• L'indice Nifty Microcap 250 a bondi de 16,2 % en avril 2026, devançant les midcaps avec 10,7 % et les smallcaps avec 13,4 % de gains.
• Le Nifty 50 a progressé de 5,8 % et le Nifty 100 a augmenté de 7 %, portés par la dynamique des prix malgré les risques macroéconomiques et les sorties de capitaux des FII.
• Le rallye s'est déconnecté des fondamentaux, avec des bénéfices stables mais une faiblesse persistante de la monnaie et des pressions mondiales.
• FOX Business Network (FBN) a surpassé CNBC en termes d'audience sur la journée de travail, les heures de marché et la programmation de l'ensemble de la journée en avril 2026, selon les données de Nielsen Media Research publiées le 29 avril.
• Les émissions phares de FBN, « Varney & Co. » et « Kudlow », ont maintenu leurs positions en tant que deux meilleurs programmes d'affaires à la télévision, atteignant respectivement leurs 50e et 55e mois consécutifs de dépassement de leurs homologues de CNBC.
• Cette victoire d'audience souligne la domination compétitive de FOX Business sur le marché de l'information financière durant une période marquée par d'importantes annonces de politique de la Réserve fédérale et par la volatilité du marché.
• The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined to 98.3 in April 2026, down 4.2 points from March, marking the steepest monthly drop since July 2025 as Americans express renewed concern about inflation and job security.
• Consumers' expectations for future economic conditions weakened notably, with the forward-looking component falling 6.8 points as respondents cited concerns about rising prices for groceries, gasoline, and housing costs.
• The decline suggests potential headwinds for Q2 consumer spending and retail sales, pressuring guidance from discretionary retailers and restaurant operators ahead of earnings season.
• The average 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage rate in the US reached 6.218%, up 3 basis points from the prior day amid fluctuating bond yields.
• 15-year fixed-rate averaged 5.450%, down 4 basis points, while jumbo 30-year hit 6.538%; week-over-week, 30-year conventional fell 6 basis points to 6.218% from 6.279%.
• Rates reflect Optimal Blue data for loans locked as of April 20, signaling modest stabilization despite economic pressures from high energy prices.
• Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, testifies in his first Senate Banking Committee hearing at 1400 GMT on April 21, 2026, facing questions on Fed independence amid Trump's pressure to cut rates.
• Warsh advocates reducing the Fed's balance sheet, conflicting with recent resumption of regular Treasury purchases in December 2025.
• The hearing addresses hot topics like Fed autonomy and potential rate cuts, with USD firming after Monday's rally rejection.
• U.S. 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage averaged 6.187% on April 21, 2026, down 4 basis points from prior day per Optimal Blue data.
• 15-year fixed-rate fell to 5.486%, down 5 basis points, with week-over-week drops up to 31 basis points for some types.
• Rates reflect FOMC holding federal funds at 3.50%-3.75% in March, with next meeting April 28-29 potentially influencing trends.
• The average 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage rate in the US dropped to 6.230%, down 2 basis points from the prior day and 5 basis points from a week ago.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.535%, declining 5 basis points daily and 2 basis points weekly, per Optimal Blue data reflecting loans locked as of April 16.
• Jumbo 30-year rates fell to 6.528% (down 3 basis points weekly), FHA to 6.060% (down 1), VA to 5.833% (down 5), and USDA to 5.863% (down 10 basis points).
Seville could see 34C this week and parts of Brazil could hit high 30s, while storms forecast in southern AfricaOver the course of this week, temperatures in Spain are expected to soar well above the seasonal average. Daytime temperatures could reach about 30C in Madrid on Tuesday, 10C above the norm, while Seville may see 34C, about 9C above its late April average. An area of low pressure situated out in the Atlantic will allow for a south-westerly flow, introducing warm air from north Africa. In addition to this heat, a notable dust plume is expected to travel northwards from the Sahara, covering the skies above Iberia and south-western France, which may lead to some particularly orange or red skies at sunrise and sunset.In Brazil, high temperatures are forecast for the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina over the next few days, eventually spreading into Minas Gerais. Here, daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s Celsius later in the week, about 5-10C above the seasonal average. Continue reading...
• Global financial markets experienced significant volatility during April 12-18, 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions impacting commodity prices.
• Oil prices surged higher amid international tensions, affecting energy stocks and broader market sentiment across equities and bonds.
• India's retail investor base continues reshaping capital markets, contributing to shifts in the financial landscape alongside global macroeconomic pressures.
• A fragile US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, 2026, with diplomatic talks stalled and tensions escalating over competing demands and military posturing.
• Iran's spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the US position as unrealistic, while Tehran condemned Washington's naval blockade as provocative and a potential trigger for ceasefire violations.
• Pakistan continues mediating indirect talks between the two nations, though no date has been set for the next round of negotiations as fears of renewed escalation mount.
