The Executive Review #6

This article was written on May 18th, 2025. Things may have changed by the time you read this. For more information on stocks and the stock market, go to TradingView. 

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Independent Companies & and the Government

Since mid-April, the world of business and politics has only gotten more intense.

President Trump has followed through on a fresh round of tariffs, this time targeting European electric vehicles and high-end consumer goods like wine, cheese, and luxury fashion. According to the administration, these moves are meant to level the playing field for U.S. car manufacturers and boost domestic production, especially in states like Michigan and Ohio. However, the European Union responded almost immediately with tariffs of their own, hitting U.S. agricultural exports such as corn, soybeans, and poultry. Economists are warning that we could be entering another full-scale trade standoff.

Speaking of electric vehicles, Tesla has made another unexpected announcement: the “Cyberab,” which was introduced this year, will begin limited trials in Austin and Miami starting in June. The program will involve a small number of self-driving vehicles without steering wheels or pedals, operating in “geofenced” downtown zones. Elon Musk claimed on X that these vehicles are “safer than human drivers and 100% ready,” although regulators seem far less convinced. The Department of Transportation has said it will monitor the pilot program closely, and safety advocacy groups are already expressing concern.

Another big headline came from Microsoft, which has officially launched its “OfficeAI” suite–a completely AI-enhanced version of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, built on GPT-5. The update includes auto-generated documents, real time data visualization, and predictive analytics. Early reviews from tech journalists have been largely positive, though some users are reporting bugs and concerns over how the AI handles sensitive company data. Microsoft says it is working on further security features and expects full enterprise rollout by July.

And in a more unusual twist, Netflix is now quietly testing a new feature: Netflix Marketplace. This platform would allow viewers to purchase items directly related to shows or movies–like clothes worn by actors or items used on set. While still in beta, this move suggests Netflix is trying to open up new revenue channels beyond subscriptions. Investors are curious, and the stock has seen a small bump since the soft launch.

Stocks

The stock market has been mostly steady since mid-April, but tensions from the new tariffs have introduced some ups and downs–especially for companies that rely on imports or international sales.

Tesla (TSLA): After the Cybercab trial announcement, shares rose about 4.7%. Investors are cautiously optimistic about robotaxis, though some remain skeptical due to regulatory hurdles and past delays.

Microsoft (MSFT): The official launch of OfficeAI gave the stock a 3.9% boost. Traders like the idea of recurring enterprise revenue, especially with companies upgrading their software to AI-integrated platforms.

Netflix (NFLX): Shares went up 2.5% after news of its Netflix Marketplace beta. While it’s early, some investors see it as a smart way to tap into fan engagement and merchandise sales. 

Apple (AAPL): After a small dip earlier this quarter, Apple has rebounded 2.1% thanks to strong early demand for its AI-powered iPhone 17 Pro Max. Analysts say pre-orders look promising in key international markets.

S&P 500: Up 1.4% since mid-April. Most gains came from tech and industrials, while retail and agriculture-related stocks have struggled due to tariff fears.

Dow Jones: Up 0.9%, still lagging a bit behind the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Analysts say defensive stocks (like utilities and consumer staples) are seeing more attention as trade tendons rise.

Nasdaq: Up 2.2%, leading the pack again. AI, software, and chip makers continue to drive growth, though some warn the tech rally is starting to look a little stretched.

Bitcoin: Trading around $103,400, up slightly last month. Still volatile, but more investors seem to be treating it like digital gold amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Gold: Prices have ticked up 1.8% this month, which usually signals some investor nervousness. That’s not surprising, considering that the EU trade retaliation and inflation are still volatile.

And that’s the end for this year’s Executive Review! What a year full of uncertainty and excitement. Season 2 will be starting in September so stay tuned, and have a good summer.