok Is Back on U.S. App Stores

In a twist that should surprise no one, TikTok has returned to Apple and Google app stores after a brief hiatus due to regulatory drama. Trump’s earlier ban on the app was delayed, giving TikTok some breathing room to make its comeback.

Here’s the scoop:

• TikTok’s removal stemmed from U.S. demands that ByteDance sell its stake in the app or risk a shutdown.

• Analysts believe Apple and Google only greenlit TikTok’s return after assurances they wouldn’t face legal fallout for hosting the app.

• The app is now back in action, serving its nearly 100 million U.S. users who were briefly left in limbo.

🎮 GameStop Eyes Crypto Moves

GameStop is back in the spotlight, and no, it’s not about meme stocks this time. The company is reportedly mulling investments in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The news sent shares surging by as much as 20% in after-hours trading, though gains have since cooled.

What’s the deal?

• Sources say GameStop is exploring alternative asset classes as part of its turnaround strategy.

• While no final decision has been made, the buzz alone is enough to rekindle investor interest.

• Oh, and Michael Saylor—aka Mr. Bitcoin—is not involved, despite a recent sighting with GameStop’s CEO.

If GameStop pulls the trigger, this could mark a major pivot for the retailer, which became a cultural phenomenon during the 2021 meme stock craze.

🚗 Apple’s AI Ambitions in China

Apple is making moves in the AI space, specifically in China. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is targeting a mid-2025 launch for its AI features in Chinese devices, working with local players to meet Beijing’s stringent regulations.

Highlights:

• Apple’s AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence, will integrate with Chinese giants like Alibaba and Baidu.

• The push aligns with Apple’s strategy to expand its footprint in China, where local adaptation is key.

• A May 2025 launch is reportedly in sight, giving Apple enough time to fine-tune its models for compliance.

So, What’s the Vibe?

Markets are holding steady, but the undercurrents are strong. Between Trump’s tariff saber-rattling, inflation anxiety, and GameStop flirting with crypto, there’s no shortage of headlines to keep us on our toes. Stay sharp—next week could bring even more fireworks.

Stay ahead, stay informed, and most importantly, stay profitable.

‘til next time,

TradingLab