Powell's 'Maybe' Defibulator

Powell’s promise to maybe do something eventually, Uncle Sam is buying Intel bags, and more.

Author

Kevin Travers
August 22, 2025 • Reading Time: 12 minutes

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CLOSING BELL
Powell's 'Maybe' Defibulator

The market closed higher after a whiff of interest rate cuts came out of FOMC head Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole monetary policy speech.

The VIX volatility index hit a year low after Powell admitted to a crowd of reporters that trade and immigration changes have added to rising downside risks to employment, which “may warrant adjusting our policy stance.” Stocks flew, especially after five days of sell-off. AI bubble AI Smubble, rates might come down!

This late into 2025, ‘may’ might as well mean, ‘we’re going to cut rates like a ribbon ceremony’ to a stalling market dying for any hint of change. 👀

Today's issue covers Powell’s promise to maybe do something eventually, Uncle Sam is buying Intel bags, and more. 📰

10 sectors closed green, with discretionary $XLY ( ▲ 3.04% ) leading and staples $XLP ( 0.0% ) unchanged.

MACRO
Powell Said the Fed May Budge, But That’s Of Course Dependent On Labor And Inflation Data💰️ 

Jerome Powell said in his Jackson Hole speech that current U.S. economic conditions may warrant monetary policy changes, nearly a year after embarking on what became a 1% cut to the target Federal Funds rate.

Powell made sure to make clear that the FOMC is looking at the data, and not listening to the increasingly loud calls from the White House to cut rates.

Luckily for the White House, the data has not been great. Powell pointed to job growth numbers from July, which showed 73k additions and 258,000 cuts to the previous two months. Without healthcare job gains, the July number would have come in negative, and if that’s not a slowdown, what is?

Last year, when the FOMC started its cutting campaign, they blamed the 4.2% unemployment rate as a reason. Now that the figure is right back to 4.2%, they might do the same come September, according to Yahoo Finance

Powell made sure to promise not to be slow to react again, or as Trump has said, ‘Too-late Powell.’ In 2021, a one-time increase in the price level turned into the worst inflation in a lifetime. Going in the reverse direction (hopefully) Powell has vowed to keep the economy from falling into a stagflation environment.

TLDR: Powell said the Fed might move in September, but PCE and GDP inflation data next week might turn that promise upside down, if prices are still climbing. Still, after a pullback from all-time highs, enjoy the positive price action on a sunny Friday afternoon. ☀️ 

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ZenaDrone: Green & Blue UAS In Process to sell to US Defense Agencies 

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The company is currently pursuing Green and Blue UAS certification pathways, an important step toward aligning with DoD and federal procurement standards. Under the July 10, 2025, directive, these are now Group 1-2 expendable assets. This enables field commanders to purchase directly for rapid deployment in training and missions, bypassing traditional certification.

ZenaTech drones have undergone paid trials with US Air Force and the Navy, including critical cargo delivery. Partnering with Eagle Point Funding and business development partners for military program relationships and securing grants. ZenaTech streamlines defense procurement and pursues vital R&D grants. ZenaDrone offers autonomous, AI-powered, multi-mission utility for ISR, logistics, and secure inventory management.

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COMPANY NEWS
Uncle Sam Is, In Fact, Buying Your Bags 💾 

Intel $INTC ( ▲ 5.53% ) climbed on the news that President Trump did offer to pick up 10% of the chip-making giant using funds from the 2022 Chips Act, and Intel accepted. Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said Intel Chief Lip-Bu Tan made such a good impression on him that he said, “‘You know what? I think the United States should be given 10% of Intel.’”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has about $8B in grants from the Chips Act, convertible to nearly a 10% stake. The company loses about $1B a month, so it’s not like the grants are saving much time, anyway. 🙄 

The firm confirmed that the stake would come from a combination of $5.7B in previous grants and an extra $3.2B ‘enclave program.’

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POPS & DROPS
Top Stocktwits News Stories 🗞️ 

Dan Ives dismissed AI bubble concerns on CNBC, urging investors to stay focused through tech corrections and naming long-term winners like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon.
Apple is reportedly exploring a partnership with Alphabet’s Gemini AI to power a next-gen version of Siri, signaling increased openness to external AI integrations.
Waymo received a permit to deploy a limited number of robotaxis in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under New York City’s autonomous vehicle safety rules.
Zoom surged 9% after beating Q2 estimates and raising full-year guidance, with analysts citing strong fundamentals, AI momentum, and improved enterprise traction.
Netskope filed to go public on the Nasdaq under the symbol “NTSK,” marking a major step for the Santa Clara-based cybersecurity firm founded in 2012.
Canada announced it will drop 25% retaliatory tariffs on many U.S. goods starting September 1, though levies on automobiles, steel, and aluminum will remain in place.

Don’t miss a story! Follow @StocktwitsNews for a live feed in real time. ✍️ 

Links That Don’t Suck 🌐

*3rd Party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Stocktwits. See disclosure here.

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