The Small Cap Swing Trader Alert Archive
Below you'll find The Small Cap Swing Trader setups stacked up and ordered chronologically.AMD Revenue Beats, AI Demand Surges
AMD Earnings Report Q2 2025: Revenue Beats, AI Demand Surges
Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) delivered a mixed second-quarter earnings report Tuesday, posting better-than-expected revenue alongside in-line earnings—but the stock fell as investors digested the results after a strong three-month rally.
Strong Q2 Revenue and Data Center Growth
The AMD earnings report Q2 2025 revealed adjusted earnings per share of 48 cents, matching Wall Street’s consensus, according to FactSet. Revenue hit $7.7 billion, topping analyst expectations of $7.42 billion.
Notably, the company’s data center segment revenue grew 14% year-over-year to $3.2 billion, driven by demand for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence products.
Guidance and AI Momentum
For the current quarter, AMD guided revenue to a midpoint of $8.7 billion, surpassing the Street’s forecast of $8.32 billion. CEO Lisa Su struck an optimistic tone, stating, “We are seeing robust demand across our computing and AI product portfolio and are well positioned to deliver significant growth in the second half of the year.”
Investor excitement around AI continues to play a key role in AMD’s narrative. In June, the company unveiled the Instinct MI350 series, including the MI350X and MI355X chips, aimed at challenging Nvidia’s dominance in AI infrastructure.
Stock Reaction and Market Expectations
Despite the beat on revenue and positive guidance, AMD stock dropped 5.8% to $164.20 in premarket trading Wednesday, following the company’s earnings call. Investors may have been looking for a stronger upside surprise, especially after a 73% run-up over the past three months.
Year-to-date, shares are still up 44%, reflecting enthusiasm for AI-linked growth as tech giants boost capital expenditures.
Looking Ahead: MI400 and Full-Stack Solutions
CEO Lisa Su emphasized long-term growth potential, noting that customer interest in the upcoming MI400 series, expected in 2026, is “very strong.”
In March, AMD acquired ZT Systems, enhancing its ability to deliver rack-scale AI server solutions—a space currently led by Nvidia. This strategic move positions AMD to compete across the full stack, from silicon to systems to software.
“We are in the early stages of an industry-wide AI transformation,” Su said. “It will drive a step-function increase in compute demand across all of our markets.”
Conclusion
The AMD earnings report Q2 2025 offered a solid performance on the top line, bolstered by data center strength and a promising AI roadmap. While shares dipped post-call, the long-term growth story remains intact as AMD doubles down on AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.
Copper Tariff Impact 2025: Economic Implications Ahead
Trump Tariffs Trigger Historic Crash in U.S. Copper Market
In a stunning reversal that jolted metals markets, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper products—but exempted raw copper materials, sparking a 20% plunge in U.S. copper futures on Wednesday. If losses hold, it would mark the biggest single-day drop in copper prices since records began in 1968, eclipsing even the 1987 Black Monday crash.
🔧 What Happened?
Earlier this month, Trump said he intended to slap a 50% import tax on copper—sending U.S. copper prices soaring well above global benchmarks. Businesses scrambled to import copper ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, and domestic warehouses in Baltimore, New Orleans, and Detroit filled up with supplies.
But on Wednesday, just days before the tariff was to take effect, the White House issued a sharp pivot: the 50% duty would apply only to processed copper products—including wire, tubing, sheeting, and parts containing copper—not to raw copper materials like cathodes, concentrate, or scrap.
This carve-out stunned the market, crashing copper futures to pre-announcement levels—around $4.50 per pound, in line with global prices set by the London Metal Exchange.
📉 The Fallout
The policy shift dealt a blow to U.S. copper producers and companies preparing for a raw materials tariff:
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Freeport-McMoRan, the largest U.S. copper miner, fell 9.5%.
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Ivanhoe Electric, which is planning a major new Arizona mine, plunged 17%.
Meanwhile, domestic manufacturers of plumbing, electronics, and wiring stand to benefit, as the tariff shields them from foreign competition in finished products without increasing input costs.
The tariff also applies only to the copper content of mixed goods—such as electrical components or pipe fittings—not their full value. Automobiles are exempt from the copper tariff entirely.
⚙️ Policy Confusion and Market Whiplash
This move is the latest example of the volatility surrounding Trump’s trade agenda. While the original announcement fueled speculation that new smelting and mining capacity might be encouraged, the reality undercuts that optimism.
Bernstein analyst Bob Brackett warned investors weeks ago that the president’s off-the-cuff policy signals could lead to disappointment:
“Trump has declared massive tariffs before and then not implemented them,” Brackett wrote in a July 9 note.
He also noted:
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Over half of U.S. copper is imported, much of it from Chile, which had been lobbying for an exemption.
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The U.S. only has two operating copper smelters.
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Building a new smelter would take years and cost over $5 billion—a nonstarter given the limited time left in Trump’s current term and the historically low-margin nature of smelting.
“The tariff incents no proper economic action but rather simply adds cost to U.S. manufacturers,” Brackett concluded.
🧭 What Comes Next?
With U.S. copper prices now crashing back to earth, the short-term winners appear to be manufacturers, not miners or infrastructure investors. The reversal also highlights how quickly policy ambiguity can roil commodity markets.
While the administration may have sought to protect American manufacturing, the decision has undercut confidence in long-term resource development—and introduced fresh uncertainty for investors trying to interpret what’s next in the evolving trade strategy.
Apple Commits $100 Billion More to U.S.
Apple Commits $100 Billion More to U.S. Investment Amid Trade Shifts
Strategic Shift Toward U.S. Manufacturing
At the heart of the Apple U.S. investment 2025 plan is a renewed emphasis on domestic manufacturing. Apple announced that it will collaborate with U.S.-based suppliers, including Corning Inc., to build out its American supply chain through the new American Manufacturing Program.
One highlight: every iPhone and Apple Watch sold globally will soon feature glass made in Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky facility. Corning’s increased involvement led to a 4.4% spike in its stock during after-hours trading following the news.
20,000 New Jobs in High-Tech Fields
Apple also revealed plans to hire 20,000 new U.S. employees across research and development, silicon engineering, software development, and artificial intelligence. These hires are part of Apple’s commitment to becoming a leader in future-facing technologies while expanding its domestic footprint.
This job creation effort was first hinted at during Apple’s July 31 earnings call, where Cook stated the goal was to “drive innovation and create jobs in cutting-edge fields.”
Politics, Optics, and Tariffs
In a move designed for political resonance, Cook gifted President Trump a plaque made of Corning glass and 24-karat gold, featuring the Apple logo at its center. The gesture came as Trump reiterated his desire for more U.S.-based manufacturing.
“As you know, Apple’s been an investor in other countries—I won’t say which ones—but a couple. And they’re coming home,” Trump said.
The announcement also comes as Trump prepares to implement new tariffs on semiconductor components. Apple, facing pressure, has shifted some iPhone manufacturing to India to sidestep Chinese tariffs, a move Trump previously criticized.
Investor Confidence Rises
Shares of Apple rose 5.1% in regular trading and another 2.1% after hours. Analysts say the surge reflects investor confidence in Cook’s renewed alignment with the administration and proactive stance on avoiding punitive trade measures.
“When you play nice with the administration, you get better outcomes,” said Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson, who rates Apple a Buy with a $250 price target.
“The stock is up on the news—likely a relief rally,” added Nancy Tengler of Laffer Tengler Investments, noting that the gesture may ease tensions after months of political silence from Apple leadership.
The Big Picture for Apple
As global supply chains fracture and national security concerns drive new regulation, Apple’s U.S. investment 2025 initiative reflects a smart strategic pivot. By doubling down on domestic production and job creation, Apple is hedging against geopolitical risks while reinforcing its image as a patriotic innovator.
Apple’s future success will likely depend not just on innovation, but on its ability to manage relationships with policymakers, secure stable supply chains, and remain agile in a shifting global trade landscape.
Conclusion
The expanded Apple U.S. investment 2025 plan positions the tech giant as a key player in America’s economic future. With 20,000 new jobs, an AI-driven focus, and Corning’s Kentucky glass plant at the center of its manufacturing strategy, Apple is not just building devices—it’s helping rebuild a domestic technology infrastructure.
In the race for economic resilience and global leadership, Apple just made its next big move.
Lyft Q2 Earnings Report Misses
Lyft Q2 Earnings Report Misses Raises Growth Concerns
Earnings Beat Overshadowed by Revenue Miss
Lyft reported Q2 revenue of $1.59 billion, slightly below Wall Street’s expectations of $1.61 billion. However, it delivered a surprise profit of $0.10 per share, well above analyst estimates of just $0.04.
While the EPS beat demonstrates operational efficiency—likely the result of improved cost controls or pricing discipline—it wasn’t enough to offset investor disappointment with topline figures. Total rides came in at 234.8 million, short of the 235.7 million analysts were expecting, and gross bookings totaled $4.49 billion, missing the $4.50 billion consensus.
The market reaction was swift: Lyft shares dropped as much as 10% in after-hours trading, briefly touching $12.60 before recovering slightly to end down 7%.
Muted Guidance and Competitive Pressures
Looking ahead to Q3, Lyft anticipates gross bookings of $4.65 billion to $4.80 billion, representing 13% to 17% year-over-year growth. While this would mark a solid rebound, some analysts see the projected mid-teens rides growth as ambitious amid macroeconomic headwinds and rising competition.
The tepid response also reflects investor sentiment that Lyft is struggling to compete with Uber, which benefits from global diversification and additional revenue from its Uber Eats platform. Uber’s own Q2 results earlier this week also included an earnings beat—yet the stock still dipped, signaling that Wall Street is demanding more than just small wins.
Autonomous Vehicle Race: Still Playing Catch-Up
Earlier this week, Lyft announced a partnership with Baidu to roll out autonomous vehicles in Europe. The move marks a long-awaited step toward innovation but highlights how far Lyft still trails rivals like Uber, which already boasts partnerships with Waymo, Aurora, and Lucid.
While the Baidu collaboration offers potential, investors appear cautious, waiting for concrete results and real-world deployment milestones in the autonomous ride-hailing space.
Structural Limitations and Market Reach
Lyft’s geographic limitations are also a concern. The company remains largely confined to the U.S. and Canada, making it more vulnerable to regional risks. By contrast, Uber operates in over 70 countries and derives significant income from diversified business units, giving it a competitive edge in terms of scale and risk distribution.
Although Lyft has expanded into bike-sharing and scooter rentals, those revenue streams remain small and often fail to achieve profitability, especially in cities with high operational costs and regulatory burdens.
What Investors Want to See Next
- Consistent revenue growth that meets or beats analyst projections
- Faster global expansion and broader market penetration
- Tangible results from autonomous vehicle partnerships
- New, scalable revenue streams beyond ride-hailing
To regain Wall Street’s confidence, Lyft must not only improve its topline metrics but also demonstrate long-term strategic viability in a market dominated by rapidly evolving technology and fierce competition.
Conclusion
The Lyft Q2 earnings report reveals that profitability alone isn’t enough to satisfy investors in the ride-hailing space. With revenue and rider metrics falling just shy of expectations, and competition from Uber intensifying, Lyft faces a critical inflection point. The next few quarters may define whether the company can differentiate and grow—or continue to fall short in a consolidating industry.
Trump Hits India With 50% Tariff
Trump Hits India With 50% Tariff Over Russian Oil Ties: What Traders Should Watch Now
The decision, formalized through an executive order, is a direct response to India’s ongoing importation of Russian oil, which the White House claims is fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
“Articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent,” the order reads.
The new tariffs will go into effect in 21 days, while a previously announced 25% tariff is set to begin Thursday.
India Responds: “Unjustified and Unreasonable”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
The ministry noted:
“It is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”
Officials also highlighted the irony of the U.S. and European countries continuing commerce with Russia while criticizing India, whose energy imports are driven by national security needs.
Market Implications: Risk-On or Risk-Off?
🛢️ Oil and Energy Sector Volatility
Tariffs punishing Russian oil importers may tighten global supply, pushing up Brent crude, WTI, and energy ETFs like XLE and VDE.
💼 Emerging Market Pressure
India-focused ETFs and equities could see volatility. Watch for movement in INDA, INFY, and currency pairs like INR/USD.
🧾 U.S. Inflation Watch
Higher tariffs on Indian imports could impact U.S. consumer goods pricing, particularly pharmaceuticals, apparel, and auto components.
📉 Sentiment Shift in Global Trade
Trump’s executive order also instructs his team to review whether other nations are importing Russian oil, suggesting broader sanctions could follow.
Sector Watch: Who’s Vulnerable?
- U.S. importers from India: Generic drug makers, apparel retailers, and tech services firms may face margin pressure.
- Indian exporters: Watch for potential pullbacks in Infosys (INFY), Wipro (WIT), and Sun Pharma.
- Competing emerging markets: Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia may benefit as alternatives to India.
Final Thought: Sanctions as a Trade Weapon
President Trump’s move underscores a new era of U.S. economic statecraft—using trade policy to enforce geopolitical goals. This is not merely a trade dispute, but a test of loyalty in the global energy and security landscape.
TraderInsight Pro Tip: Set alerts for press releases from the USTR and White House. These announcements are increasingly triggering real-time market shifts. Consider volatility trades on INDA, oil futures, and tariff-sensitive U.S. equities.
Rivian Warns of Bigger Losses
Rivian Warns of Bigger Losses as EV Headwinds Mount: What Traders Need to Know
Deeper Losses Ahead
Rivian now expects a full-year adjusted loss between $2.0 billion and $2.25 billion, compared to its May guidance of $1.7–$1.9 billion. The company cited:
- Global supply chain pressures
- Tariff threats
- EV tax credit phase-outs
- Regulatory credit policy shifts
- Waning consumer demand in the U.S. EV market
“The global economic landscape and the U.S. regulatory environment present significant uncertainty… These factors have impacted and are expected to continue to impact our global supply chain, material costs and access, profitability and capital expenditures.” — Rivian shareholder letter
The EV Sector’s New Reality
1. Policy Uncertainty
The U.S. government is preparing to end certain EV tax credits after September 30, which could diminish buyer incentives and compress near-term demand.
2. Demand Normalization
The EV market is cooling, with early adopters already onboard and new buyers facing higher financing costs and limited charging infrastructure.
3. Fierce Competition
Rivian competes with legacy automakers scaling EV production (e.g., Ford, GM) and Tesla, which continues to adjust pricing. Meanwhile, Chinese EV giants like BYD are expanding aggressively.
What Traders Should Watch
1. Price Action Signals
Rivian stock is now approaching support near $16–$17. A break below could trigger a technical selloff.
2. Intraday Setup
- Opening Range Breakdown (ORB) setups below premarket lows
- VWAP fade strategies if the stock fails to reclaim VWAP
- Option flow for institutional positioning clues
3. Sentiment Shifts in Peers
Negative sentiment in RIVN could bleed into other EV names like Lucid (LCID), Fisker (FSR), and even Tesla (TSLA).
Still on Track: R2 Launch Holds Steady
Despite profit concerns, Rivian is progressing with its R2 mid-size SUV, targeting a launch in the first half of 2026. Pilot production has begun, and its Illinois factory expansion is nearly complete.
Final Thought: Rivian’s Growing Pains Are Becoming Costly
Rivian’s Q2 report shows a company still in its early growth stage—but now facing real macroeconomic and competitive pressures. Long-term potential exists, but short-term traders should be ready for heightened volatility.
TraderInsight Pro Tip: Track Rivian’s performance relative to TSLA and the Global X Autonomous & EV ETF (DRIV). Watch for new policy developments on EV tax credits and tariff enforcement—these will drive the next major move.