🟢 Ledger Weekly: May 9, 2025

Your weekly roundup of Charleston business news, market trends, money moves, and a top local job pick.

Author

Brandon Smith
May 09, 2025

tl;dr - We spotlight Daniel Island Ferry, a scenic, stress-free way to get downtown by water. Markets edged up as weak jobs data cooled rate hike fears and AI stocks led the charge. Bitcoin topped $100K, Buffett announced his retirement, and Robinhood remains a top pick for beginner investors. Plus: Charleston’s job of the week and clickworthy stories on Stripe, OpenAI, and more.

🎯 Charleston Biz of the Week

Charleston Business of the Week: Daniel Island Ferry

This week, we’re spotlighting Daniel Island Ferry, a Charleston-based water transit service founded by Colby Hollifield, Captain Scott Connolly, and Captain Chip Deaton.

After years of running Charleston Water Taxi and teaching on the harbor, the three partners saw an opportunity to make evenings and weekend trips to downtown stress-free—and a whole lot more fun. Fortuitous events led Colby, Chip, and Scott to become business partners in 2018, and the Daniel Island Ferry was born.

💡 Lowcountry Ledger’s Take: The Daniel Island Ferry might be Charleston’s most underrated way to get downtown. Whether you’re heading out for dinner, a show, or just a sunset drink, it’s a relaxing, traffic-free ride that turns the commute into part of the night out. For Daniel Island residents, it’s a no-brainer—and for downtown locals, it’s a scenic excuse to explore the island without battling I-526.

🌎 Markets in a Minute

📈 Markets Ticked Up

U.S. stocks ended the week slightly higher amid mixed earnings and cooling jobs data.

A weaker-than-expected jobs report tempered rate hike fears, while tech continued to show strength.

📊 Big Earnings & Moves

🤖 AI & Tech Watch

  • Palantir $PLTR ( ▼ 1.55% ) spiked on strong AI platform demand and bullish government contracts

  • Arm $ARM ( ▼ 0.62% ) surged on upbeat forecasts tied to AI chip licensing

  • Alphabet $GOOGL ( ▼ 0.99% ) dropped after reports of an Apple exec stating AI is eating at Google’s Search monopoly

🌍 Global Macro & Policy

  • U.S. jobs report showed slowing labor market growth, boosting hopes for a Fed pause

  • Fed officials reiterated data-dependent stance, no rush to cut rates

  • Eurozone GDP beat expectations, signaling slow but steady recovery

📌 Other Developments

📈 Market Vitals

$DIA ( ▼ 0.35% ) Tracks 30 blue-chip stocks, showing industrial health.

$SPY ( ▼ 0.13% ) Mirrors S&P 500, gauging broad market performance.

$QQQ ( ▼ 0.07% ) Follows Nasdaq-100, reflecting tech and growth trends.

$BTC.X ( ▲ 0.2% ) Indicates crypto sentiment and risk appetite.

💡 Lowcountry Ledger’s Take: Stocks rebounded as cooling job data eased rate hike fears, while AI-driven tech strength fueled optimism. Investors are betting on a soft landing with the Fed staying patient.

🎯 Brokerage Review: Robinhood

tl;dr: Robinhood is the most accessible U.S. brokerage for commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto — all from one sleek mobile app. It’s ideal for beginners and casual investors who want a low-cost, no-friction platform with a modern user interface. Downsides include limited research tools, slower customer service, and fewer advanced features for serious traders. Still, Robinhood is a strong, Ledger-approved pick for everyday investors building long-term portfolios.

✅ What is Robinhood?

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Robinhood pioneered commission-free investing in the U.S., forcing the entire industry to follow suit. The company went public in 2021 under the ticker $HOOD ( ▲ 1.07% ) and has become a go-to app for a new generation of retail investors.

 💼 Charleston Job of the Week

Demand Generation Marketing Manager

Case Status - Charleston, SC

his role supports customers as the primary point of contact and manages the process across teams internally and externally.

Ready for your next great opportunity in Charleston? Explore the Lowcountry Ledger job board for a curated selection of high-quality, vetted roles!

🔥 Clickworthy

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💼 Looking for your next big opportunity? Browse the Lowcountry Ledger Job Board!

📊 Level up your finances. Explore our Lowcountry Money Guides.

📈 Choosing a brokerage? Read our latest Brokerage Reviews.

✉️ Got a story idea or tip? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Important Disclosures:

This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment, legal, or tax advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any business, employer, or affiliated entity. Investing carries inherent risks, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek advice from qualified professionals before making any investment, legal, or financial decisions. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, no guarantee is made as to its completeness or reliability. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for decisions made or actions taken based on the content of this newsletter. This publication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security. By subscribing to or continuing to read this newsletter, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.