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published in Blogs
Mar 21, 2025

Week (March 17 - 21) in Review: Financial Leaders

Interesting Facts and Market Dynamics

The week of March 17 to 21, 2025, was marked by significant financial developments. Notably, gold futures surpassed the $3,000 per ounce mark for the first time, reflecting investors' search for safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainties. Additionally, the S&P 500 entered correction territory, having declined over 10% from its recent highs, signaling heightened market volatility. These movements underscore the intricate dynamics of global markets during this period.​

Global Overview

Global markets exhibited mixed performance during the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9% on March 17, closing at 41,841.63, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gained 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively. However, concerns over U.S. trade policies led to significant outflows from global equity funds, totaling $29.7 billion. Gold prices reached new highs, surpassing $3,000 per ounce, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainties. 

 

Sector Overview

The technology sector experienced gains, with the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) rising by 3.33%. The financial sector also saw positive movement, as evidenced by the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) increasing by 2.75%. Conversely, the industrial sector faced challenges, with the KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF (KARS) declining by 2.40%.​

 

International Overview

International markets showed varied performance. The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) surged by 5.27%, indicating strong investor confidence in the Indian market. Latin American markets also performed well, with the First Trust Brazil AlphaDEX ETF (FBZ) and the VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF (BRF) rising by 3.98% and 2.78%, respectively. In contrast, the iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (EWW) declined by 1.60%, reflecting regional economic challenges.​

 

Tickern and Financial Learning Models (FLMs)
Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D., CEO of Tickeron, emphasizes the importance of technical analysis in managing market volatility. Through Financial Learning Models (FLMs), Tickeron integrates AI with technical analysis, allowing traders to spot patterns more accurately and make better-informed decisions. Beginner-friendly robots and high-liquidity stock robots offered by Tickeron provide traders with real-time insights, enhancing control and transparency in fast-moving markets.

Summary

The week of March 17 to 21, 2025, highlighted the complexities of global financial markets. While certain sectors and regions experienced growth, others faced declines, emphasizing the importance for investors to remain informed and adaptable to evolving market conditions.

Disclaimers and Limitations

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Citigroup (C) is set to report Q4 2025 earnings on January 14, 2026, making it the immediate catalyst in this comparison. HSBC Holdings (HSBC) will release its Full-Year 2025 results on February 25, 2026, positioning it as a medium-term earnings event.
Wells Fargo’s quarterly results carry broader significance because the bank serves as a key indicator of U.S. consumer and commercial banking conditions. Its earnings often influence sentiment toward the entire large-cap banking sector. After a stretch of improved market conditions and stronger capital markets activity, investors are looking for confirmation that profit momentum is sustainable rather than driven by a single favorable quarter.
M&T Bank (MTB) is expected to deliver Q4 2025 EPS of $4.44–$4.46, representing roughly 13% year-over-year growth, driven by improving net interest income as funding costs decline. PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) is projected to post Q4 EPS of $4.19–$4.23, supported by about 1.5% sequential NII growth from rate relief and steady loan demand. U.S. Bancorp (USB) is forecast to earn $1.19 per share, an 11.2% annual increase, with revenues estimated at $7.33 billion, up 5%.
Dash (DASH.X) has ignited the crypto market with a powerful mid-January 2026 breakout, rallying more than 125% in a single week and decisively outperforming fellow privacy coins such as Monero and Zcash. The surge was fueled by a sharp short squeeze that wiped out nearly $4.9 million in bearish positions, alongside a major catalyst: Dash’s integration with Alchemy Pay, enabling direct fiat purchases across 173 countries.
The Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) is holding firm near the $28 level as 2026 begins, even as broader markets remain volatile. While short-term price action has been uneven, underlying signals suggest the ETF may be setting up for a meaningful breakout as interest-rate cuts revive small-cap equities. Technical models highlight an unusually favorable risk-reward profile—up to 22:1—with long-term momentum strengthening despite near-term consolidation.
Prologis (PLD), the world’s largest logistics-focused REIT, reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings on January 21, 2026, capping a standout year for the industrial real estate sector. Demand for modern logistics facilities remains elevated as e-commerce expansion and supply chain reconfiguration continue to reshape global distribution networks.
The Travelers Companies, Inc.(TRV), a major player in the property and casualty insurance market, reported fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 21, 2026, closing out a year marked by underwriting discipline despite volatile weather activity and pricing pressures. The results underscore Travelers’ ability to generate strong profitability while navigating challenges in personal insurance lines and heightened catastrophe risk.
FingerMotion, Inc. (NASDAQ: FNGR) reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 results on January 15, 2026, triggering a sharp selloff as investors reacted to a steep revenue decline and widening losses. Shares fell roughly 32% following the release after the mobile services provider disclosed a 32% year-over-year drop in revenue and a net loss of $1.67 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2025.
CSX Corporation, a major U.S. East Coast rail operator, reports fourth-quarter 2025 earnings after market close today, marking the end of a year characterized by uneven freight recovery. Comparing CSX with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP), now a transcontinental operator following its 2023 merger, highlights contrasting strategies within the North American rail sector.
Procter & Gamble (PG) reports fiscal Q2 2026 earnings on January 22, with consensus expecting modest revenue growth amid commodity and tariff pressures. EPS is forecast at ~$1.87, slightly below last year’s $1.88. Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is set to release Q4 2025 earnings on January 30, while Unilever (UL) reports full-year 2025 results on February 12.
CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) reports Q4 2025 earnings after market close on January 22, 2026, with consensus EPS ~$0.42 and revenue ~$3.57 billion. Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) follows on January 27, with EPS expected near $2.89 and revenue around $6.15 billion. Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) closes the week on January 29, with consensus EPS ~$2.77.
The SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has surged to a new 52-week high above $281 this week, climbing 21% month-to-date and 20% year-to-date through January 2026. The rally, driven by robust sector momentum and a clean technical breakout, is outpacing broader indices like the S&P 500. XAR’s equal-weighted structure amplifies gains from top aerospace and defense holdings in missiles, aircraft, and space systems, attracting significant trader and institutional attention amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) continues to attract trader attention, building on a remarkable 47.7% gain in 2025 amid rising defense budgets and heightened global security concerns. The ETF is approaching all-time highs, with top holdings such as GE Aerospace and RTX Corporation driving the rally. Traders are adding positions on dips while monitoring confirmation above key resistance levels near recent peaks, anticipating a potential technical breakout.
ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL), the leveraged ETF designed to deliver 2× the daily performance of gold futures, has climbed sharply this week as gold prices continue near historic levels. The ETF’s move reflects renewed inflows into gold-related products and heightened investor interest in safe-haven assets amid ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. UGL’s price action closely mirrors the strong trend in gold futures, attracting short-term momentum trading even as the leveraged structure carries heightened risk.
Hubbell Incorporated (HUBB) reached an all-time high of $485.91 this week, reflecting strong buying interest in the industrial sector. The breakout comes amid mixed institutional activity—some funds trimming positions while others add new stakes—highlighting investor focus on HUBB’s multi-year rally.
Chevron’s upcoming Q4 report highlights its first full quarters integrating Hess, following record Q3 production of 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMboe/d). Comparing CVX with ExxonMobil and Shell provides insight into how each supermajor is navigating a volatile oil market with prices hovering below $60 per barrel.
SoFi Technologies is set to report Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on January 30, 2026, closing out a pivotal year for the digital finance platform. With its fiscal year ending December 31, the report follows a strong Q3 that featured record net revenue of $962 million and member growth to 12.6 million, a 35% year-over-year increase.
ASML reported Q4 2025 net sales of $9.7 billion, gross margin of 52.2%, net income of $2.8 billion, and record net bookings of $13.2 billion, including $7.4 billion in EUV orders.
IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) reports Q4 2025 earnings on February 2, 2026, with analysts expecting continued strength in recurring revenue from companion animal diagnostics. Danaher (DHR) reports on January 28, while Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) follows in early February, with both facing low-single-digit core growth expectations across life sciences and diagnostics.
NIO Inc. (NIO) produced its one-millionth vehicle this week at its Hefei facility, closing out a record 2025 delivery total of 326,028 units, up 46.9% year over year. The milestone, announced January 6, reflects accelerating demand for core models such as the ES8 SUV and newer brands ONVO and Firefly.
Week (March 17 - 21) in Review: Financial Leaders