The Magazine

Market History

Explore key financial events and market shifts that shaped investing. Learn from past trends to navigate the future.

April 19, 1933: A Day in Stock Market History
On April 19, 1933, in the midst of the worst economic crisis in American history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took a bold and controversial step that would forever alter the course of U.S. monetary policy. By formally abandoning the gold standard for domestic transactions, Roosevelt freed the dollar from its rigid ties to gold, giving the federal government the flexibility to combat deflation and stimulate a collapsing economy. This decisive action marked the beginning of a new era - one in which monetary tools could be used more dynamically to stabilize markets, foster growth, and respond to crisis.
Market History Apr 19, 2025
April 5, 2013: A Day in Stock Market History
On April 5, 2013, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) made a historic monetary policy shift that would not only reshape Japan’s economic landscape but also send ripples across global financial markets. Under newly appointed Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, the central bank announced an aggressive and unprecedented quantitative easing (QE) program aimed at breaking the country’s long-standing deflationary cycle and revitalizing growth.
Market History Apr 5, 2025
March 29, 2017: A Day in Stock Market History
On March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom formally began the process of exiting the European Union by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which outlines the legal framework for a member state’s withdrawal. This marked the official start of a two-year negotiation period to determine the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU, covering trade relations, immigration policies, financial obligations, and regulatory alignment. The decision to leave the EU was a direct consequence of the June 23, 2016, referendum, in which 51.9% of British voters chose to leave the bloc, while 48.1% voted to remain. The vote was deeply divisive, with strong regional contrasts—England and Wales largely supporting Brexit, while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU. The result led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister David Cameron, who had campaigned for remaining in the EU, and brought Theresa May to power, tasked with overseeing the UK's withdrawal process.
Market History Mar 29, 2025
March 22, 1985: A Day in Stock Market History
On March 22, 1985, Microsoft made a decisive move that would shape its future by filing for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While the actual public offering took place on March 13, 1986, this filing was the first major step in transitioning from a privately held software company to a publicly traded entity. At the time, Microsoft was already a dominant force in the personal computer software market, but going public would provide the necessary capital to scale operations, invest in new technologies, and solidify its competitive edge.
Market History Mar 22, 2025
March 16, 1976: A Day in Stock Market History
16.03.1976 was a day of international ratification of so called Jamaica Agreement. The Jamaica Agreement, signed in 1976, marked a fundamental shift in the global monetary system. It formalized the transition from the Bretton Woods system, which had been in place since the end of World War II, to a more flexible structure based on floating exchange rates. This landmark agreement, reached at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, effectively ended the gold standard, which had previously dictated how currencies were valued and exchanged worldwide. The Jamaica Agreement set the stage for a more market-driven approach to currency valuation and played a pivotal role in shaping modern financial markets.
Market History Mar 16, 2025
March 08, 2018: A Day in Stock Market History
On March 8, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This decision marked the beginning of a major trade conflict between the U.S. and China, two of the world’s largest economies. The tariffs were set at 25% for steel and 10% for aluminum, and the administration justified this move on national security grounds, arguing that foreign imports were undermining American manufacturing and industries. This announcement came after months of trade tensions and negotiations between the two countries, making it one of the most significant escalations in modern trade history.
Market History Mar 8, 2025
March 02, 2020: A Day in Stock Market History
On March 2, 2020, global financial markets experienced significant volatility as investors reacted to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Just a week earlier, stock markets had suffered a historic plunge, with major indices recording some of their worst losses since the 2008 financial crisis. The uncertainty surrounding the virus's impact on the global economy, combined with fears of an impending recession, created a highly unstable trading environment.
Market History Mar 2, 2025
February 23, 1945: A Day in Stock Market History
On February 23, 1945, several countries began ratifying the Bretton Woods Agreement, which led to the establishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These institutions played a key role in post-World War II economic recovery and global financial stability. The Bretton Woods system was a global monetary order established in 1944 during a conference held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. This system was designed to create a stable international financial framework in the aftermath of World War II. Delegates from 44 Allied nations gathered to discuss and implement a new economic system that would prevent the economic instability and currency crises that had contributed to the Great Depression and global conflicts. The primary goal was to establish a system of fixed exchange rates, with currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar, which in turn was backed by gold at a fixed price of $35 per ounce.
Market History Feb 23, 2025
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Corporate Highlights
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Microsoft: What to Expect From 1Q25
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is scheduled to report its earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2025 on Wednesday, April 24, shortly after the U.S. market closes. As a key component of the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, Microsoft’s financial results are not only a reflection of its own performance but also a major signal for the entire technology sector and broader equity markets. The company, with a market capitalization well over $3 trillion, is widely considered a bellwether for trends in cloud computing, enterprise software, and artificial intelligence. Investors, analysts, and institutional funds will be closely watching Microsoft’s numbers and forward guidance, as the company plays a central role in the ongoing AI transformation across global industries.
Apr 20, 2025
UnitedHealth Q1 2025: Margin Pressure Amid Rising Medical Costs and Slower Optum Growth
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) released its Q1 2025 results, falling short of Wall Street expectations on both earnings and revenue. Adjusted EPS stood at $6.90, missing the consensus forecast of $7.30. Total revenue reached $109.6 billion, below analysts’ estimates of approximately $111.6 billion. The underperformance was largely attributed to higher-than-anticipated medical costs, especially in the Medicare Advantage business, which compressed margins.
Apr 17, 2025
Reading the Signals: ASML’s Q1 and the Bull Case for Semiconductors
ASML's Q1 2025 earnings report sent ripples through the semiconductor industry, with implications extending far beyond its own performance. As the sole supplier of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography systems — critical tools in the production of cutting-edge chips — ASML is often viewed as a barometer for the broader chipmaking ecosystem. Today’s results provided valuable insights into end-market demand, production capacity, and technology transition trends that directly affect companies like NVIDIA and the entire semiconductor value chain.
Apr 16, 2025
Executives
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Architect of Intelligence: Inside the Mind of Palantir’s CEO
Alex Karp is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Palantir Technologies, a publicly traded big data analytics company known for its work with government and commercial clients. Since its inception in 2003, Karp has led Palantir through rapid growth, turning it into one of the most influential software companies in the world, especially in national security, defense, and enterprise data solutions.
Apr 17, 2025
Lisa Su: The Visionary Leader Who Revived AMD and Redefined the Semiconductor Industry
In the ever-evolving world of technology, few leaders have left as profound a mark as Dr. Lisa Su. Known for her sharp intellect, relentless drive, and transformative leadership, Su has risen from a curious child fascinated by electronics to the CEO of AMD—a company she led from the brink of collapse to the forefront of innovation. Her story is one of technical brilliance, strategic mastery, and a deep commitment to redefining what's possible in the semiconductor industry. This biography explores the journey of a woman who not only broke barriers but also built a legacy that continues to shape the future of computing.
Apr 10, 2025
Satya Nadella: Leading Microsoft into the Future
Satya Nadella is one of the most influential leaders in the technology industry, best known for his role in transforming Microsoft into a global powerhouse in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and enterprise software. Since becoming CEO in 2014, he has reshaped the company’s strategy, shifting its focus from traditional software to cutting-edge cloud and AI solutions. Under his leadership, Microsoft has achieved record financial growth, expanded its product ecosystem, and embraced a more innovative and inclusive corporate culture. Nadella’s vision and leadership have not only revitalized Microsoft but have also set new standards for the future of technology.
Apr 4, 2025
On Everyone's Lips
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The Price of Protectionism: Global Markets Under Pressure
In 2025, Donald Trump’s reimposed global tariffs — including a 10% baseline on all imports and higher, targeted duties for select countries such as China (145%) — are expected to reshape the global economic landscape. These tariffs signal a sharp return to protectionist policy, disrupting global trade flows, intensifying geopolitical tensions, and increasing the cost of goods across multiple sectors. The broad application of tariffs affects not only America’s trading partners but also the global supply chains that underpin modern economies.
Apr 12, 2025
Paint Me a Beautiful Picture: Tariffs Storm
The recent implementation of new tariffs by the Trump administration has significantly impacted U.S. stock markets, leading to increased volatility and investor concerns. Major indices, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite, have experienced sharp declines in response to these trade measures. For example, S&P 500 futures dropped 0.91%, Nasdaq 100 fell 1.27%, and the Dow Jones declined 0.6% following the tariff announcement. These tariffs, targeting a wide range of goods from multiple countries, have raised fears of a potential trade war and its repercussions on the global economy. Investors are increasingly concerned about slower economic growth and rising inflation, leading to stock sell-offs and a surge in the VIX volatility index to a two-week high.
Mar 31, 2025
FED's Rate Decision and Impact on Assets
The Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision has sent ripples across global financial markets. As widely anticipated, the Fed chose to keep rates steady at the 4.25–4.50% range, emphasizing its data-dependent approach in assessing inflation trends and economic conditions. Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments reinforced the central bank’s commitment to maintaining restrictive monetary policy until inflation is convincingly on track toward the 2% target. Investors closely analyzed Powell’s tone for any indications regarding potential rate cuts or hikes in the coming months.
Mar 23, 2025
Company Researches
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Costco Wholesale Corp Research
Oct 2, 2025
UnitedHealth Group Inc Research
Sep 27, 2025
Broadcom Inc Research
Jul 6, 2025
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