Frank Holland
MAY 12 2025
CNBC
Wedbush’s Dan Ives says the US- China agreement creates a bull market environment once again for tech, while a major investor thinks there’s a trading opportunity in bonds here.
Dan Ives: ‘Dream Scenario’
“If you are a tech investor, this is a dream scenario,” said Dan Ives on CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange,” in response to the temporary reduction of US-China tariffs that will bring the effective rate on most Chinese imports to 30%.
Ives said Nvidia is the biggest winner of the pause in the near- to medium-term.
“They are going to be one especially given the China tariffs…and we’ll see what happens with the H20,” said Ives, referencing Nvidia’s AI chip that is subject to export controls. The company at one point told investors it expects to take $5.5 billion charge due to restrictions.
During the press conference Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also cited a need to reduce the federal deficit and spending. Ives said Palantir would likely be a beneficiary of that effort.
“It’s actually a positive for names like Palantir… it could be bullish for Oracle, it could actually be bullish for Microsoft.. as that plays out, more and more goes to software,” said the analyst.
Rethinking the Defensive Trade
Jeff Kilburg of KKM financial says it is time to unwind some of the defensive trades that have gained momentum.
“Utilities, which have been a safe haven… I think it’s time to trim that back,” said Kilburg. “I think it’s time to put more beta in your portfolio. Look at the VIX going under 20 today, that a really big deal. The VIX was over 60 just in April.” Utilities are the best performing sector year to date rising more than 5%.”
How to play bonds after US-China trade deal
Gilbert Garcia of Garcia Hamilton and Associates says he’s seeing big opportunity in bonds after the trade deal because it has reduced the odds of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in July.
According to Fed Fund Futures tracked by CNBC, the chances of a Fed cut in July have moved from 69% to 42% after the agreement.
“This is a great opportunity to take advantage of this emotional move. The market is taking out cuts from the Fed, I would look to add duration everywhere,” said Garcia.
Garcia is also seeing a potential for inflation to move lower and lead the Fed to cut sooner than expected as a result of the President’s expected executive order on prescription drugs that would cut the price the U.S. government pays by 30% to 80%.