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This Week’s Spotlight: Behind the Market 'Crash', JFK Files Released, Europe Steps Up Defence
The Neil McCoy-Ward Newsletter


Opening Note…
It’s been a week of major developments: trade war escalations, rising geopolitical tensions, and bombshell discoveries that challenge a major historical narrative. These events aren’t just dominating headlines—they’re moving markets.
The stock market has seen sharp swings, driven by tariffs, media reporting, earnings, and policy uncertainty. In a nutshell, volatility is being fueled by unpredictable political decisions—not just economic fundamentals.
Stock Market drops like this aren’t anything new; they’re part of a cycle. And those who can tune out the noise, analyze correctly, and act strategically are the ones who come out ahead (& make money).
If you want to better understand how markets really work—and how to invest confidently in times like these—I'm offering 90% off my Ultimate Stock Market Investing Program (this weekend only) this will END on Sunday!
This course gives you a full breakdown of how to analyze like the professionals, find undervalued stocks, & how to invest confidently and safely - even in volatile conditions like these. It’s everything I wish I had when I started: real strategies, no fluff, and built for the world we’re in now…

Now, let’s break down the latest news from around the World!
Table of Contents
1. Weekly Spotlight
Europe Steps Up—NATO Reshaped as the U.S. Pulls Back
With Washington’s global military role retracting, Europe is moving in to fill the gap. The UK, France, Germany, and Nordic countries are now preparing to take on more defense responsibilities within NATO—marking one of the most significant changes in the alliance's balance of power since its founding. I believe this will lead to a major shift in European economies.
Behind the scenes, European leaders are developing contingency plans that reduce dependency on U.S. leadership.
There are increasing talks of shared nuclear defense capabilities, expanded intelligence collaboration, and coordinated investment in military infrastructure.
Bottom Line: NATO is changing. Europe no longer sees the U.S. as a guaranteed backstop, and it’s already shaping foreign policy, defense spending, and even market risk in the region. Expect increased attention on European defense stocks, energy independence plays, and cross-border tech investment as this new alignment takes shape.
Oh and did I mention that I got a letter from the British Army? They wanted me to give them a full update on my location, contact details and health... This is the first time I’ve ever received one of these letters since leaving the Army as a Sergeant 14 years ago.
2. Quick Takes
Here are the top stories shaping the week:
JFK Files Finally Released
The U.S. government has declassified over 63,000 documents tied to the JFK assassination. The files are now live on the National Archives site.
Europe Eyes Expanded Nuclear Deterrent
With U.S. commitments in question, Europe is actively considering a stronger joint nuclear strategy. Early talks suggest UK-French-German collaboration.
Spring Equinox Brings Record Cold
Despite marking the start of spring, the equinox arrived with unusually low temperatures across several regions—including 21.9°C in Singapore. I mention this because the ‘forecasters’ said this year would bring record ‘global warming’ temperatures to these exact same regions - (try not to laugh too hard at this one)
India Looks to Capitalize on U.S.–China Tensions
Amid heightened tariffs and trade friction between the U.S. and China, India is positioning itself as a manufacturing alternative. The challenge: benefiting without being drawn into broader risk. A careful balance, can India pull it off while keeping China onside?
Europe Plans Peacekeeping Force—Without the U.S.
European nations are preparing to send up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine to enforce a future peace deal—without U.S. military involvement. The move marks a major step toward European defense autonomy. Kier Starmer (the weak man, who acts like a strong man), is still spending every waking moment dreaming of and pushing ‘troops on the ground’ in Ukraine.
China Reacts to U.S.-Led Panama Port Deal
China is pushing back after Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison sold its Panama port stakes to a BlackRock-led consortium—widely seen as a successful part of a U.S. effort to limit Chinese influence.
Africa Pushes to Ditch the Dollar
The African Continental Free Trade Area is accelerating plans to reduce U.S. dollar dependency by using local currencies for cross-border trade.
EU Launches €150B Defense Loan Program
The European Union has approved a massive €150 billion defense financing plan to bolster its military capabilities by 2030. Only EU-aligned nations will qualify for contracts—excluding the U.S., UK, and Turkey unless they forge formal security pacts.
Neil’s Takeaways:
Global Defense Realignment Is Accelerating – China’s drills in the Tasman Sea and the India–Japan military pact highlight a shift: countries aren’t waiting for U.S. guarantees anymore—they’re building regional strength. This signals a sustained demand cycle for high-tech defense systems, making mid-cap contractors and niche defense tech firms worth a closer look.
Trade Fractures Are Turning Into Fault Lines – We’re heading for a deeper split between the U.S. and EU. Tariff threats may be headline noise today, but the structural impact could be long-term. Expect more pressure on companies heavily exposed to transatlantic trade.
Energy as a backstop: I previously suggested that energy would perform well during these volatile times, this has now exceeded my expectations in the last month. Utilities have also swept up nice gains on the back of the new energy policies.
Infrastructure Is An Underrated Play – Quiet opportunities are building at infrastructure firms tied to ports, logistics, and energy transport. The Panama port shift shows how critical infrastructure is becoming a tool of strategy—not just commerce.
3. Important Video of The Week
“The Stock Market Is DONE!” (The Planned Crash & How To Profit From It…
Watch the Video—But Don’t Stop There: The video gives you the what and why behind the market chaos—but if you want to know exactly how to invest through it, that’s where the Ultimate Stock Market Investing Program comes in. I created this course to give you the tools, mindset, and strategies I personally use to navigate uncertainty and come out stronger.
Right now, it’s 90% off through Sunday night as part of my Spring Sale—because I want to help as many people as possible make money.
4. Chart of the Week
📈 Economy Ranked: The World’s Fastest Growing Economies in 2025
According to the latest IMF projections, the world's fastest-growing economies in 2025 are predominantly in Africa and Asia. South Sudan leads with an anticipated real GDP growth of 27.2%, followed by Guyana at 14.4%, and Libya at 13.7%. Other notable countries include Senegal (9.3%), Palau (8.5%), and Sudan (8.3%). This trend underscores the significant economic expansion expected in these regions.
However, I’ve talked about these Countries before within the Patreon monthly investing video. Just because the gains are incredible, it doesn’t mean you can easily capitalise on them. The risk is fierce and the corruption is high. This is why I always recommend Western markets over ‘developing’ as the bulk of your strategy.

5. Faith & Success
The Power of Humble Reflection
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” – Psalm 139:23
Growth begins with humility. No one has all the answers, and pretending otherwise stifles progress. Scripture invites us to pause, reflect, and ask for clarity—not just from ourselves, but from a higher perspective. Too often, we rush into decisions fueled by pride or fear, only to find ourselves tangled in avoidable messes. True wisdom comes when we slow down and seek insight beyond our own limitations.
Actionable Insight: Where might you be moving too fast or clinging to certainty? This week, carve out 15 minutes to sit quietly and reflect. Ask yourself: What am I missing? Where do I need help? Write down one decision or challenge you’re facing, and consider who—or what—could shed light on it. A humble pause today could save you from a hasty stumble tomorrow.
6. Market Overview
S&P 500 Seesaws Amid Trade Turmoil
This week, the S&P 500 experienced heavy swings driven by mixed economic signals:
Monday (March 17): The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, buoyed by investor optimism despite ongoing trade tensions.
Wednesday (March 19): The index gained 1.1%, marking its best "Fed day" rally since July, following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's measured comments on the economic outlook and inflation.
Thursday (March 20): The S&P 500 edged down 0.2% as investors processed ongoing policy shifts under President Trump and solid but cautious economic signals.

However, the S&P on the month is still down heavily by over 7% with some stocks very close to ‘crash’ territory.
Cryptocurrency:
Bitcoin (BTC): Currently trading near $84,000, reflecting a 1.69% increase over the past 24 hours. This uptick follows Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's announcement that interest rates will remain unchanged, bolstering investor confidence.
Ethereum (ETH): Trading at $1,978.82, down 2.43% from the previous close. Despite recent gains, Ethereum faces challenges in surpassing the $2,500 resistance level, indicating potential short-term volatility.
Solana (SOL): Currently at $127.89, experiencing a 4.55% decrease from the previous close. The market has seen profit-taking activities following initial gains from recent positive news.
Binance Coin (BNB): Trading at $629.27, showing resilience with a slight increase of 0.38%. Binance's ongoing global expansion and regulatory compliance efforts continue to support BNB's stability.
XRP: Currently at $2.42, reflecting a 2.81% decrease from the previous close. Despite recent legal victories, XRP's price has experienced minor fluctuations.
Overall, the cryptocurrency market remains dynamic, with prices influenced by a combination of regulatory developments, institutional investments, and macroeconomic factors. Investors are advised to stay informed and exercise caution amidst ongoing market volatility.

Neil’s Summary: Both crypto and equities are reacting to policy shocks, not fundamentals. The S&P’s whiplash shows how sentiment has a large impact. My view? Don’t follow the hype cycle—focus on buying undervalued assets and sectors that are quietly building strength beneath the noise.
Everyone’s searching for the next big move—but few are asking the right questions. Stay grounded, research deeply, and position ahead—not behind—the headlines.
This is how I’ve been able to amass a large net-worth despite starting with nothing, no qualifications from school, no inheritance fund… just research & hard work. And my programs can teach you the same…
7. Join the Conversation 💬
The real impact of what we’re building here doesn’t end when the video stops or the newsletter lands in your inbox—it starts there. The real power is in the conversations that follow. Every comment, every message, every insight you share on my social media platforms helps. If you’ve got data, a different take, or something others are missing—don’t hold back. Post it. Share it. Tag me. We need more people questioning, thinking, and challenging the narrative. That’s how truth spreads. Keep speaking up—and I’ll keep pushing for the truth.
How You Voted: Will the Russia / Ukraine War End Soon? Despite a narrow division in the vote, your opinion is that an agreement will ultimately be reached—and to some extent, it already has in the last week…

8. Discounted Program Of the Month - The Ultimate Stock Market Investing Program

With everything going on—market volatility, trade tension, crypto swings—it’s more important than ever to have a clear investment strategy. That’s exactly why I’m running my Spring Sale on the Ultimate Stock Market Investing Program. It’s 90% off right now, not just as a promotion, but because I want to make this knowledge accessible to as many people as possible.
I built this program to give you the exact tools I use to navigate chaos, avoid costly mistakes, and build lasting wealth—step by step. This programs shows you my formula for how I’ve been able to profit every year, even when others have been losing during economic turbulence. Let’s get you positioned for success too…
Stay Informed, Stay Empowered! Stay Blessed!
See you next time,
Your Friend,
Neil McCoy-Ward