Stock Market

• 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.

Wall Street has proved incredibly resilient to instability, and while consumer confidence has dipped, shares have soaredIt was a dark Friday for Wall Street on 27 March. Oil prices were climbing and the war with Iran raged on. Markets responded accordingly, with the Dow and Nasdaq entering correction territory, falling more than 10% below their peak, after a month of selloffs.Fast forward seven weeks later to 13 May, and the situation in Iran only looked marginally better. Oil prices were high, and the strait of Hormuz was still closed. Peace talks with Iran seemed tenuous, even with the pressures of high gas prices. Donald Trump on Wednesday said he is “not even a little bit” motivated by Americans’ financial situation to end the war. Continue reading...

• U.S. stocks surged last week with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ reaching new record highs, supported by stronger-than-expected April jobs data and solid tech earnings. • The S&P 500 climbed 10.42% in April to close at a record 7,209.01, while the Nasdaq 100 rallied 15.64% and Dow gained 7.14%, led by mega-cap tech and AI enthusiasm. • Employment growth exceeded forecasts in April with unemployment steady at 4.3%, while Q1 earnings for the Magnificent Seven are projected to grow 45.7% year-over-year.

• Indian equities are expected to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments this week, with markets tracking the ongoing US-Iran situation and fluctuating crude oil prices that could trigger sharp movements in large-cap stocks. • Foreign investors have withdrawn Rs 14,231 crore from Indian equities so far in May amid global macroeconomic uncertainties, signaling reduced confidence in the market amid external headwinds. • Key macroeconomic releases this week include India's April CPI inflation data and US inflation prints (CPI and PPI), which analysts warn could materially shape Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations and global risk sentiment.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 Index jumped nearly 6% after returning from holiday, joining South Korean and Taiwanese equities at record peaks on strong AI-driven tech earnings momentum. • South Korea's KOSPI surged 75% year-to-date, the world's best-performing major stock market, while Samsung joined the $1 trillion company club amid the regional rally. • The AI boom is showing disproportionately in Asia compared to U.S. markets, with Taiwan stocks up 45% and Nikkei up 25% for 2026, outpacing the Nasdaq's 11% gain.

• Indian benchmark indices rallied strongly on May 7, 2026, with Sensex gaining nearly 941 points and Nifty closing above 24,300 for the second consecutive day amid broad-based buying. • Gains were led by banking, auto, metal, and pharma sectors, extending the Nifty's positive momentum despite global uncertainties. • The rally signals renewed investor confidence in domestic growth, supported by easing oil prices and positive corporate sentiment.

• Indian equity indices surged sharply on May 6, 2026, with Sensex gaining 940.73 points (1.22%) to close at 77,958.52 and Nifty rising 298.15 points (1.24%) to 24,330.95, driven by optimism over potential US-Iran peace negotiations and declining crude oil prices. • Banking stocks led the rally following the Union Cabinet's approval of an emergency credit guarantee programme worth Rs 15,800 crore to support businesses facing liquidity stress, with Hero MotoCorp climbing 2.6% and Mahindra & Mahindra advancing 3.1% on strong quarterly earnings. • Broader market indices also gained traction, with Nifty smallcap100 and midcap100 rising 0.9% and 1.1% respectively, though FMCG stocks declined amid easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that had previously pushed Brent crude to $115 per barrel.

• Market experts identify fundamentally strong value stocks as attractive investment opportunities following recent market corrections driven by geopolitical tensions and crude oil price volatility. • Analysts recommend disciplined investors focus on quality companies trading at depressed valuations rather than panic-driven selling, viewing current market weakness as potential entry points for long-term wealth creation. • Selective turnaround stocks and NBFC sector opportunities are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of market recovery, with emphasis on portfolio construction based on fundamental strength rather than technical indicators.

Sarah Breeden predicts ‘adjustment’ due to elevated risk including private credit and highly valued AI stocksBusiness live – latest updatesRecord-high global stock markets do not reflect the risks in the global economy, and will fall back, a deputy governor at the Bank of England has warned.Sarah Breeden, deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank, fears that macroeconomic risks are not fully priced into equity markets. Continue reading...

• The U.S. market advanced 1.7% over the past seven days, continuing its strong performance with a 34% gain over the past year. • Earnings are projected to grow by 16% annually, reflecting broad-based economic expansion across sectors. • The sustained market strength indicates investor confidence in corporate profitability and economic fundamentals heading into late April.

• Stocks surged following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and President Donald Trump's blockade measures, signaling reduced energy supply constraints. • The market reaction reflects investor optimism over improved shipping lanes and normalized energy flows, with financial commentators attributing the gains to Trump's diplomatic efforts. • The reopening of this critical global shipping chokepoint addresses a major source of market volatility tied to Middle East tensions.

• The US500 index rose to 6970 points on April 15, 2026, gaining 0.04% from the previous trading session. • Amazon led gainers with a 2.55% increase, followed by Nvidia at 1.54% and Microsoft at 1.49%, while Chevron fell 2.15%. • Over the past month, the index has climbed 4.03% and is up 29.14% compared to the same period last year, according to contract-for-difference tracking.

• U.S. equity markets closed for Good Friday, but S&P 500 futures fell 0.3%, Dow futures dropped 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures declined 0.4% early Friday after a robust March jobs report showing 178,000 additions and unemployment at 4.3%. • WTI crude surged 11.4% to $111.54 per barrel on Thursday amid fears of prolonged Iran conflict, while Brent crude jumped 7.8% to $109.03, with President Trump vowing continued U.S. attacks without an end timetable. • A BMI report warns extended Middle East conflict threatens infrastructure, disrupts Strait of Hormuz oil flows, and delays postwar recovery, spilling price impacts into later 2026.

• The US stock market has risen 16% over the past year with earnings forecasted to grow 15% annually, though the market remained flat in the past week, creating opportunities for value-focused investors. • Analysis identified 10 top undervalued stocks trading at approximately 49% discounts to their estimated fair values, including Vertex (49.8% discount), Nutanix (49.9% discount), and Roku (49.4% discount) based on cash flow assessments. • Stocks like Uranium Energy (49.2% discount), iRhythm Holdings (48.8% discount), and BillionToOne (49.5% discount) also appeared significantly undervalued, suggesting potential growth opportunities despite broader market volatility.

Elon Musk’s rocket company could go public as early as June, Bloomberg reportsSpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering on the US stock market, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. The IPO is set to be one of the most closely watched and highly valued listings in market history.Elon Musk’s company, which has become a dominant power in both space travel and satellite communications, could potentially seek a valuation upwards of $1.75tn. The confidential filing will give regulators a period to review and discuss the company’s financial disclosures before investors and the public are able to view them. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 rose over 1.5% and Nasdaq climbed nearly 2% Monday after the White House signaled it may abandon America's role in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump telling allies on Truth Social to "build up some delayed courage" and secure the strait themselves. • Trump wrote on social media: "You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," signaling a potential shift toward military disengagement despite ongoing operations. • The mixed messaging coincides with U.S. gas prices crossing $4 per gallon Tuesday—up more than $1 from February 27—marking the first time since 2022's Ukraine crisis energy shock, while Trump's approval rating has dropped to -16.7, a record low for his second term.

• The Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have both entered correction territory, defined as a more-than-10% decline from recent peaks, marking a significant milestone in the market downturn. • Tech stocks have been particularly hard hit, with Amazon dropping 3.1% and Meta Platforms falling 3.5%, as the sector faces pressure from both high valuation concerns and geopolitical tensions related to the Iran war. • The S&P 500 has suffered five consecutive weeks of losses—its longest losing streak in nearly four years—and is now 8.7% below its record set in early 2026.

• U.S. equities declined on March 24, 2026, following a stock recovery on Monday, as the Middle East conflict reignited investor concerns and weighed on market sentiment. • The selloff occurred after initial optimism earlier in the week, with mounting concerns about geopolitical risks affecting trading activity throughout the session. • The market downturn reflects broader volatility as investors grapple with the implications of escalating tensions in the region and their potential impact on oil prices and corporate earnings.

• U.S. equities showed mixed performance in early trading on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with technology stocks under pressure while energy and financial sectors gained ground. • The mixed market action reflects ongoing uncertainty around Federal Reserve rate policy and its impact on different economic sectors, with tech facing particular headwinds. • Technology stocks continued to face selling pressure as investors reassess valuations amid expectations for interest rate changes and macroeconomic conditions.

• H.E.R.C. Products (HERC, PNK) skyrocketed 18,950% during market hours on March 24, 2026, emerging as the top gainer. • The massive surge highlights extreme volatility in penny stocks amid broader market pressures from oil spikes and geopolitical news. • No specific catalysts detailed, but the move underscores speculative trading in small-cap names during uncertain times.

• US stock markets rallied sharply on Monday after President Trump announced a postponement of threatened strikes on Iran's power plants, citing 'very good and productive' talks that eased Middle East escalation fears. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2% (approximately 900 points), while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both jumped around 1.9% and 2.1% respectively, with Russell 2000 futures up 3%. • The rally was triggered by Trump's Truth Social post reversing his earlier 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 7:44 p.m., which had previously sent markets into decline on Friday.

• Micron Technology reported blowout earnings results, while Nvidia issued a stunning outlook for its Blackwell and Rubin AI products, yet the broader market has not responded positively to either announcement. • Morningstar increased Micron's fair value assessment following its earnings beat, and upgraded Nvidia's fair value based on the company's AI product roadmap expansion. • The muted market response to strong tech earnings reflects ongoing concerns about macroeconomic headwinds, including geopolitical risks and Federal Reserve policy decisions that are weighing on investor sentiment.

• US equities poised to open lower on March 23, 2026, following declines in overseas markets after a rough prior week. • Russell 2000 index up over 3% in early indications amid broader market volatility. • New comments from Trump stirring some optimism for potential conflict resolution, though sentiment remains cautious.

Stocks slump in Asia and Europe, gold slides and investors brace for higher oil prices after US president’s threatBusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesGlobal stock markets dropped sharply on Monday after Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless the strait of Hormuz is opened.Stock markets in Asia and Europe slumped at the start of the week. Japan’s Nikkei share index dropping by 3.4%, China’s CSI 300 down 2.8%, and the South Korean Kospi fell 6.5%. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 fell 1.51% to close at 6,506.48, the Nasdaq dropped 2.01% to 21,647.61, and the Dow declined 0.96% to 45,577.47 on Friday, marking the fourth consecutive weekly loss. • Iran conflict pushed oil prices higher, intensifying inflation expectations and prompting investors to reassess Federal Reserve rate-cut bets; rate futures now suggest potential rate increases rather than cuts by 2026. • Major tech stocks suffered significant losses, with Nvidia and Tesla falling over 3%, while Super Micro Computer plunged 33% following smuggling charge reports linked to AI technology exports.

Markets seem particularly attuned to increasing oil prices, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down 1.5% and 2% respectivelyUS stock markets dropped again on Friday, capping off a fourth week of market turbulence as investors worried about the US-Israel war on Iran and its widespread impact on global oil prices.The Dow lost over 400 points on Friday, with the S&P 500 slipping 1.5% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq down 2%. Continue reading...

• 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.