Surges

• Allison Transmission posted an 84% revenue surge in Q1 2026, primarily fueled by a recent acquisition amid macroeconomic uncertainty. • The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance issued on February 23, factoring in Q1 results and geopolitical risks. • This performance underscores acquisition-driven growth in the transmission sector, with implications for industrial suppliers.

Plaid Cymru set to take power in Wales and SNP to retain it in Scotland, but Reform made big gains in both nationsElection 2026 live: latest news updatesFull results from England, Scotland and WalesThe polls had been terrible, the predictions dire and even one of his predecessors as Labour leader, Ed Miliband, had reportedly told Keir Starmer he should set a timetable for his resignation if the results were as bad as they looked.But for the prime minister, as polling stations closed in Wales, Scotland and many parts of England, there would be no consideration of such a course. “To all the Labour members and volunteers who have supported local campaigns across the country: thank you,” he posted on X late on Thursday. “Together we will build a stronger and fairer Britain.” Continue reading...

• 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.

• U.S. startups in applied enterprise AI secured over $500 million in funding rounds announced May 4, 2026, focusing on workflow automation and analytics. • Key deals include a $120M Series B for an AI platform optimizing supply chains and $80M for defense-oriented machine learning tools. • Surge underscores investor shift toward practical AI deployments, with returns projected at 5x in three years amid 25% market growth.

• Singapore's real estate investment volume jumped 364% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to CBRE data released today. • The surge reflects strong investor confidence amid regional economic recovery, with total transactions reaching S$4.2 billion across office, retail, and industrial sectors. • This growth underscores Singapore's role as a safe-haven market in Southeast Asia, potentially attracting more foreign capital amid global uncertainties.

• US equities closed higher with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% and Nasdaq 100 up 0.8% to new records, while the Dow remained flat. • Apple shares gained more than 5% after reporting strong earnings driven by robust iPhone sales and performance in China. • The rally came amid a pullback in oil prices and positive corporate earnings momentum.

• The United States national debt has reached $38,967,833,861,543 as of May 1, 2026, driven by continued spending by the White House and Congress. • The debt is on track to double over the next three decades amid fiscal pressures and ongoing government expenditures. • This trajectory reflects a critical macroeconomic challenge as American taxpayers face increasing obligations tied to the nation's long-term fiscal sustainability.

• Anthropic's valuation skyrocketed from $61B to $900B in approximately 14 months, reflecting unprecedented investor interest in the AI company's capabilities and growth trajectory. • The valuation surge is driven by strong revenue performance and investor confidence in Anthropic's AI models and research, positioning it as a formidable competitor to OpenAI in the generative AI market. • The rapid ascent demonstrates the intensifying capital competition in frontier AI development, with major investors backing multiple AI startups to hedge bets on the technology's transformative potential.

• Backers introduced over three dozen bills in statehouses to expand raw milk access, despite public health warnings and at least five outbreaks in the past year. • Current E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheddar cheese from California-based Raw Farm has sickened nine people, half children under 5, with one developing lifelong kidney complications. • Public health officials warn unpasteurized milk harbors risky germs, alarming experts as more states legalize sales.

Four years after president’s pledge, his would-be successors are divided on how to tackle rising guerrilla attacksThe landmark 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the largest insurgent army in Latin America succeeded in some ways: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) agreed to lay down their weapons, and the violence that had racked the country was substantially reduced.But the deal alone could not end the decades-long armed conflict for good. Subsequent administrations slow-walked the implementation of the settlement, which was rejected by Farc dissidents and other rebel factions. Continue reading...

• Delta Air Lines reported first-quarter net income of $1.8 billion, up 22% year-over-year, benefiting from strong leisure and business travel demand with average fares rising 8% despite lower capacity growth across the industry. • CEO Ed Bastian stated that forward bookings through summer 2026 indicate "resilient demand," with premium cabin bookings up 15%, offsetting concerns about potential economic slowdown and suggesting corporate travel spending remains solid. • The strong results bolstered airline sector sentiment, lifting Southwest Airlines and United Airlines stocks by 2.4% and 1.9% respectively on optimism about sustained pricing power and margin expansion through peak summer travel season.

• U.S. stock futures fell 0.46% Monday morning as Iran declined to engage in peace talks with the Trump administration, escalating geopolitical tensions. • Oil prices climbed to $95 per barrel, up from $86 three days prior, reflecting market concerns over potential supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. • Despite the geopolitical headwinds, markets have shown resilience with strong corporate earnings growth at 17% annually offsetting valuation pressures.

• Brent crude oil settled 4.7% higher at $99.39 per barrel on April 16 amid caution over Iran war. • Prices have risen from $70 pre-war to peaks near $119 due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions. • The climb tempers market optimism, highlighting persistent energy supply risks.

• Influenza cases are peaking for a second time this season, with at least 41 states reporting high or very high flu activity. • This surge coincides with ongoing respiratory illness pressures documented by health authorities. • Increased hospitalizations strain healthcare systems, particularly affecting unvaccinated children and adults.

Demand at online marketplaces could settle at a new, higher normal, with the crisis leaving consumers ‘scarred’Car buyers’ interest in electric cars has surged across Europe since the start of the war in Iran, as the rising cost of petrol highlights the cheaper power available from a plug.Online marketplaces in the UK, Germany, France and Spain reported huge increases in inquiries about electric vehicles since the start of the conflict in February. Continue reading...

• Tesla shares rose 7.2% Thursday after the company announced successful deployment of advanced autonomous driving features in two additional states, bringing the full self-driving beta program to 15 states nationwide. • Multiple Wall Street analysts upgraded Tesla's stock, raising average price targets by 12-15%, citing accelerated path to profitability and potential for robotaxi revenue streams beginning in late 2026. • The autonomous driving announcement offset broader semiconductor sector weakness, with Tesla demonstrating differentiation from legacy automakers lacking comparable self-driving capabilities.

• 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.

Chris Bowen says move aimed at accessing fuel imports from markets with lower burning temperatures, including the US, Canada and EuropeGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s diesel standards have been temporarily lowered as the federal government rushes to shore up fuel supply, with hundreds of service stations running empty and warnings deliveries from key Asian suppliers could slow as soon as early April.The energy minister, Chris Bowen, said on Tuesday the government had lowered the technical threshold for diesel, known as the flashpoint, in order to access supply from imports from markets with marginally lower burning temperatures, including the US, Canada and Europe. Continue reading...

• 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.

Online searches for electric and hybrid cars increase as war-linked fuel prices hit highest levels in nearly three yearsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxUS car buyers are showing a surge in interest in electric vehicles after Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran helped cause a major jump in gasoline prices.The cost to refuel a vehicle in the US is at its highest level in nearly three years, with the average national price of gas standing at $3.90 a gallon on Friday. Continue reading...

• The US national debt exceeded $39 trillion on Wednesday, a record milestone reached just weeks into the US-Israeli war in Iran, driven by competing priorities including tax cuts, defense spending, and immigration enforcement. • White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett estimated the Iran war has cost more than $12 billion so far, with the federal debt having grown from $37 trillion two months ago to $38 trillion five months ago, now reaching $39 trillion. • The Government Accountability Office warns rising debt increases borrowing costs for mortgages and cars, reduces business investment and wages, and makes goods and services more expensive for Americans.

Comfort Systems USA shares posted a 15% weekly gain ending March 13, 2026, forming an outside week upside reversal amid market weakness. The industrial firm's performance stands out as major indexes like the S&P 500 fell 0.6% and Nasdaq dropped 0.9% on Friday due to oil-driven volatility. This breakout signals potential in construction and HVAC sectors despite broader economic caution. Investors eye continued strength if support levels hold into next week.

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville posted that 'the enemy is inside our gates' juxtaposing a NYC iftar photo with 9/11 images, doubling down amid attacks in Michigan and Virginia. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged Rep. Ogles' strong language on Sharia law but called the concern 'serious' without rebuke. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Tuberville's post as 'mindless hate' and un-American. The Michigan attacker, a naturalized Lebanese citizen who lost four family members in an Israeli airstrike, rammed Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.

MARA Holdings jumped more than 12% on March 13, 2026, driven by renewed interest in digital asset mining amid broader market volatility. Crypto-related firms outperformed as AI, semiconductors, and EV stocks showed mixed resilience, with Intel up 1.7% on chip production optimism and NIO rising 4%. This momentum underscores investor rotation toward high-growth sectors despite S&P 500's weekly 1.1% decline. Traders eye sustained crypto interest if oil stabilizes over the weekend.

US equity futures fell sharply on March 13, 2026, extending a market slide amid Brent oil prices surpassing $100 a barrel due to escalating tensions from the US-Israel war with Iran. Chevron shares rose 30% year-to-date while ConocoPhillips dipped slightly in premarket trading, reflecting energy sector volatility. The rally in oil prices deepened fears of a global inflation spike, with experts warning it poses the biggest risk to macro sentiment. Markets anticipate further volatility as the Trump administration advances second-round tariff investigations on 60 economies.

Brent crude oil has climbed above $100 per barrel, intensifying global inflation concerns and triggering a selloff in U.S. equity futures on March 13, 2026. The surge reflects escalating geopolitical tensions related to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which experts warn could dampen market sentiment and economic growth. Oil majors Chevron and ConocoPhillips are seeing significant gains, with Chevron up 30% year-to-date, as energy stocks benefit from higher crude prices. The broader market remains volatile as investors assess the macroeconomic implications of sustained elevated oil prices.