Nvidia & bitcoin fall in November, retail trends driving Black Friday shopping

Market Overview - The S&P 500 is on track for its first monthly loss since April, attributed to fears surrounding the AI bubble and a significant pullback in cryptocurrency markets [1] - Nvidia's stock has decreased by 13% this month despite a strong earnings report, while Palantir has lost 17% and Bitcoin has dropped 19% [2] Consumer Spending Trends - Online spending on Thanksgiving Day increased by 5.8% in the US, with Adobe reporting a 5.3% gain in online sales [2] - There is a noted affordability crisis affecting household spending, leading to cautious consumer behavior during the holiday shopping season [2][25] AI Sector Insights - Nvidia remains a leader in the AI chip market, but Google is gaining ground, with Alphabet's stock up over 20% month-to-date [12][31] - The AI trade has shown signs of recovery after initial volatility following Nvidia's earnings report, indicating potential stabilization in the sector [10][11] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - Market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve's decisions, particularly regarding potential interest rate cuts, which could significantly impact small-cap stocks [5][7] - There is speculation that the Fed may not cut rates until 2026, which could create market nervousness if expectations are not met [8] Retail Sector Dynamics - Retailers are experiencing a shift in consumer spending, with lower-income households focusing on essentials rather than discretionary items [27][28] - The holiday shopping season is characterized by a K-shaped economic recovery, where higher-income consumers are spending more, while lower-income consumers are constrained by affordability issues [25][26] Company of the Year Award - The contenders for Yahoo Finance's 11th annual Company of the Year award include OpenAI, Oracle, and Nvidia, highlighting the significance of AI in current market dynamics [33][34] - Nvidia is recognized for its central role in AI chip development and market leadership, while Oracle has gained attention for its substantial backlog [36][37]