Fed Cuts, Nvidia Rescues Intel, and Amex Tests Loyalty with $895 Fee

Money Masters' Market Pulse Week 38

September 19, 2025

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Dear Money Master,

Markets were mixed this week as the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, signaling two more cuts before year-end to counter labor market weakness. On the tech front, Nvidia stunned Wall Street with a $5B investment in Intel, offering the struggling chipmaker a lifeline. Meanwhile, Microsoft is pouring $4B into a new Wisconsin data center, reinforcing the AI arms race, and Meta launched $799 Ray-Ban smart glasses, hinting at a future of wearable computing.

In consumer finance, American Express hiked its Platinum card fee to $895, but doubled rewards to $3,500 annually to justify the cost. The IPO market also came alive with Netskope debuting at a $7.3B valuation, reflecting investor appetite for cybersecurity bets.

Earnings also painted a mixed picture: Darden Restaurants topped sales forecasts but missed EPS, Cracker Barrel fell short and dropped, while NRG Energy lifted full-year guidance, showing resilience in utilities. And across the pond, Deliveroo’s co-founder Will Shu announced his exit as DoorDash closes in on its $4B acquisition.🌍💼

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - September 19th, 2025

🌍 Economics & Finance:

  1. Fed Delivers Quarter-Point Rate Cut Amid Jobs Concerns 🏦
    The Fed lowered rates to 4.00–4.25% in an 11–1 vote, signaling two more cuts this year. The move highlights mounting labor market weakness, despite lingering inflation. Read More

  2. Amex Platinum Card Refresh Pushes Fee to $895 💳
    Cardholders now face a 29% higher fee but gain access to $3,500 in annual perks, more than double prior benefits. Read More

  3. Deliveroo CEO Steps Down Post-DoorDash Takeover 🍔
    Co-founder Will Shu will exit once DoorDash completes its $4B acquisition, ending his 12-year run leading the UK food delivery platform. Read More

  4. Nvidia Pumps $5B into Intel for Chip Alliance 🤝
    The two will co-develop AI and PC chips, combining Nvidia’s accelerated computing stack with Intel’s CPUs. Intel stock jumped after the deal was announced. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. Netskope Eyes $7.3B Valuation in IPO 🚀
    The cybersecurity firm priced shares at $19, raising $908M. It debuts on Nasdaq under “NTSK” amid a red-hot IPO market rebound. Read More

  2. Meta Unveils $799 Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses 👓
    The glasses integrate a digital display and gesture-based wristband powered by neural tech. A promotional video briefly surfaced before Meta pulled it offline. Read More

  3. Microsoft Adds $4B Wisconsin Data Center Expansion 🏗️
    A second site will join the $3.3B first build, hosting Nvidia Blackwell GPUs to power AI. Microsoft continues to scale Azure cloud as demand for AI surges. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Darden Restaurants Misses EPS, Raises Sales Outlook 🍝
    Olive Garden and LongHorn fueled growth, but fine dining dragged results. EPS came in at $1.97 vs. $2 expected, while revenue hit $3.04B. Read More

  2. NRG Energy Lifts 2025 Guidance ⚡
    The utility company raised EPS guidance midpoint to $7.85 and EBITDA midpoint to $3.95B, signaling stronger profitability ahead of Q3 earnings. Read More

  3. Cracker Barrel Earnings Miss, Stock Drops 🥞
    EPS landed at $0.74 vs. $0.80 expected, while revenue slightly beat at $868M. The company pivots back to tradition after backlash against its rebrand. Read More

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