Wall Street spent St. Patrick’s Day edging back into the green, as investors raised a cautious toast to the Federal Reserve and NVIDIA’s AI ambitions rather than to rapid-fire rate cuts.

Indices and macro mood

US stocks advanced for a second straight session, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all higher as Fed week kicked off and investors tried, once again, to buy the dip without calling it that. The move comes after three consecutive weekly declines, suggesting bargain hunters finally decided the pot of gold at the end of this pullback was worth at least a small allocation.

Oil prices popped back above 100 dollars a barrel on renewed Middle East tensions, a reminder that inflation may still have more lives than a Wall Street earnings “adjustment.” Futures and rates markets still largely expect the Fed to hold policy steady at the March meeting, with the real drama reserved for the dot plot and Powell’s tone rather than any change in the target rate.seekingalpha+3

Fed on deck

The Fed’s two-day meeting began today, and the consensus script calls for no move on rates after a trio of cuts to close out last year, even as growth and inflation data keep policymakers uncomfortably alert. Traders are parsing every hint about the timing and pace of any future cuts, well aware that officials have been pushing back on the notion of a swift easing cycle worthy of a St. Paddy’s pub crawl.

In the meantime, steady policy plus firm equity prices has kept “risk-on” alive, if not exactly roaring, with investors favoring large-cap tech and other quality growth names while keeping one eye on the bond market’s leprechaun—real yields.

NVIDIA, GTC, and the AI rainbow

In tech, NVIDIA remained the market’s de facto spiritual leader as its GTC 2026 conference rolled on, drawing another wave of superlatives from Wall Street analysts who long ago stopped pretending to be surprised. CEO Jensen Huang used the San Jose stage to sketch an AI future in which NVIDIA doesn’t just sell picks and shovels for the gold rush, but quietly owns most of the mine, the railroad, and possibly the town council.

Huang and his team outlined demand for Blackwell and related AI platforms that could drive roughly 1 trillion dollars in AI chip and systems sales through 2027, effectively doubling prior long-term order targets and reinforcing the argument that AI capex is not peaking so much as catching a second wind. The stock’s reaction was positive but restrained—more a nod of approval than a euphoric jig—as valuation worries and competition linger, even while major firms reiterate overweight ratings and describe NVIDIA as still “alone at the top of the AI mountain.”

Sector color and corporate undercurrents

Mega-cap tech helped lead the broader market higher, with AI-linked names again providing tailwinds to the Nasdaq as investors leaned back into the “big, profitable, and data-center heavy” trade. Elsewhere, higher crude prices gave energy a modest lift, even as they complicated the inflation narrative that equity bulls would prefer to keep on mute.

Some consumer and communication names saw renewed interest as dip buyers tiptoed in after recent weakness, though the tone remained selective rather than speculative manic—more risk rotation than risk binge. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on the first day of a Fed meeting and in the middle of an AI supercycle conference, the market’s message was relatively clear: enjoy the green, but don’t assume it’s all luck.

Gold shone a little brighter than shamrock foil today, while silver lost some of its recent luster, and the 10‑year quietly eased as Fed week got underway.150currency+3

Gold Shines, Silver declines

Gold hovered just above the 5,000‑dollar line, with spot prices around 5,030 dollars an ounce, essentially holding the psychological level even as geopolitical risk and rate expectations continued their tug‑of‑war. Silver, by contrast, traded closer to the low‑80s per ounce, slipping on the day and reminding investors that not every metal gets to be the safe‑haven hero in the same session.

10‑year Treasury

In bonds, the 10‑year Treasury yield edged down to roughly the low‑4.2 percent area, marking a modest pullback from last week’s highs as traders positioned ahead of the Fed’s rate decision and digested still‑elevated inflation prints. The move kept real yields from breaking higher and offered just enough relief to growth and AI‑heavy names to keep the “higher for longer” narrative from completely drowning out the St. Patrick’s Day cheer..

VP Watchlist Updates

Below is an update‑style snapshot on the VP Watchlist names for the week, focused on recent catalysts, positioning, and narrative rather than precise price moves.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (EPRX, $7.58, +2.57%)

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Eupraxia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for applications with significant unmet need, announced (March 17) positive symptom data from patients in the two highest dose cohorts from its ongoing Phase 1b/2a part of the RESOLVE trial evaluating EP-104GI for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (“EoE”). “We are very pleased to see such a meaningful symptom response at 24 weeks in the highest dose of the Phase 1b/2a portion of the RESOLVE study,” said Dr. James A. Helliwell, Chief Executive Officer of Eupraxia. “We believe this type of response based on a single administration procedure would represent a compellingly different option for EoE patients. Importantly, the response that we are observing across cohorts 4-9 has increased as patients progress through the study through to week 24. We believe this demonstrates the importance of stable, continuous long-term local steroids in tamping down signs of inflammation quickly and acting on fibrosis in the longer term. Also, as previously reported, we continue to be encouraged by the safety profile that we have observed with EP-104GI. Currently, with 31 patients dosed in the Phase 1b/2a study, and over 220 months of follow up, there have been no reported serious adverse events.”

Modular Medical (MODD $.2305)

Modular Medical recently priced a public offering of 68,098,000 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) alongside warrants to buy an equivalent number of shares, targeting gross proceeds of about 12 million dollars before fees. The combined public offering price of roughly 17.62 cents per share and accompanying warrant comes at a premium to the prevailing market, a rare feat in a sector where financings often resemble clearance sales rather than premium shelf space.
Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.

GeoVax Labs (GOVX, $1.68)

GeoVax announced (Feb. 24) the formation of its Oncology Advisory Board with the appointment of three internationally recognized leaders in immuno-oncology, translational medicine, and clinical development. This Advisory Board will play a central role in guiding the scientific, translational, and clinical advancement of GeoVax’s oncology program, focused primarily on Gedeptin(R), the company’s gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapeutic (GDEPT). GeoVax plans to conduct a Phase 2 trial with Gedeptin in the neoadjuvant setting, pairing it with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In parallel, it will be evaluating combination Gedeptin + ICI strategies across additional solid tumor indications.
GeoVax announced on Wednesday, Feb. 18 that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Emory University for intellectual property covering the use of Gedeptin(R) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
On February 17, GOVX issued a statement endorsing the urgent call to action articulated by Rosamund Lewis, MD (WHO Head, Poxviruses Programme) and colleagues in their recently published PLOS Medicine article, “The mpox epidemic is not over: Reducing disproportionate burden in Africa and persistent global risk require a sustained response.” (https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004893&type=printable)
Shares can gap sharply on any trial or regulatory update, positive or negative.

The InterGroup Corporation (INTG, $38.88, +1.70%)

InterGroup Corporation delivered (Feb. 17) a notably stronger quarter, highlighted by a 20% jump in total revenue to $17.3 million and a 27% surge in hotel revenue as renovated rooms returned to service and travel demand improved. The company swung from a prior-year net loss to $1.0 million in net income, with operating income more than doubling to $2.0 million, underscoring better cost control and improved operating efficiency. Management further enhanced liquidity and sharpened strategic focus by selling a non-core 12‑unit Los Angeles multifamily property, generating a meaningful gain and additional working capital while maintaining stable performance across its real estate portfolio.

Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR, +.22%) & M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO)

Volato Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an amendment to its Aircraft Management Services Agreement with flyExclusive, Inc. (“FLYX”) providing for the sale of certain legacy intellectual property assets. The agreement provides for consideration valued at approximately $1.3 million, payable in FLYX Class A common stock, subject to customary conditions. The assets relate to legacy intellectual property developed during earlier stages of the Company’s technology initiatives and are not part of Volato’s current operating platforms. Volato continues to evaluate opportunities to streamline its asset base and focus resources on strategic priorities, including the continued development of its core software platforms and the pending business combination with M2i Global, Inc.
Volato and M2i Global reaffirmed their goal of closing their business combination in the first quarter of 2026, citing steady advancement through SEC review and integration planning as they move toward a combined listing. The deal, originally announced in 2025, will effectively transition Volato from a pure‑play private aviation operator into a diversified platform spanning aviation technology and critical minerals, with M2i shareholders expected to own the majority of the combined entity. Operationally, the partnership is already visible: the two companies recently initiated their first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the United States from Titanium X, underscoring how the critical‑minerals vertical could become a meaningful growth engine as domestic supply‑chain security rises in strategic importance.
On Feb. 4, M2i Global,Inc.along with Volato Group, Inc. announced that Titanium X has initiated its first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the U.S. under its collaboration agreement.

NVIDIA (NVDA, $181.93) (NOK, $8.55)

In an AI market obsessed with GPUs and stardust, Nokia (NOK) is quietly reminding investors that none of this magic moves without serious plumbing. While Nvidia (NVDA) prepares to headline its GTC 2026 “Woodstock of AI” showcase, the chip giant has already written a very real check to Nokia, committing a $1 billion investment to help rewire the world’s networks for 5G‑Advanced, 6G, and AI‑native workloads. The message is simple enough: GPUs may be the new rock stars, but networking is the stadium.
Nvidia delivered strong fourth-quarter results recently, posting revenue of $68.1 billion, well above analyst expectations. Looking ahead, the company projects $7.8 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued robust demand for its AI chips even amid broader market headwinds.
NVIDIA and Nebius Group N.V. (NASDAQ: NBIS) (March 11) announced a strategic partnership to develop and deploy the next generation of hyperscale cloud for the AI market, from AI natives to enterprises. NVIDIA will invest $2 billion in Nebius.

McDonald’s (MCD, $326.30)

In the run-up to World Protein Day on 27th February, McDonald’s India (West & South), owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld, is celebrating Protein Week, reinforcing its leadership in nutrition-led innovation. Making protein more accessible, affordable and customizable, Indian consumers can use the McDonald’s app to explore these nutritious offerings and avail of protein burgers starting at just INR 69. Enhancing this convenience, consumers ordering via McDelivery can also enjoy free delivery on the Protein Plus meal range.

Opendoor (OPEN, $5.56, +7.34%)

Opendoor Technologies, a leading e-commerce platform for residential real estate transactions, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. They highlighted the following: October 2025 acquisition cohort tracking as best-performing October in Company history; acquisitions increased 46% quarter-over-quarter while inventory days in possession reduced 23%.
Opendoor continues to navigate a challenging housing backdrop characterized by still‑elevated mortgage rates and tight existing‑home inventories, which weigh on transaction volumes even as affordability slowly improves. The company’s focus on disciplined acquisition spreads, inventory turns, and ancillary services remains central to the investment debate as markets handicap the pace and magnitude of any 2026 housing recovery.

Lemonade (LMND, $66.87, +15.81%)

Lemonade delivers AI-powered renters, pet, car, homeowners, and life insurance across the US and EU. We process claims instantly, keep costs low, and donate unused premiums to causes selected by our community, as part of the annual Giveback program.

The Sources

Here’s a clean, numbered list of key sources with links you can reference for today’s piece:

Reuters – “Trump demands other countries help secure vital Strait of Hormuz as Iran vows defiance”
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-calls-allies-help-secure-strait-hormuz-iran-vows-step-up-retaliation-2026-03-15/[reuters]
Yahoo Finance – “Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures falter, oil slides as Wall Street weighs Iran war signals”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-futures-falter-oil-slides-as-wall-street-weighs-iran-war-signals-202450040.html[finance.yahoo]
Yahoo Finance – “Dow, S&P 500 end lower, oil slides as Wall Street weighs Iran war signals”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-end-lower-oil-slides-as-wall-street-weighs-iran-war-signals-200450413.html[finance.yahoo]
Yahoo Finance – “Oil Slides as Global Leaders Seen Acting to Blunt Supply Shock”
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-slides-trump-seeks-ease-233049150.html[finance.yahoo]
Yahoo Finance (video) – “Oil Falls After Trump Says War Will End ‘Very Soon’”
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/oil-falls-trump-says-war-072055488.html[finance.yahoo]
U.S. News – “US Officials Predict Quick End to Iran War, While Tehran Says It Can Fight On”
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-03-15/trump-warns-of-more-strikes-on-irans-kharg-island-pressures-allies-to-secure-oil-routes[usnews]
AP News – “Trump says he’s asked ‘about 7’ countries to join coalition to police Iran’s Strait of Hormuz”
https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-us-trump-march-15-2026-9bbed3c906146844be08fdfd02595754[apnews]
The New York Times – “Iran War Live Updates: Israel Expands Lebanon Offensive; Trump’s Oil, NATO Warnings”
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/16/world/iran-war-trump-oil-lebanon[nytimes]
CNBC – “Treasury yields move higher amid rising oil and labor costs”
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/us-treasury-yields-investors-fears-around-us-iran-war.html[cnbc]
CNBC – “10-year Treasury yield falls as oil reverses spike”
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/us-treasury-yields-investors-monitor-iran-war-and-soaring-oil-price.html[cnbc]
CNBC – “Treasury yields: investors weigh escalating U.S.-Iran war”
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/03/treasury-yields-investors-weigh-escalating-us-iran-war.html[cnbc]
Yahoo Finance – “Trump admin weighs options to lower oil prices amid Iran conflict” (video)
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/trump-admin-weighs-options-lower-194302837.html[finance.yahoo]
Firstonline – “Stock Market Today, March 16: Europe recovers, following Wall Street; oil slows”
https://www.firstonline.info/en/stock-market-today-March-16-Europe-recovers-in-the-wake-of-Wall-Street-oil-slows/[firstonline]

March 17, 2026 – Gold Glitters, Yields Flinch: A St. Paddy’s Market Recap With a Wink -( $EPRX $GLD $INTG $LMND $OPEN $SOAR Rise!)