Global markets
Every item from Trenri daily that fell into Global markets, latest first.
May 2026 Β· 66
S&P 500 and Nasdaq close lower on inflation shock
On May 12, the S&P 500 closed down 0.16% at 7,400.96 and Nasdaq fell 0.71% to 26,088.20. The Dow rose 0.11% to 49,760.56, leaving the session mixed, but the key driver was April CPI coming in at 3.8%, above the 3.7% consensus.
KOSPI plunges 2.29%, retreating to 7,643
KOSPI closed May 12 down 179.09 points, or 2.29%, at 7,643.15, ending a five-session advance. Middle East tension and profit-taking hit simultaneously, producing the steepest decline among Asian markets.
USD/KRW jumps to 1,489, won drops 17.5
In Seoul FX trading on May 12, USD/KRW closed at 1,489.9 as of 3:30 p.m., up 17.5 won from the previous close, meaning a sharp drop in the won. Dollar strength and renewed Middle East risk accelerated the move.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yield reaches one-week high near 4.42%
After President Trump rejected Tehran's peace offer and raised doubts about the durability of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose near 4.42% on May 12, a one-week high. Rising inflation risk drove bond selling.
European stocks sell off as Hormuz fears return
On May 12, the pan-European STOXX 600 fell 1.1% to 606 and the eurozone STOXX 50 dropped 1.4% to 5,815. The U.K. FTSE 100 diverged, rising 0.36% to 10,269.43.
Zebra Technologies surges 15.4% on earnings surprise
Asset-tracking technology company Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) surged 15.4% on May 11 after quarterly results beat Wall Street consensus by a wide margin. Amentum Holdings (AMTM) rose 3.4% on its own earnings beat, while the energy ETF XLE gained 2.6% on higher oil.
U.S. big three hit fresh record highs
The S&P 500 rose 0.19% to 7,412.84; the Nasdaq up 0.1% to 26,274.13; the Dow up 95.31 points (0.19%) to 49,704.47. AI trade and Apple strength fueled the rally.
KOSPI surges 324 points to fresh 7,822 high
KOSPI rocketed 324.24 points (+4.32%) to 7,822.24, marking five straight record closes. Intraday highs touched 7,899.32, threatening 8,000. KOSDAQ edged down 0.38 points to 1,207.34. Korea's combined market cap breached 7 quadrillion won for the first time.
SK Hynix +11.98%, Samsung +6.33% on HBM
SK Hynix shot 11.98% to β©1.888 million, peaking at β©1.949 million to surpass Broadcom and hit global #14 at a $900B cap. Samsung rose 6.33% to β©285,500 for a fresh high.
Asia mixed, Europe weak
Nikkei 225 fell 0.47% to 62,417.88; Topix rose 0.3% to 3,840.93; China CSI 300 +1.64% to 4,951.84. ASX 200 dropped 0.49%. Pan-European STOXX 600 slid 0.8% to 612 on Hormuz fears, marking a second straight down day.
Brent $104, WTI $98 on Hormuz
WTI surged 2%+ to roughly $98 per barrel; Brent hit $103.77β$104.21, topping May 8's close of $101.29. Trump's Iran rejection and ongoing Hormuz blockade intensify the decade-long dispute. Tanker traffic near zero.
Gold slips on inflation hedging vs. safe haven
Gold prices retreat on oil-driven inflation fears, down 11%+ since the conflict started. Friday's peak of $4,720 marked a four-week high before easing. Safe-haven appeal clashes with inflation-hedge demand.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq Set New All-Time Highs
On May 8, the S&P 500 rose 0.84% to 7,398.93, Nasdaq jumped 1.71% to 26,247.08, both hitting record closes. The Dow held steady at 49,609.16.
β¦ RELATED THESIS10-Year Treasury Yield Stabilizes at 4.38%
On May 8, the U.S. 10-year yield closed at 4.38%, 2-year at 3.90%, 30-year at 4.95%. Despite April employment surprise, bond market impact remained limited.
β¦ RELATED THESISDollar Index Falls Below 98; Weakens on Middle East Uncertainty
DXY declined 0.16% to 97.91 on May 8, returning to pre-war levels. Dollar strength momentum slowed amid U.S.-Iran negotiation uncertainty.
β¦ RELATED THESISWon-Dollar at 1,468; KOSPI Recovers to 7,498 Edge
On May 8, the Korean won traded at 1,468 per dollar, extending weakness. KOSPI closed up 0.11% at 7,498.00, nearly touching the 7,500 level.
Gold Breaks $4,720; Copper Rallies 3% on Week
On May 8, spot gold surpassed $4,720 per ounce, marking the highest since April 22. Copper futures remained above $6.10 per pound, up over 3% for the week.
β¦ RELATED THESISBullish Acquires Equiniti for $4.2B; Bayer Acquires Perfuse for up to $2.45B
On May 5, crypto exchange Bullish agreed to acquire UK-based financial outsourcing firm Equiniti from Siris Capital for $4.2 billion. On May 6, Bayer announced acquisition of Perfuse Therapeutics for up to $2.45 billion.
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P 500 Closes at All-Time High of 7,365pt
On 5/5, the S&P 500 hit an all-time high of 7,365.12 (+1.46%), the Dow rose 612.34 points to 49,910.59 (+1.24%), and the Nasdaq gained 2.02% to 25,838.94. On 5/7, momentum slowed with mixed results.
β¦ RELATED THESISU.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls to 4.34%; Inflation Concerns Ease
On 5/7, the 10-year Treasury yield declined 2bp to 4.34%, with 30-year yields at 4.93%. Oil price weakness reduced price-pressure expectations, attracting buyers.
β¦ RELATED THESISBrent Approaches $100; WTI Declines to $94 Range
On 5/7, Brent crude futures closed approximately 8% lower at $100.45 per barrel, with WTI down 0.28% to $94.81. Risk premiums compressed as markets awaited Iran's response to the U.S. peace proposal.
Norway Delivers First Rate Hike Since 2023; Norges Bank at 4.25%
Norges Bank surprised markets on 5/7 with a 25bp rate hike to 4.25%. Only a handful of Bloomberg survey respondents had anticipated the move, marking Western Europe's first tightening since Iran conflict onset.
β¦ RELATED THESISDollar Weakens; Israeli Sheqel Reaches 33-Year High
With market expectations of Iran peace progress reducing safe-haven demand, the dollar index softened. The Israeli sheqel reached a 33-year high on 5/7, up 1.1% that day.
β¦ RELATED THESISSilver Breaks $79; Gold at $4,685
Silver surged past $79 per ounce on 5/7, while gold traded at $4,685.37, down 0.13%. Oil weakness redirected inflation-hedge demand toward silver.
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P 500 Reaches All-Time High of 7,365.12, Up 1.46%
Reports of imminent U.S.-Iran agreement sparked a broad risk-asset explosion, propelling the index into new record territory.
β¦ RELATED THESISNasdaq Climbs 2.02% to 25,838.94; Dow Rises 1.24% to 49,910.59
Technology strength led the broader advance, with the Dow gaining 612.34 points and confirming broad-based rally momentum.
β¦ RELATED THESISUber Stock Surges 8.5%; Q1 GBV Hits $53.7B, Up 25% Year-Over-Year
Q1 GAAP EPS totaled $0.13; non-GAAP EPS of $0.72 represents 44% year-over-year growth. Forward guidance of $56.2β$57.7B exceeds consensus.
β¦ RELATED THESISDisney Gains 6% in Premarket After Strong Q1 Earnings Surprise
The May 7 report showed Disney beating revenue and earnings expectations in the new CEO's first full quarter.
Intel Jumps 13% to All-Time High Following Apple Chip Deal Talks
Bloomberg's May 5 report of Apple exploring domestic chip production with Intel and Samsung drove an 13% surge. The semiconductor index has rallied 35.2% since April.
β¦ RELATED THESISAirbnb Raises Guidance; Middle East Weakness Noted Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Airbnb raised its revenue forecast while acknowledging weakness in certain Middle Eastern markets due to regional conflict, though earnings season momentum remained intact.
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P500 at 7,365, Nasdaq at 25,838, Both Post Record Closes
All three major U.S. indices closed at all-time highs on Iran peace negotiations. Dow +1.24%, S&P +1.46%, Nasdaq +2.02%.
β¦ RELATED THESISNikkei Surges Over 5% Next Day, Breaks 62,000 for First Time
On May 7, Nikkei225 surged over 5%, achieving a historic breakthrough above 62,000. Semiconductor and AI stocks led gains.
β¦ RELATED THESISKospi Breaks 7,000 for First Time; Taiwan Index Also Hits Record
South Korea's Kospi achieved its first-ever breakthrough above 7,000, while Taiwan's weighted index also posted record highs. AI and semiconductor momentum continues.
β¦ RELATED THESISShanghai Composite +1.17%, Hang Seng +1.22%, India SENSEX +1.22%
Shanghai 4,160.17, Hang Seng 26,213.78, Australia ASX200 +1.30% to 8,793.60. Asia-wide risk appetite evident.
Supermicro +24.5%, AMD +17.77%; Semiconductor Rally Leads
Supermicro +24.5%, AMD +17.77%, with NVIDIA +5.5% and Intel +4.22% joining the rally, reigniting the AI cycle.
β¦ RELATED THESISOil Down $10, Gold and Silver Rise; Digital Assets Mixed
Brent crude plunges to around $106 while gold and silver advance. Bitcoin recovers to the $82,000 range. Distinct divergence across asset classes.
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P500 7,259.22, Nasdaq 25,326.13
S&P +0.81%, Dow +356pt to 49,298.34. Technology stocks up over 2%.
β¦ RELATED THESISStoxx 600 closes up approximately 0.7%
Most sectors green despite lingering Iran concerns.
β¦ RELATED THESISBitcoin breaks $81,000, highest since January
7 AM ET: $80,921, cumulative 5.2% gain over five days.
β¦ RELATED THESISEthereum rises 4.66% over five days to $2,374
AI optimism, Iran negotiations, and US cryptocurrency legislation expectations stimulate risk appetite.
Brent crude at $116.55/barrel (8:45 AM ET)
Up $1.54 from previous day, approximately $56 higher year-over-year.
β¦ RELATED THESISPfizer +2.2%, reflecting strong earnings
Q1 revenue and EPS exceed consensus, 2026 guidance reconfirmed.
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P 500 Reaches All-Time High of 7,259
The S&P 500 rose 0.81% to 7,259.22, establishing a new all-time high supported by strong earnings and declining oil prices.
β¦ RELATED THESISNasdaq and Dow Jones Close at Record Levels
The Nasdaq gained 1.03% to close at 25,326.13, while the Dow Jones rose 356.35 points (0.73%) to 49,298.25, with all three major indices hitting all-time highs.
β¦ RELATED THESISWTI Retreats 3.9% to $102.27
WTI futures fell 3.9% to $102.27, while Brent declined 3.99% to $109.87, supporting the risk-asset rally.
KOSPI Surges 5.12% Single-Day Rally to 6,936.99
Following the Labor Day holiday, the KOSPI surged 5.12% to close at 6,936.99 on May 4, approaching all-time highs above 7,000.
β¦ RELATED THESISKorean Market Capitalization Reaches 6,058 Trillion Won, Ranks 8th Globally
South Korea's stock market capitalization has surpassed 6,058 trillion won, lifting the market to 8th position globally.
Korean Equities Up 75% Year-to-Dateβ'World's Hottest Market'
Bloomberg reports Korean stock markets have rallied 75% year-to-date in 2026, earning the designation of 'the world's hottest market.'
β¦ RELATED THESISS&P 500 Hits 7,230.12 Record
On May 1st, the S&P 500 closed at 7,230.12, up 0.29%, marking a May Day record driven by AI and Apple strength.
Nasdaq Breaches 25K for First Time at 25,114.44
The Nasdaq surged 0.89% to cross the historic 25,000 milestone for the first time. Big Tech earnings and visible AI revenue growth sustained momentum.
Dow Slips Slightly to 49,499.27
The Dow declined 0.31%, lagging due to its lower Big Tech weighting relative to broad-market gains.
May 4: Asia and Europe Turn Mixed
Germany's DAX held steady, France's CAC 40 fell nearly 1%, and the UK observed a holiday, dampening European trading volume. Asian markets opened mixed.
Gold Falls 1.6%; Dollar Strengthens
On May 4th, gold declined approximately 1.6% as dollar strength reduced foreign demand for the safe-haven asset.
Brent Swings Between $100 and $114
July Brent crude settled at $101.26 on May 1st, then surged 6% to $114 on May 4th following reports of U.S.-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz.
S&P 500 Closes at 7,230.12 on May 1βAll-Time High
Up 0.29%, accompanied by Nasdaq record close. Strong big tech earnings and temporary oil stabilization provided tailwinds.
Microsoft Fiscal Q3: Revenue $82.9B (+18%), Azure +40%
EPS of $4.27 (+23%); commercial remaining performance obligations of $627 billion (+99% year-over-year) highlight cloud and AI pipeline visibility.
Apple Fiscal Q2: Revenue $111.2B (+17%), EPS $2.01
Services revenue $30.98B; Greater China $20.5B (+28%). June quarter guidance projects +14% to +17%.
Stratechery: Big Tech Q1 Marks 'AI Capex Cycle' Acceleration
Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon report strong results, driving record AI infrastructure capital expenditure.
FactSet S&P 500 Earnings Season Update as of May 1
Reporting companies are raising guidance at higher rates; consensus EPS growth trends upward early in the season.
BMNR ETH Holdings Reach 5.18 Million Tokens
Bitmine Immersion announced Ethereum holdings of 5.18 million as of April 30, exemplifying corporate asset diversification.
S&P 500 +0.29% to Record 7,230.12
April delivered a 5% monthly gainβstrongest performance since 2020. Apple and Alphabet earnings, combined with moderating oil prices, provided momentum.
KOSPI Closes at 6,598.8 (-1.38%), April +31%
Intraday record of 6,750.27 followed by profit-taking. April's cumulative advance marks the strongest monthly gain since January 1998.
Alphabet After-Hours +6%, EPS $5.11
Q1 revenue of $109.9 billion (+22%) exceeded consensus. AI infrastructure capex guidance was raised, supporting the extended advance.
Meta After-Hours -5%, Q2 Revenue Growth Guidance Tempered
Q1 revenue of $56.3 billion (+33%) and $10.44 EPS posted strong results, yet forward advertising growth moderation sparked selling.
MSFT and AMZN After-Hours Approximately -3%
AI capex guidance and cloud supply constraints weighed on sentiment, though both companies exceeded revenue consensus.
Korean Credit Balances at Record Highsβ¦Near-Term Concentration Risk
With KOSPI approaching the 7,000 level, margin loan and short-selling concerns surface. Exchange data confirms record credit balances.
April 2026 Β· 179
S&P 500 Reaches Record 7,230.12; April Posts Best Monthly Return Since 2020
Dow surged ~800 points on April 29, breaking S&P 500 through 7,200 for the first time; April posted strongest monthly return since 2020. Closed April 30 at record 7,230.12, up 0.29%.
Nikkei Down 1.06%, Topix Falls 1.19% After Reopening; Profit-Taking
Japanese markets retreated upon resuming from closure; Nikkei 225 closed at 59,284.92 (β1.06%), Topix at 3,727.21 (β1.19%).
Hang Seng Down 1.27%, CSI 300 Flat at 4,807.30
Hong Kong Hang Seng finished near day's low at β1.27%. Mainland CSI 300 closed flat at 4,807.30. Overlapping US-China-Iran variables confirm range-bound trading.
South Korean Won Remains Pressured by AI Boom Capital Outflows
Bank of Korea held the base rate at 2.5% on April 10. Despite 2026 Korea GDP guidance at 1.9%, capital flight to US AI boom continues to pressure won weakness.
Apple Q2 Revenue Up 17%, EPS Up 22% in April 30 Results
Apple fiscal 2Q revenue of $111.2B (+17%), EPS +22%. iPhone revenue up 22% to $57B; iPhone 17 lineup rated most popular ever.
Amazon AWS Up 28%, Strongest Growth in Three Years; Microsoft EPS $4.27
Amazon EPS $2.78 (beat expectations of $1.64), revenue $181.52B; AWS grew 28% to $37.59Bβstrongest in three years. Microsoft EPS $4.27, beating consensus by $0.21.
S&P 500 Falls 0.49% to 7,138.80 on OpenAI Report
Following a report about OpenAI missing internal targets, the S&P 500 declined 0.49% on April 28. Approximately 54.1% of U.S. stocks (3,011 issues) participated in the decline.
KOSPI Hits Record 6,641.02; Trading Volume 37.3 Trillion Won
After reaching an intra-day high of 6,712.73, the KOSPI closed at a record 6,641.02 as profit-taking occurred. Trading volume reached 1.1 billion shares with 37.3 trillion won in value, as investors awaited big tech earnings.
DAX Up 0.68%, FTSE MIB Up 1.24%; European Strength
Germany's DAX rose 0.68% and Italy's FTSE MIB climbed 1.24%. By contrast, France's CAC fell 0.53% and Britain's FTSE 100 remained flat.
Nikkei 225 Down 0.34%; Topix Up 0.33%βMixed Session
The Nikkei fell 0.34% while the Topix gained 0.33%. The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose to 2.50%.
S&P 500 Up Over 5% in April; Historical Strength Signal
According to Benzinga, April performances of the S&P 500 exceeding 5% have historically correlated with elevated returns for the remainder of the year.
KOSPI Market Cap Signals Bubble Risk, Bloomberg Warns
Bloomberg has cautioned that South Korea's world-leading equity performance is creating bubble risk in the domestic market.
S&P 500 7,138.80 (β0.49%) β OpenAI Revenue Miss Aftershock
WSJ reporting that OpenAI weekly user and revenue targets missed internal goals. Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom decline sharply; 54.1% (3,011 issues) of U.S. market down.
Brent $111.49 β Hormuz Transit 8 Vessels; 6% of Normal
Al Jazeera: April 28 Sunday passage of 8 vessels versus 19 the day prior and pre-war daily average of 129. Trump's rejection of Iran blockade relief proposal sustains price strength.
Bitcoin $76,342, ETH $2,277 β Weakness Before Fed Meeting
BTC opened $77,368 and fell to $76,472 by 7:10 ET. ETH also declined from $2,303 to $2,278. Both assets sold ahead of April 29 FOMC session.
Spotify Q1 β¬4.53B Revenue, EPS $4.04 β Guidance Disappointment Triggers β13%
MAU surpassed 760 million; EPS beat consensus $3.72 estimate. However, operating income guidance miss plus AI and marketing spend concerns drove post-earnings decline.
LVMH Q1 β¬19.1B (β5.9%) β Middle East Impact β1 Percentage Point
Organic growth +1%; reported basis β5.9%. Asia ex-Japan +7%, Americas +3%; Europe and Japan β3%. Middle East locations report 30β70% sales collapse since March.
Kering (Gucci) β6.2%; Gucci Revenue β¬1.35B (β14.3%)
Kering disclosure (4/15): Gucci reported β14.3%, organic β8%. Iran conflict-driven luxury sector headwinds; Hermes and LVMH also decline.
S&P500 +0.12% to Record 7,173.91
The S&P500 rose 0.12% to 7,173.91 on April 27, marking another all-time high. AI optimism continues to support equities ahead of major tech earnings.
Q1 EPS Growth Revised Up to 27.1%
FactSet revised S&P500 Q1 blended EPS growth to 27.1% from 15.0%, the highest since Q4 2021.
Big Tech Four Plus Apple Report This Week
Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon report Wednesday; Apple on Thursday. AI capex guidance will be the critical volatility variable.
Brent Crude at $106.73; Up $40 Year-over-Year
Brent crude fell 32 cents to $106.73 on April 27 (9 a.m. ET), but remains approximately $40 higher than a year ago.
Europe: EUR/USD Weak, Stoxx600 Flat
Amid stagflation concerns and Hormuz strait risks, EUR/USD remains near recent lows while the Stoxx600 trades sideways.
Dow Jones Down 25.86 Points to 49,141.93
The Dow closed down 25.86 points to 49,141.93, highlighting index divergence.
S&P 500 Up 0.3%, Nasdaq Up 0.7% on April 24
The Dow closed up 43 points (0.1%). Despite Hormuz concerns, U.S. equities finished near all-time highs, supported by semiconductor strength.
Nvidia Reclaims $5 Trillion Market Capitalization
Nvidia's stock surged 5% intraday on the 24th to reclaim the $5 trillion market cap threshold, approaching an all-time closing high. AMD (+13%) and Qualcomm (+10%) rallied in tandem.
Q1 Earnings: 138 S&P 500 Companies Reported; Big Tech on April 29-30
As of the 24th, 138 S&P 500 companies have reported Q1 results. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are expected to report on April 29, with Apple following on April 30.
KOSPI Surges 31% in April; Strongest Month Since January 1998
The Korean KOSPI surged approximately 31% in April, marking the strongest monthly gain since shortly after the 1998 IMF crisis. AI and semiconductor momentum drove performance.
Won-Dollar Exchange Rate at 1,484.5; Foreign Investors Net Sellers
Seoul forex market close on the 24th stood at 1,484.5 won (up 3.5 won from the previous day). Foreign investors recorded net selling of 1.95 trillion won in KOSPI, while domestic investors and institutions net purchased 1.99 trillion won combined.
Bloomberg: Korean Equities Rally Creates Bubble Risk
Bloomberg reported that Korea's world-leading equity rally presents bubble risks. Short-term profit-taking pressures are mounting.
S&P 500 Closes at All-Time High 7,165.08 (+0.80%)
Intel earnings and renewed expectations for US-Iran talks drive gains.
Nasdaq Hits All-Time High 24,836.60 (+1.63%)
Semiconductor sector leadership recovers; AI megacaps expand share.
Dow at 49,230.71 (-0.16%)
Energy and industrial profit-taking; divergence from mega-cap tech.
Bitcoin at $78,107 β Five-Day Gain of 5.81%
Settled in $78K range; cautious mode amid Hormuz volatility.
Ethereum at $2,353 β Five-Day Gain of 2.73%
Stabilized in $2,300s; relative weakness against BTC.
KOSPI Breaks 7,000 for the First Time
Memory supercycle bet drives 'dream milestone' achievement ahead of schedule.
S&P 500 Reaches Record 7,165.08 (+0.80%)
Nasdaq also posts all-time high. Tech sector strength drives index performance.
Nasdaq Inc. Q1 Revenue Up 14% YoY to $1.4B
EPS $0.96 (beat estimate of $0.93). Operating income $799M, +17% YoY.
Brent at $105.33, WTI at $94.40
Volatility narrows on expectations for U.S.βIranβPakistan negotiations.
Bitcoin Up 11.8% in April, Breaks $78K
Bitcoin ETF inflows total $2.1B over 9 consecutive days (April 14β24)βlargest 6-month streak.
81% of S&P 500 Earnings Beats Top EPS Estimates
Among 87 reporting companies, 76% exceeded revenue guidanceβstrong earnings season momentum.
KOSPI Hits All-Time High of 7,490.05
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix lead gains, reflecting strong AI semiconductor export performance.
S&P 500 Closes Up 1.05% to 7,137.90 on April 22
On April 22, the S&P 500 rose 1.05% to 7,137.90, the Nasdaq climbed 1.64% to 24,657.57, and the Dow gained 340.65 points to 49,490.03.
Nikkei 225 Hits All-Time High of 60,013 Then Falls 0.75%
The Nikkei reached an all-time high of 60,013.98 intraday on April 23 before closing down 0.75% at 59,140.23, pressured by profit-taking.
KOSPI Reaches Record High of 6,557 Intraday, Closes Up 0.90% to 6,475
The KOSPI hit an all-time high of 6,557.76 intraday on April 23 before closing up 0.90% at 6,475.81. Combined foreign and institutional selling totaled 331 billion won.
IBM Q1 Revenue $15.63 Billion; Stock Falls 7% After Guidance Hold
IBM reported first-quarter revenue of approximately $15.63 billion with software revenue of $6.98 billion, up 7% year-over-year. Despite beating consensus, the stock fell 7% in after-hours trading due to unchanged guidance.
Bitcoin Opens Above $78,000 on April 23, Up 2.4%; Ethereum at $2,375
Bitcoin opened above $78,000 on April 23, up 2.4% from the prior close. Ethereum opened at $2,375.12 before declining to $2,316.88 by 7:10 a.m.
ECB Holds Policy Rates; Emphasizes Upside Inflation and Downside Growth Risks
The ECB maintained deposit rates at 2% while explicitly highlighting both upside inflation and downside growth risks, expressing concerns about prolonged conflict.
Nasdaq Closes at All-Time High; S&P 500 Up 1%
Ceasefire extension restores risk appetite; Dow rises 0.6%.
Tesla Q1 Revenue $23.8B, EPS $0.41
Gross margin 21.1%; deliveries 358K units fall short of consensus; capex $2.5B.
Boeing Q1 Loss Forecast at $0.59 Per Share
777X cash burn and defense weakness persist; pre-market report.
Nvidia Capable of Generating More Cash Than Apple and Microsoft Combined
BofA highlights shareholder return inflection point; market cap nears $5 trillion.
KOSPI Broadens Emerging Concentration
Samsung and SK Holdings combined represent 65.86% of index; 'K-shaped' divergence risk.
Bitcoin $78,194, Ethereum $2,393; Ceasefire Momentum
Both assets recover February highs during same timeframe.
S&P 500 closes at -0.63%, 7,064.01
Decline driven by concerns over Iran ceasefire expiration. Nasdaq -0.59% at 24,259.96; Dow -0.59% at 49,149.38.
KOSPI reaches all-time high: 6,376.28
Closed up 2.72% intraday. Samsung Electronics +2.1%; SK Hynix +4.97%.
Foreign investor single-day net purchase of 1+ trillion won; 14-day cumulative 5.79 trillion won
April 21 saw single-day foreign net purchases exceeding 1 trillion won, with April 7β21 cumulative reaching 5.7915 trillion won. Concentrated purchases: SK Hynix 2.4128 trillion won; Samsung 1.0946 trillion won.
Nikkei 225 closes +0.89% at 59,349.17
Topix -0.18% at 3,770.38. Mixed sentiment reflects expectations of Middle East diplomatic progress.
VP Vance temporarily halts Iran ceasefire negotiation trip
Reported pause in diplomatic efforts due to lack of commitment from Tehran, widening Wall Street anxiety.
Bitcoin $76,535; Ethereum $2,322; prices rise
BTC +2.7% from prior day; ETH +2.2%. Trump stated the government would consider expanding Bitcoin holdings.
S&P 500 +4.5% Weekly; Nasdaq +6.8%
The S&P 500 rose 4.5%, Nasdaq 6.8%, Dow 3.19%, and Russell 2000 5.57% for the week, with AI stock rotation as the key driver.
Seven of Nine Global Indices Positive Year-to-Date
Among the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India indices, seven were up as of April 20.
Market Misreading Iran Headlines; Volatility Widening
CNBC reports that analysts observe whipsaw patterns as markets over- and under-interpret Iran conflict news flow.
Q1 Earnings Season Off to a Solid Start
Strong early Q1 2026 results are reinforcing risk-on sentiment.
Oil Declines Fuel Disinflation Hopes
The Strait of Hormuz reopening and resulting crude decline are easing expectations around inflation and rates, powering risk-asset demand.
AI Stock Rotation Driving Momentum
The decisive catalyst for the global risk-on rally is the rotation back into artificial intelligence equities.
S&P 500 Cracks 7,100; Nasdaq Extends to 13-Day Streak
S&P 500 surged 1.2% to 7,126.06 on April 17, piercing 7,100 for the first time; Nasdaq advanced 1.52% to 24,468.48 for its 13th consecutive gainβthe longest since 1992; Dow rose 868.71 points (+1.79%) to 49,447.43.
Netflix Posts $12.25B Q1 Revenue; Stock Falls 9% in After-Hours on Leadership Transition
Netflix reported Q1 revenue of $12.25B, beating consensus of $12.18B, though after-hours trading saw a 9% decline following co-founder Reed Hastings's announcement that he will step down from the board in June.
American Express Q1 Results Beat; Revenue $18.91B (+19.5% YoY), EPS $4.28 (+18% YoY)
American Express posted Q1 revenue of $18.91B and adjusted EPS of $4.28, with 60%+ of 3.4 million new cards issued to millennials and Gen Z. The firm also announced an NFL payments partnership.
ASML Raises 2026 Guidance to β¬36-40B; Korean Customers Now Half of Quarterly Revenue
ASML upgraded 2026 guidance from β¬34-39B to β¬36-40B following Q1 results, with Korean customers comprising roughly half of quarterly sales. Samsung and SK Hynix each placed roughly $8 billion EUV orders within one month.
KOSPI Posts +31% in AprilβStrongest Month Since January 1998
South Korea's KOSPI index surged 31% throughout April, posting its strongest monthly return since January 1998. AI and semiconductor optimism overwhelmed Iran-war concerns.
UnitedHealth Q1 EPS $7.23; Raises Full-Year Guidance by $0.50
UnitedHealth posted Q1 revenue of $111.72B and adjusted EPS of $7.23, raising 2026 guidance from $17.75 to $18.25+. Medical benefit ratio of 83.9% beat consensus of 85.5%.
S&P 500 at 7,126.06βFirst Ever Break Above 7,100
S&P 500 gained 1.2% to 7,126.06 on April 17, crossing the 7,100 threshold for the first time in history.
Nasdaq at 24,468.48βLongest Rally Since 1992 at 13 Days
Nasdaq climbed 1.52% to 24,468.48, extending its winning streak to 13 consecutive sessionsβthe longest run in 34 years.
Dow at 49,447.43βFresh Record on 1.79% Jump
Dow surged 868.71 points to a new all-time high. Temporary ceasefire news and Hormuz reopening optimism provided the catalyst.
Nikkei 225 Falls 1.75% to 58,475.90
Japan's Nikkei declined 1.75% on April 17, pressured by yen volatility and export stock weakness.
KOSPI Down 0.55% to 6,191.92βMemory Chip Profit-Taking
KOSPI retreated 0.55% as SK Hynix and Samsung took profits. SK Hynix joins KOSPI's trillion-won club by market cap.
Hang Seng Drops 1.01%βFinal Hour Selloff
Hong Kong's Hang Seng retreated 1.01% late in the session, with tech and property stocks leading declines.
S&P 500 rises 0.57%, up 10% in Aprilβbest month since November 2020
The S&P 500 gained about 40 points to a record. SPY added 0.5% or $3.54. The index has set seven record closes in April alone.
Nikkei down 1.75% to 68,500; KOSPI down 0.55% to 6,191
The Nikkei closed at 58,475.90; Topix fell 1.41% to 3,760.81. KOSPI ended at 6,191.92 with KOSDAQ up 0.61% to 1,170.04. Chinese CSI 300 fell 0.17% and the Hang Seng dropped 1.01%.
Oil: WTI May down 12% to $83.85; Brent June down 9% to $90.38
Following Iran's Hormuz announcement, WTI May futures plunged approximately 12% to $83.85/barrel, and Brent June fell 9% to $90.38. The volatile trading rangeβfrom $70 to $119 during the conflictβhas compressed to the $90 zone.
Bitcoin gains $960 to $75,746
At 8:45 AM ET on April 17, Bitcoin reached $75,746.90, up $960 from the prior day. Intraday, it touched $78,000, the highest level since early February.
Broad risk-asset rally: Credit and gold join the surge
Bloomberg reports ceasefire bets driving an S&P record, Bitcoin up $12,000, and concurrent strength in credit and gold. The dollar weakened against all major currencies.
Korea's KOSPI gains 30% in Aprilβtop global performer
April gains of 30% mark the KOSPI as the best-performing major global index. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the rally. April 17 itself saw profit-taking pressure at the close.
S&P 500 Closes at 7,022, Breaking January's Peak
The S&P 500 gained 0.8% to close at 7,022, surpassing January's previous record. The benchmark has rallied 11% since its March 30 low.
WTI Crude Plunges 9.8% to $85.37 on Iran's 'Full Opening' Signal
Iran's foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz would be 'fully open,' triggering a 9.8% plunge in WTI May futures to $85.37 per barrel. Brent fell 9.1% to $90.38.
Bitcoin at $74,786; Up $9,240 Versus Year Ago
Bitcoin reached $74,786.04 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on April 16, up $499 from the previous close and $9,240 above the same date one year prior.
BlackRock Upgrades Emerging Markets to 'Overweight', Reassesses South Korea
The world's largest asset manager revised its emerging markets stance to overweight after reassessing South Korea, signaling renewed confidence in the region.
KOSPI Opens at 6,149.49, Up 0.95%
South Korea's benchmark index gained 58.10 points (0.95%) to open at 6,149.49, solidifying record territory.
Emerging Market Bonds Rally in Q1, Powered by Brazil
In Q1 emerging market debt, Brazil's currency strength, real yields, and inflation stability led the market charge. Andean bonds emerged as defensive positions.
S&P 500 Closes at Record 7,022.95
The S&P 500 rose 0.80% to close at 7,022.95, achieving the 7,000 milestone for the first time. Nasdaq climbed 1.59% to 24,016.02. Iran peace expectations and strong BofA results drove the move.
Brent Crude at $96.83; Down $3.36 from Prior Close
Brent crude retreated to $96.83 per barrel on April 15 at 9 a.m. ET, down $3.36 from the prior day, as blockade expectations moderated. The EIA raised its 2026 Brent forecast to $96 per barrel.
ASML Q1 Revenue β¬8.8B; Guidance Raised
ASML posted Q1 revenue of β¬8.8 billion (consensus β¬8.5 billion) and net income of β¬2.8 billion (consensus β¬2.5 billion). 2026 revenue guidance raised to β¬36-40 billion. China export controls reduced China exposure; stock fell 6%.
Bitcoin at $74,286.71; Spot ETF Sees 8-Day Inflow Streak
Bitcoin traded at $74,286.71 as of 9:15 a.m. ET on April 15. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $2.1 billion in net inflows over April 14β23, the longest streak since October 2025. April-to-date inflows totaled $2.44 billion, with BlackRock holding 70% market share.
Norway March Oil Export Revenue Hits Record $6.08B
Norway's March crude export revenue reached 57.4 billion krone (approximately $6.08 billion), the highest on record. Hormuz blockade-driven demand for European alternatives lifted both volume and price.
Gold Breaks $4,800; Safe-Haven Demand Sustained
Gold surpassed $4,800 per ounce as of April 20, retreating roughly 10% from the January record of $5,595. Some analysts maintain year-end targets of $6,000.
S&P 500 at 6,967.38, Nasdaq at 23,639.08βAll-Time Highs
The S&P 500 gained 1.18% and the Nasdaq jumped 1.96% to set new records. The Dow rose 0.66% (317.74 points) to 48,535.99.
JPMorgan's $11.6B Trading Haul, EPS of $5.94 Smash Expectations
Q1 revenue of $50.54 billion beat consensus of $49.17 billion; bond trading revenue surged 21% to $7.08 billion. However, full-year net interest income guidance was trimmed to $103 billion from $104.5 billion.
Goldman Sachs Beats With Q1 EPS of $17.55
Released April 13, Goldman's Q1 EPS of $17.55 exceeded consensus of $16.47; revenue came in at $17.23 billion. Record equity trading revenue drove the outperformance.
LVMH Q1 Misses: β¬19.1B Revenue, +1% Organic Growth Disappoints
LVMH reported April 13 revenue of β¬19.1 billion, down 6% reported, up 1% organicβshort of consensus at 1.5%. Middle East conflict weighed 1 percentage point on organic growth.
Hermès Prints 5.6% Growth but Stock Tumbles 8.2% on Miss
HermΓ¨s' April release showed β¬4.1 billion revenue (up 5.6% YoY) but fell short of consensus 7.1% and was hit by Middle East commentary, triggering an 8.2% share decline on announcement.
Silver Retreats to $73.58; Down 22% From January Peak
Silver fell to approximately $73.58 on April 13, a 22% decline from its January high of $95, widening the gold-to-silver ratio to 64x. Gold was essentially flat.
S&P 500 +1.18% to 6,967 on April 14; back in 2026 positive territory
Dow +0.66% to 48,535; Nasdaq +1.96% to 23,639. Trump's "Iran wants a deal" comment triggered the bounce.
Brent hits $103.72; Hormuz blockade effect immediate
Iranian storage collapses to 567K bpd. 25% of global seaborne crude routes paralyzed four months running.
Bitcoin $71,188; ETFs post $2.44B net inflow in April
Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy bought 103,690 BTC (Β±$7.5B) in 90 days, absorbing 0.5% of supply. Spot demand shows cracks.
Gold breaches $4,800; 1Q global demand at record high
Jewelry demand down 23% YoY due to price. Some analysts targeting $5,000.
Goldman 1Q sets tone: $17.55 EPS crushes, equity trading revenue all-time $5.33B
IB fees +48%. JPM and Wells Fargo earnings due the next day.
Kering/Gucci 1Q revenue β¬135M, down 14.3%
Demna's first quarter disappoints. LVMH softens: +1% YoY, below consensus 1.5%.
S&P 500 Closes 6,816.89
April 10: -0.11%, Nasdaq +0.35% at 22,902.89, Dow -0.56% at 47,916.57. NVIDIA and Broadcom led the tape.
Nikkei Opens Soft: -0.88%
April 13 Tokyo open: Nikkei 225 at 56,421.46, -502.65 points (-0.88%).
Kospi Volatile: -2.08% Open, -0.86% Close
Same day: Kospi opened at 5,737.28 (-121.59, -2.08%), recovered to 5,808.62 (-0.86% close). Kosdaq +0.57%.
Brent Crude Volatility: $114 Swings
BOJ downwardly revised 2026 Japan growth forecasts to reflect Hormuz volatility and Brent's $114 shock.
Bitcoin Surges to $70,756; April +12.7%
April 13: BTC breached $70,756, marking April's +12.7% monthly gainβhighest monthly return since April 2025.
SPEM EM ETF Outperforms: +9% YTD
The Invesco Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) outpaced S&P 500 and Russell 3000 ETFs through April 27, posting +9% YTD.
Dow Closes Down 269.23 Points at 47,916.57
On April 10, the Dow fell 0.56%, S&P 500 declined 0.11% to 6,816.89, and Nasdaq rose 0.35% to 22,902.89. For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted +3.6% and +4.7% respectivelyβtheir strongest week since May prior.
Brent at $101.91, WTI at $92.96 (Week)
Following ceasefire extension, Iran's claim of seizing two ships pushed Brent to $101.91 (+3%) and WTI to $92.96, maintaining volatility. April 11's supertanker transit provided short-term relief.
KOSPI Posts 31% April GainβStrongest Month Since 1998
South Korea's KOSPI surged 31% in April on semiconductor and AI euphoria, achieving its strongest monthly performance since January 1998. Record margin loan balances signal mounting short-term overheating risks.
JPMorgan Q1 2026 EPS $5.94 Beats Consensus
(Released April 14) JPMorgan's first-quarter net income totaled $16.5 billion with EPS of $5.94, surpassing consensus of $5.45. Net revenue rose 10% to $50.5 billion, net interest income up 9% to $25.5 billion. 2026 NII guidance lowered to $103 billion.
Sun Pharma Acquires Organon for $11.75 Billion
On April 26, Sun Pharma of India agreed to acquire U.S. pharmaceutical firm Organon for $11.75 billion, a landmark cross-border healthcare M&A that bolstered late-April market momentum.
Hyundai, SK Motors Ex-Dividend Dates: April 17, 24
Samsung Electronics makes first special dividend payment since 2020 on April 17; Kia on April 20; SK Hynix and Hyundai Motor on April 24.
S&P 500 edges down to 6,816.89 (-0.11%); weekly rally fizzles
Ceasefire fractures and CPI shock weigh on Dow and Nasdaq. May record high above 7,200 deferred to April 29-30.
Brent $97.78, up $31 year-over-year
Saudi strike and Hormuz toll push drive April 10 jump of $4.02. BLS reports Q1 crude and refined product prices spiking.
BTC $72,204 / ETH $2,182; ceasefire tremors fuel volatility
BTC +$298 rebound on April 10 morning; ETH down 2.3% on April 9. Hormuz blockade uncertainty caps rally momentum.
Life Biosciences Series B $80 million
Boston biotech locks in Series B for ER-100 epigenetic reprogramming ophthalmology candidates.
Chapter Series E $100 million; Medicare navigation SaaS
Techstars, 8VC, SV Angel, XYZ, Maverick participate. Over-$100-million round for beneficiary-matching platform.
SiFive Series G $400 million, $3.65 billion valuation
Atreides and NVIDIA co-lead. RISC-V IP house enters mega-round tier riding AI and embedded demand.
S&P 500 posts seven-day winning streak, longest since October
Reports that Israel will negotiate directly with Lebanon, combined with oil sliding below $100, boosted risk assets.
Brent spot $124.68 vs June futures $94.75
Despite ceasefire, shipping costs, insurance premiums, and concern over 13 million barrels per day of lost production widened the contango to $30.
WTI -13%, Brent -12.78% on ceasefire announcement
WTI briefly broke below $98, Brent fell to $95.31, then both bounced on fresh Hormuz closure fears.
JPMorgan trading revenue hits record $11.6B
Record equities trading drove Q1 EPS to $5.94. Goldman Sachs also beat expectations on record equities trading.
Tech reshuffles capital; Q1 VC hits $300B record
Four mega-dealsβOpenAI $122B, Anthropic $30B, xAI $20B, Waymo $16Bβaccounted for 65% of global VC.
Spot Bitcoin ETF nets roughly $2B in April
The largest monthly inflow since October, with Morgan Stanley's MSBT launching at 0.14% feeβthe cheapest spot BTC ETF to date.
S&P 500 Extends Seven-Day Win Streak, Longest Since October 2025
Bloomberg reported April 8 that the S&P 500 extended its longest winning streak since October 2025 to seven consecutive sessions.
WTI Crashes Below $95, $100 Barrier Falls as Energy Crisis Fears Fade
WTI closed below $95 as the ceasefire removed worst-case scenarios, shattering the $100 level and reviving some Fed rate-cut bets.
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index Hits Intraday Record, First Since February
Strength in Lam Research, Applied Materials, Western Digital, Micron, Intel, ASML, and KLA pushed the SOX and iShares Semiconductor ETF to new intraday records for the first time since February.
KOSPI Rallies 31% in April Aloneβ¦Strongest Month Since January 1998
CNBC reported late April that the KOSPI looked set to post roughly a 31% monthly surge, the strongest calendar month since January 1998.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Rocket 35% and 60% Respectively in April
AI semiconductor tailwinds fueled South Korea's heavyweights, with SK Hynix up 60% and Samsung up 35% during April, pushing South Korea's market cap above Britain's.
US 1Q Crude and Refined-Product Prices Surge
The EIA reported that first-quarter crude and refined-product prices both spiked, underscoring Middle East conflict's global price transmission.
S&P 500 at 6,616.85, up 0.08% on diplomatic relief
Closed up 0.08%; Hormuz deadline imminent fed bargain-hunting. Nasdaq 22,017.85 (+0.10%); Dow 46,584.46 (-0.18%).
Kospi +31% in Aprilβstrongest month since 1998
Month climbs 30.9%, marking 28-year high. AI and semiconductor optimism overshadow Iran war concerns.
Samsung Electronics +35%, SK Hynix +60% for the month
Memory duo explodes. April 7 single surge of 13.40% drives Kospi to new record 7,384.56.
Korean stocks post world's strongest rally; bubble warnings mount
Bloomberg flags 70%+ annual gains as bubble risk. Foreign capital floods into memory and AI themes.
ETF Trends updates real returns since 2000 dot-com peak
April update on S&P, Dow, Nasdaq real returns since 2000 high, benchmarked against AI cycle gains.
Ethereum ETF inflows hit $11.6 billion YTD
BlackRock's ETHA leads in trading volume; Fidelity's FETH differentiates via self-custody. Cumulative April inflows $11.6 billion.
S&P 500 at 6,616.85, Nasdaq at 22,017.85, Dow at 46,584.46
US markets closed April 6 firmer on Pakistan mediation expectations: S&P 500 +0.08 percent to 6,616.85, Nasdaq +0.10 percent to 22,017.85, while the Dow declined 0.18 percent to 46,584.46.
Brent crude at $111.25; EIA projects April gasoline at $4.30
Brent traded at $111.25/barrel at 9am ET on April 6, having peaked at $128/barrel on April 2. EIA forecasts April US gasoline monthly average of $4.30/gallon.
Neurocrine acquires Soleno for $2.9 billion in cash deal
April 6: Neurocrine Biosciences agreed to acquire Soleno Therapeutics at $53/share in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.9 billion.
Ares Management buys Whitestone REIT for $1.7 billion all-cash
Ares Management agreed to acquire Whitestone REIT at $19/share, totaling approximately $1.7 billion in an all-cash transaction.
Kospi closes May 6 at 7,384.56 with YTD gain of 75.2 percent
Seoul Economic Daily: Kospi finished May 6 at 7,384.56 (intraday high 7,426.60), marking a 75.2 percent YTD rally and pushing market cap to 6,058 trillion wonβrising to eighth globally.
Paramount-WBD: Gulf funds commit $24 billion
Deadline reported April 6 that Paramount secured $24 billion in equity commitments from Saudi PIF, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding for the WBD deal.
WTI peaks at $114.58 April 7; April closes near $100
WTI swung from April 17 low of $85.91 to April 7 peak of $114.58, settling the month near $99.89. Brent fell 3.41% to close at $114.01. S&P 500 ripped 10.4% in Aprilβstrongest monthly gain since November 2020.
Bloomberg Graphics: oil-shock scenarios if Hormuz stays shut
Bloomberg visualized crude outcomes under Hormuz closure. Brent breached $100 for the first time in four years on March 8; the $126 peak came after.
Wikipedia: 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis
Wikipedia logged that Hormuz has been de facto sealed since late February, after US-Israel airstrikes on Iran. The IRGC formally declared closure March 27; by April 21, the IMO reported 20,000 mariners and 2,000 vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf.
OPEC+ raises output 206,000 barrels daily, two months running
OPEC+ agreed April 5 to boost daily crude quota by 206,000 barrels in response to infrastructure damage and shipping snarlsβa second straight monthly increase.
Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and allies: 9.1mb/d shut-in
The EIA estimated GCC-6 cumulative March shut-ins at 7.5mb/d; April expanded to 9.1mb/d. US LNG export neared 18 bcf/d, widening the Henry Hub-Asia spread.
S&P 500 +10.4%, Nasdaq +15.3% in April
S&P 500 gained 10.4%, Nasdaq 15.3%, and Dow 7.1%βall strongest monthly closes since April 2020 and November 2024. Oil volatility and earnings both drove the rally.
S&P 500 rallies +10% in April, best month since November 2020
The S&P 500 gained more than 10% in April, posting its largest monthly gain since November 2020; Nasdaq surged over 15%. Q1 earnings and easing Middle East tensions fueled the move.
Brent re-tests peak near $126.41; late-month spike
Brent crude re-traced its crisis high to $126.41/barrel in late April. Hormuz shipments cratering from 20mb/d to 3.8mb/d fueled a broader refined-products rally.
Tesla quietly discloses $2B AI hardware acquisition
Tesla's Q1 2026 10-Q revealed a deal signed in April to buy an unnamed AI hardware firm for as much as $2B in stock and equity awards, with about $1.8B contingent on performance milestones.
Tesla reclaims global EV crown with 358k Q1 deliveries
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles globally in Q1 2026, overtaking BYD's 310,389. BYD's BEV quarterly deliveries fell 25.5% year-over-year.
S&P Dow Jones releases April index review
S&P Dow Jones Indices published its April 23 review of S&P 500 Scored & Screened indices. Quarterly rebalancing drives global passive-fund repositioning.
Bitcoin ETF inflows surge to $2.44B in Aprilβbest month yet
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs took in $2.44B in April (double March's $1.32B). BlackRock's IBIT captured 70% of inflows, lifting cumulative inflows to $58.5B and AUM to roughly $102B.
Sysco snags Restaurant Depot for $29.1 billion
March 30: Sysco buys Jetro Restaurant Depot parent for ~$29.1B ($21.6B cash + 9.15M shares), securing 166 warehouses across 35 states and 725k+ independent restaurant customers. Targeting $250M synergies.
Intel buys back Apollo's 49% stake in Irish Fab 34 for $14.2B
Intel repurchases Apollo's joint-venture minority stake in Ireland's advanced fab for $14.2B, unwinding 2024 financing pact and rebalancing capex structure.
Eli Lilly acquires Centessa for $6.3B plus $1.5B CVR
Lilly scoops up Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $6.3B upfront plus $1.5B contingent payout, securing OX2R agonist cleminorexton pipeline in sleep-wake disorders.
Hg takes OneStream private at $6.4 billion
Private equity firm Hg buys OneStream alongside General Atlantic and Tidemark for $6.4B, consolidating corporate finance SaaS footprint.
Iran war whipsaws US equities; Brent holds above $100
Nasdaq tumbles into correction territory; Dow joins losses. 10-year yields breach 4.4%; Brent crude bounces above $100/bbl as Hormuz throughput collapses.
OpenAI closes $122B mega-round at $852B valuation
OpenAI caps largest funding round ever at $122B, post-money $852B. Amazon $50B, Nvidia $30B, SoftBank $30B anchor investor block alongside MS, a16z.
U.S. equities mixed April 2: Dow β61.07 points, S&P +0.11%, Nasdaq +0.18%
Dow fell 61.07 points (0.13%) to 46,504.67; S&P 500 rose 0.11% to 6,582.69; Nasdaq gained 0.18% to 21,879.18. Trump's vow to sustain Iran operations lifted crude, driving equity volatility.
April BTC spot ETFs pour in $2.44B, strongest month since October 2025
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged about $1.97β2.44 billion net inflows in April, the strongest institutional bid since October 2025. BTC rallied from $68K to $78K (+11.8%).
SK Hynix Q1 operating profit 37.61 trillion won, +405% year-over-year
SK Hynix Q1 operating profit hit 37.61 trillion won (up 96% QoQ, up 405% YoY), revenue 52.58 trillion won, operating margin 72%. Post-confidential F-1 filing, U.S. ADR listing target for JuneβJuly at $10 billion raise.
Brent March average $103/b; Q2 2026 peak forecast at $115/b
EIA pegged March Brent average at $103/barrel, with peak Q2 2026 forecast around $115/barrel before production shutins ease.
Q1 2026 M&A hits $1.3 trillion; energy, finance, tech, healthcare, infrastructure all expand
Q1 2026 M&A volume exceeded $1.3 trillion across energy, finance, tech, healthcare, and infrastructure. Major deals April 24β27: J&JβAtraverse, Sun PharmaβOrganon ($11.75B), ForviaβApollo ($2.1B).
Fortune flags oil surge April 2 as Iran tensions persist
Fortune reported April 2 that Trump's "continued Iran ops" remarks and crude gains drove equity swings.
Dow +1,000, Nasdaq +3.4% β ceasefire hopes ignite rally
Iranian President's peace signal on March 31 sparked Dow jump over 1,000 and Nasdaq climb of roughly 3.4%.
BTC at $66K, ETH at $2,030 β weak open
BTC opened March 31 at $68,097 and fell to $66,172 by 8:10am EST; ETH opened at $2,139 and dropped to $2,030.
McCormick-Unilever Foods and Eli Lilly mega-deals announced same day
McCormick and Unilever Foods announced a roughly $44.8 billion merger on March 31; Eli Lilly simultaneously announced acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.3 billion.
TSMC advanced nodes booked through 2028
TSMC's 2nm slots claimed entirely by Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm; 3nm running at full capacity since 2023, with some advanced packaging outsourced to ASE and Amkor.
Brent holds $80-82 range; US average gas breaks $4
Brent crude rallied roughly 10-13% to $80-82; US average gasoline surpassed $4 per gallon by end of March.