💰 Maniac Minute: Will The $5T Selloff Continue?

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Good morning, Maniacs!

The S&P 500 is officially in correction territory after shedding 10% from its February highs and wiping out $5 trillion in market value. Consumer confidence is tanking, inflation expectations just hit a 34-year high, and gold soared past $3,000 as investors rush for safety.

But not everything is crashing—one struggling real estate company just secured a lifeline, and a chip giant is making a major comeback move.

Let’s dive in!

Market Recap 📈

The market took another beating this week, with all three major indices down more than 2%.

The selloff is starting to weigh on confidence, as consumer sentiment dropped 11% in March—its lowest level since 2022. Inflation expectations aren’t helping either, surging to a 34-year high as investors brace for more pricing pressures.

Tariffs are only adding fuel to the fire. Trump’s latest round of levies—targeting steel, aluminum, and a potential 200% tax on EU liquor—has Wall Street bracing for more uncertainty.

Meanwhile, gold is thriving in the chaos. The precious metal topped $3,000 per ounce for the first time ever, as investors flock to safe-haven assets.

Despite all the red, Friday delivered a much-needed rebound—giving the S&P 500 its best day since Election Day.

While there’s no telling where markets head next, history indicates that only 25% of corrections (10% dips) turn into full-blown bear markets (20% declines).

That means 75% of the time, stocks find their footing before falling much further.

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Winners & Losers 🚀

The market dished out another wild week—big deals reshaped industries, while weak earnings and shaky consumer sentiment took down some heavy hitters.

Winners

1. Intel ($INTC) – Market Cap: $104.1B (+16.5%)

Intel just hit refresh. The chip giant named Lip-Bu Tan as CEO, a seasoned turnaround expert with deep semiconductor ties. Wall Street cheered, betting that he can fix the floundering foundry business and regain ground lost to Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor.

But the road won’t be easy—Trump’s push to scrap the CHIPS Act could strip Intel of billions in government funding. Investors are hopeful, but for now, Tan’s got his work cut out for him.

2. Redfin ($RDFN) – Market Cap: $1.4B (+83.8%)

Redfin just got a second chance at life. Rocket Mortgage ($RKT) announced a $1.75B all-stock acquisition of the struggling real estate platform, sending shares soaring.

The deal makes sense—the Redfin home search engine attracts nearly 50 million monthly visitors, and Rocket Mortgage is betting that turning those browsers into borrowers will create a one-stop real estate shop. The company expects $200M+ in annual synergies by 2027.

Losers

1. Delta Airlines ($DAL) – Market Cap: $30.2B (-12.3%)

Delta stock nosedived after the airline slashed its Q1 revenue and earnings forecasts, blaming “softness in domestic demand.” Consumer confidence—both in the economy and flight safety—has taken a hit, weighing on travel bookings.

The warning rattled investors, especially with recent data showing retail sales and consumer spending cooling off. While Delta insists premium and international travel remain strong, its stock is now down more than 20% YTD—right in line with United and American Airlines.

2. Oracle ($ORCL) – Market Cap: $418.6B (-3.8%)

Despite reporting strong demand for its cloud infrastructure business (up 49% YoY), Oracle missed revenue and earnings estimates, dragging shares back down to earth.

However, Oracle isn’t slowing down. It’s secured major AI deals with OpenAI, Meta, and Nvidia to power its data centers—betting big that cloud demand will drive future growth. The company expects a revenue rebound next year, forecasting a 15% increase after eking out just 6% growth this year.

How Does Your Retirement Compare? 🔎

If you’ve ever wondered how your retirement savings stack up, you’re in luck!

Fidelity’s latest data sheds some light on 401(k) and IRA balances across generations. While the analysis doesn’t include real estate, brokerage accounts, or HSAs, it does give a helpful view of the average American saver.

Generation Z (ages 13-28)

• Avg. 401(k): $13,500

• Avg. IRA: $6,672

Millennials (ages 29-44)

• Avg. 401(k): $67,300

• Avg. IRA: $25,109

Generation X (ages 45-60)

• Avg. 401(k): $192,300

• Avg. IRA: $103,952

Baby Boomers (ages 61-79)

• Avg. 401(k): $249,300

• Avg. IRA: $257,002

While benchmarking can be helpful (and let’s be honest, kind of fun), comparing yourself to others often leads to underinvesting.

Instead, focus on the key targets:

✔ Save at least 15% of your pre-tax income each year (Fidelity’s average was 14%)
✔ Aim to save 10x your salary by age 67
✔ Max out your employer match—it’s free money!
✔ Maintain a diversified portfolio with an age-appropriate asset allocation

Worth The Read 📚

💰 Without federal spending, what’s left of GDP? A new analysis breaks down just how much government dollars prop up economic growth.

🕒 Nasdaq is joining the 24/5 trading club, pushing for round-the-clock stock market access. But will investors bite, or will liquidity concerns keep them away?

🌿 The "Napa Valley of Cannabis" went up in smoke. Pueblo, Colorado, once dreamed of becoming a legal weed mecca. A decade later, that plan is collapsing.

💵 Stablecoin regulation gains traction in Congress, with lawmakers aiming to provide clarity on digital dollars and boost U.S. dollar dominance in global finance.

🌍 Only seven countries meet WHO air quality guidelines. A new report finds that nearly every country on Earth has dirtier air than doctors recommend for breathing.

📉 Goldman Sachs slashes its S&P 500 target to 6,200, as slowing growth and political uncertainty weigh on corporate profit forecasts.

👀 Commerce Secretary Lutnick says Trump's tariffs are "worth it," even if they trigger a recession.

The Week Ahead 🔍

A quieter week for earnings, but not for the economy. The Fed’s rate decision and updated economic projections will set the tone, while fresh data on housing and retail sales will highlight the strength of the consumer.

Monday

• February Retail Sales (est. 0.5% MoM, 3.5% YoY)

Tuesday

• February Housing Starts (est. 1.34M)

• February Building Permits (preliminary est. 1.45M)

Wednesday

• Earnings from General Mills and KB Home

• Fed Interest Rate Decision (est. 4.5%)

• FOMC Economic Projections

Thursday

• Earnings from Accenture, Nike, Micron, FedEx, Lululemon, Lennar, Darden, and FactSet

• February Existing Home Sales (est. 3.92M)

Friday

• No major reports

That’s a wrap! See you next Monday with all the market insights and money tips you need to stay ahead.

Keep stacking,
The Money Maniac 💸

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets. All opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change without notice. Please do your own research or consult with a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.