Trade Republic vs. Interactive Brokers vs. Scalable Capital: Which App Fits Your Strategy?

A cooler-than-expected inflation report sent U.S. stocks higher on Monday, as investors grew more confident the Federal Reserve could cut rates this summer. Treasury yields fell sharply, bolstering risk appetite across equities and commodities. ## Market Overview The **S&P 500** advanced, closing at **5,235**, up **1.1%**. The **Nasdaq Composite** outpaced peers, jumping **1.5%** to finish at **17,030**, as growth stocks found renewed favor. The **Dow Jones Industrial Average** added **0.8%** to end at **39,210**, marking its best session in nearly two weeks. Bond markets rallied after the latest CPI print showed headline inflation rising just **0.2%** in February, below economist forecasts. The yield on the **10-year Treasury** slid to **3.85%**, down from 3.92% on Friday, as traders increased bets on a June Fed rate cut. In commodities, **gold** climbed to **$2,180/oz**, notching a fresh all-time high as lower yields and a softer dollar stoked demand for safe havens. **WTI crude oil** edged up to **$84.40/bbl**, supported by ongoing supply concerns but capped by the inflation data’s implications for global growth. The **U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)** retreated to **102.7**, its lowest level in a month. The **euro** strengthened to **$1.096** against the dollar, reflecting shifting rate expectations on both sides of the Atlantic. ## Key Movers Tech led Monday’s gains, with **Nvidia (NVDA)** surging **2.7%** to close at **$990** as AI enthusiasm continued to lift chip stocks. **Apple (AAPL)** rose **1.4%** after a report indicated robust demand for its latest iPhone in China. On the software side, **Microsoft (MSFT)** added **1.6%**, buoyed by optimism around cloud growth. Banks also caught a bid as lower rates improved the outlook for lending activity. **JPMorgan Chase (JPM)** gained **1.2%**, while **Bank of America (BAC)** advanced **1.3%**. Consumer discretionary names such as **Amazon (AMZN)** and **Tesla (TSLA)** each rose over **2%**, with investors anticipating resilient spending in a lower-rate environment. In the ETF space, trading volumes surged as investors repositioned portfolios. For those evaluating platforms, see our deep dive on which broker is best for European ETF investors. ## What to Watch All eyes turn to the Fed’s policy meeting this Wednesday, where Chair Powell is expected to address the path of rate cuts in light of today’s inflation data. Markets are now pricing in a greater than 70% chance of a June cut, according to CME FedWatch. Also on tap this week: retail sales numbers on Thursday, which will offer more insight into consumer strength. On the corporate front, results from key retailers and chipmakers could further set the tone for growth stocks. For readers interested in trading U.S. stocks from Europe, our Interactive Brokers tutorial provides a step-by-step guide. With the Fed in focus and volatility likely to remain elevated, investors should brace for more swings as the week unfolds.