The U.S. Just Slowed Down. Big Tech Didn’t Get the Memo Crushing Earnings

Money Masters' Market Pulse Week 18

May 02, 2025

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Dear Money Master,

The U.S. economy shrank for the first time in over two years, dragged down by a massive surge in imports ahead of Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Meanwhile, Europe surprised to the upside, with the eurozone posting double the expected growth, powered by Ireland’s remarkable 3.2% Q1 expansion.

In tech, regulators hit hard: TikTok was fined a record €530 million by Ireland for mishandling EU user data. Meanwhile, Big Tech wasn’t just on the defensive, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Amazon all beat earnings expectations, showing resilience even as they brace for tariff turbulence.

The fintech battlefield is also heating up. Venmo gained major ground in Q1, just as Cash App stumbled. And in today’s Deep Dive, we explore Microsoft Inc. earnings report. 🌍💼

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - May 2nd, 2025

🌍 Economics:

  1. U.S. Economy Contracts 0.3% as Imports Soar Pre-Tariffs 📉
    Unexpectedly, Q1 GDP slipped into negative territory. This marks the first contraction since early 2022. Read More

  2. Euro Zone Outpaces Forecasts With 0.4% Q1 Growth 🌍
    Stronger-than-expected growth came from southern economies and a stunning 3.2% surge in Ireland. Meanwhile, Germany and France barely edged forward. Read More

  3. U.S. Job Growth Slows Sharply Amid Tariff Uncertainty 🧾
    ADP says private payrolls rose just 62,000 in April, half the previous month’s total signaling that employers are hesitating in response to economic headwinds. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. Venmo Outpaces Cash App as PayPal Keeps Forecasts Steady 💸
    Venmo revenue surged 20% YoY, outpacing user growth and signaling successful monetization through features like debit cards and instant transfers. Read More

  2. Ireland Fines TikTok €530M Over User Data Transfers to China 🛑
    The DPC ruled TikTok failed to ensure GDPR-level protection for EU data accessed in China and gave inaccurate disclosures about data storage. Read More

  3. Xpeng Delivers 35,000+ EVs in April, Sixth Straight Month 🚗
    Xpeng’s 273% YoY delivery surge highlights booming EV demand in China. BYD led the month with over 372,000 units sold. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. Block Misses Expectations, Cash App Disappoints 📉
    Block fell 15% after missing revenue forecasts and issuing weak guidance. Gross profit was up 9%, but tariff fears and slow Cash App activity weighed heavily. Read More

  2. Airbnb Meets Q1 Estimates but Warns on Q2 📉
    Q1 revenue rose 6%, but soft U.S. demand and economic uncertainty led Airbnb to issue lower-than-expected Q2 guidance. Read More

  3. Meta Smashes Q1 Forecasts, Plans $72B AI Spend 🤖
    Meta’s revenue jumped 16% to $42.31B and earnings hit $6.43 per share. Its AI glasses and Meta AI now serve 1B+ monthly users. Read More

  4. Amazon Beats Estimates, Warns on Tariff Fallout 📦
    Revenue hit $155.7B, but Q2 guidance was cautious. Jassy flagged consumer uncertainty and “stocking up” ahead of tariff hikes. Read More

  5. Apple Tops Q2 Earnings, Announces $100B Buyback 🍎
    Despite a 5% revenue boost to $95.4B, Apple warned of a $900M tariff hit this quarter. Most U.S. iPhones will now be made in India. Read More

🔍 The Article of the Day: Breaking Down Microsoft Inc. Earnings Report

Microsoft just delivered a blowout quarter and it’s not slowing down. With Intelligent Cloud revenue up 21% and an $80 billion infrastructure investment planned, the tech giant is doubling down on its AI dominance.

Key Points:

  • Q3 revenue hit $70.07B, with $25.82B in net income, both beating expectations.

  • Azure-led Intelligent Cloud posted 21% growth, outpacing forecasts.

  • CEO Satya Nadella emphasized Microsoft’s full-stack innovation in cloud and AI from infrastructure to applications.

📲 Read the full article now on the Money Masters App!

Apple's New Smart Display Confirms What This Startup Knew All Along

Apple has entered the smart home race with its new Smart Display, firing a $158B signal that connected homes are the future.

When Apple moves in, it doesn’t just join the market — it transforms it.

One company has been quietly preparing for this moment.

Their smart shade technology already works across every major platform, perfectly positioned to capture the wave of new consumers Apple will bring.

While others scramble to catch up, this startup is already shifting production from China to its new facility in the Philippines — built for speed and ready to meet surging demand as Apple’s marketing machine drives mass adoption.

With 200% year-over-year growth and distribution in over 120 Best Buy locations, this company isn’t just ready for Apple’s push — they’re set to thrive from it.

Shares in this tech company are open at just $1.90.

Apple’s move is accelerating the entire sector. Don’t miss this window.

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To your financial empowerment, The Money Masters Team

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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of actions taken based on the information provided. Always conduct your own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.