The Trading Post | 08.20.25

Good morning,

Intel gets a $2B SoftBank lifeline as Trump eyes a 10% government stake, Asian tech stocks plunge on Nvidia-led selloff, Powell’s Jackson Hole speech looms with rate cut expectations, major retailers Target and Lowe’s report amid consumer headwinds, and New Zealand cuts rates signaling a global easing trend.

Conservative traders and retirement account holders can now access Tripp Sawyer's weekly covered call alerts for just $7 their first month. 

Let’s jump in.

Pre-Market Performance

As of 08.19.25 market close.

Market News

• Intel gets $2B SoftBank lifeline + potential U.S. gov’t stake — Shares up 7% on dual boost; INTC broke above $25 resistance. PBS

• Asian tech stocks plunge — SoftBank -7.1%, TSMC -3.8% as AI bubble fears resurface. CNBC

• Powell’s Jackson Hole speech Friday — Markets now pricing 85% odds of a September cut, down from 99% last week. Reuters 

• Target & Lowe’s earnings test consumers — Home improvement retailers struggle as housing slumps; La-Z-Boy -21% on weak guidance. Benzinga 

• RBNZ cuts rates 25bp — Signals more easing ahead; Kiwi dollar plunges on dovish outlook. Bloomberg 

A Message From Wealth Builders HQ

Generate Consistent Income with Conservative Options Strategies 

If you're looking for a way to generate steady cash flow from your portfolio—especially in retirement accounts—without taking excessive risks, Covered Call Explorer might be exactly what you need. 

Led by coach Tripp Sawyer, this weekly alert service is specifically designed for more conservative traders who want to harness the power of covered calls, naked puts, and diagonal spreads. Each week, you'll receive a ranked list of trade opportunities with clear action plans, taking the guesswork out of income generation. 

What makes Covered Call Explorer particularly appealing is its focus on reduced-risk strategies that work well in retirement accounts. Instead of chasing high-risk, high-reward plays, you're getting methodical approaches to building consistent cash flow through time-tested options strategies. 

The service includes weekly trade alerts, detailed action plans with ranked trade ideas, training materials to boost your execution confidence, and live quarterly Q&A sessions where you can get direct guidance from Tripp. 

New members can get their first month for only $7, making it an incredibly low-risk way to test drive professional-grade income strategies. 

Whether you're new to options or looking to add more conservative plays to your arsenal, Covered Call Explorer offers the structure and guidance to help you generate income with greater confidence and reduced stress. 

Ready to start building consistent cash flow? Check out Covered Call Explorer and take advantage of the $7 first-month offer. 

Earnings We’re Watching

• Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (EL) - Wednesday (BMO) 

• Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW) - Wednesday (BMO) 

• Target Corp. (TGT) - Wednesday (BMO) 

Trade Ideas

Want to learn how we trade these? Learn the setup we call the “High Volatility Switchback” trade.

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Daily Moment of Zen

Why It Matters:

For traders, “margin of safety” isn’t just a phrase — it’s the line between being a disciplined assassin in the markets and a gambler in a shiny jacket. Graham meant it in the fundamental sense (buying below intrinsic value), but in the trading world it’s the stop-loss you actually honor, the hedge you didn’t skip because “it felt expensive,” and the cash you keep when everyone else is over-leveraged.

Without margin of safety, every trade becomes a bungee jump with aX frayed cord. With it, you live to trade another day — which, ironically, is the real secret sauce.