Sentiment

• The Euro (EUR) is trading sideways against the British Pound (GBP) on Thursday, failing to maintain a sustained move above 0.8660 despite a 0.4% rise over the previous two days. • US stock indexes climbed, with the S&P 500 reaching a record close and erasing its 2014 losses following a global growth forecast upgrade from the World Bank. • Financial shares rallied significantly, driven specifically by strong profit reports from Bank of America Corp.

• US stocks trended higher on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with the S&P 500 rising 0.3% in early trade to approach its previous record high. • The market recovery was driven by easing pressure in the bond market through lower Treasury yields and a series of stronger-than-expected corporate earnings reports. • This shift in sentiment is significant as it marks a potential reversal after the market experienced four consecutive sessions of losses.

• European shares moved higher on Wednesday afternoon, with London’s FTSE 100 up 11 points to 10,335, Paris’s CAC 40 up 23 points to 8,011 and Frankfurt’s DAX up 200 points to 24,508 by 2:50pm. • The rally came after investors welcomed news that the United States had paused an attack on Iran following Tehran’s latest peace proposal, easing some geopolitical pressure. • Dublin’s ISEQ index was a mild laggard, slipping 6 points to 12,598, even as individual Irish names such as Origin Enterprises and FBD Holdings posted gains.

• Asian markets opened lower but mostly recovered on May 13, with MSCI Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rebounding to a 0.3% gain after an initial 1% drop, driven by AI optimism offsetting US inflation and stalled US-Iran talks. • Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.8% to around 62,774, South Korea's Kospi surged 2.6% to a record 7,708-7,844 after falling 3.2% on Samsung Electronics' failed union pay deal, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3% to 8,645. • Brent crude fell 1.4% to $106.32 and US crude to $101.60 amid Middle East tensions, US 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.459%, and dollar held steady at 98.369 against peers.

• Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell 1.1% to 62,174 on Friday after briefly crossing 63,000 for the first time during Thursday trading and closing at a record 62,833, marking a pullback from peak valuations. • SoftBank Group, one of Japan's largest stocks, declined over 5%, signaling profit-taking and weakness in the technology sector that had driven the index higher. • The broader Topix slipped 0.29% on Friday to 3,829.48 but remained up 2.7% for the holiday-shortened week, reflecting mixed sentiment as markets digest geopolitical risks.

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• S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% and the benchmark notched back-to-back record highs as growing speculation that a deal to end the US-Iran war is nearing prompts traders to take on more risk. • The index is on course for a third week of gains exceeding 3%, with the S&P up nearly 8% month to date, marking a stunning reversal following mounting signs of US-Iran deescalation. • The market rally reflects relief over potential resolution of the conflict that has roiled energy markets, with traders increasingly positioning for a ceasefire outcome.

• U.S. stocks closed higher on Monday, March 23, 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 1.4% or 631 points to 46,208.47 amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions. • Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.4% to 21,946.76 led by Albemarle Corporation's 3.5% gain, while S&P 500 gained 1.2% or 74.52 points to 6,581.00 with all 11 sectors positive. • Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Materials (XLB), and Technology (XLK) sectors rose 2.5%, 1.5%, and 1.5% respectively; VIX fell 2.4% to 26.15 on higher trading volume of 27.94 billion shares.

• U.S. secondary-level economic statistics including construction indicators and business activity assessments will provide key signals for market sentiment early in the week. • Investors are preparing for a busier trading week with March flash PMI surveys from major economies, inflation data from Japan and UK, and U.S. consumer indicators due for release. • Market focus has shifted from traditional macro releases to monitoring oil prices, bond yields, and geopolitical developments, with these factors now setting the primary tone for equity sector rotations.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4% or 203.72 points to 46,021.43 on Thursday, marking its lowest close of 2026 and closing below its 200-day moving average, with 22 of 30 components ending in negative territory. • The S&P 500 declined 0.3% to 6,606.49, reflecting its lowest close in four months, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.3% to 22,090.69; all 11 sectors ended in negative territory. • Market weakness was driven by the ongoing Iran conflict and rising Treasury yields, which have climbed amid concerns about energy supply disruptions and inflation, causing traders to abandon bets on interest-rate cuts this year.

Chinese EV maker NIO rose about 4% on March 13, 2026, indicating improving investor sentiment toward global electric vehicle manufacturers amid market turbulence. Gains followed strong trading volume, paralleling US peers like Tesla's stability. This occurs as broader indices like Nasdaq slipped, underscoring EV rotation appeal. Potential next steps involve tariff-related EV supply chain updates.

The US stock market displayed divergent performance on Friday, March 13, 2026, with the S&P 500 falling to 6,658 (down 14 points), the Nasdaq dropping 100 points to 22,211, while the Dow Jones held relatively steady near 46,702 amid rising geopolitical tensions and volatile oil prices. The VIX volatility index remained elevated at 26.49, signaling sustained market uncertainty, and the S&P 500 is tracking its first three-week losing streak in approximately one year, down roughly 1.1% for the week. Institutional investors and hedge funds reduced risk positions ahead of the weekend, with analysts attributing the decline to normal profit-taking after strong gains in AI and semiconductor stocks earlier in 2026. Key market watchers noted that smart money was likely to remain in defensive positions until clarity emerged regarding the Strait of Hormuz and potential ceasefire negotiations.