US equities ended Friday on a mixed note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite extending their record-setting run, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged as investors weighed strong earnings against geopolitical uncertainty and easing oil prices. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to a fresh intraday and closing high, while the Nasdaq Composite gained
Global markets are entering May 2026 under a cloud of uncertainty, with multiple macro and geopolitical triggers converging at once. From surging oil prices and the ongoing Middle East conflict to key economic data and central bank decisions, traders are facing a complex environment. A mix of risk and resilience is shaping sentiment. While equities
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell has capped his eight-year tenure with one of the most contentious policy moments in decades, underscoring deep divisions within the central bank. Besides, his decision to remain on the Federal Reserve Board after his chairmanship ends in May adds a new layer of complexity to an already delicate transition,
The Federal Reserve kept borrowing costs unchanged on Wednesday, holding the federal funds rate in the 3.50% to 3.75% range for a third straight meeting. But this was no routine pause. The vote was the most divided since 1992, with four officials dissenting, and that split sent a clear message to investors: the Fed is
The software sell-off of early 2026 did not happen because earnings suddenly fell apart. It happened because investors started to wonder whether AI could make big chunks of traditional SaaS less valuable, or even obsolete. The rout wiped out $830 billion in market value across software and services stocks in just six trading days after
Meta’s first-quarter numbers looked strong on paper: revenue rose 33% to $56.3 billion, and the company kept its operating margin at 41%. But the stock still fell roughly 7% in extended trading after Meta lifted its 2026 capex plan to $125 billion to $145 billion. The reason was simple: Wall Street likes growth, but it
The S&P 500 closed April at a fresh record high, capping its strongest monthly performance in over three years, as investors weighed escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against robust corporate earnings and signs of continued economic resilience in the United States. The benchmark index rose 1% on Thursday, taking its gains for the
With the rise of the digital asset ecosystem, talking about speculation has quickly transitioned to how it can be used in the real world. In both developing nations and mature economies, industries are increasingly seeking ways to utilize crypto to ease payments, cut costs and grow their international footprint. Recent trends in the industry showcase
US stock index futures edged modestly higher on Friday as investors absorbed a strong earnings beat from Apple and basked in the afterglow of April’s exceptional rally, which handed the S&P 500 its best monthly performance in more than five years. The gains were tempered, however, by a sharp sell-off in Roblox after a sweeping
The British pound held close to a 10-week high against the US dollar on Friday. Traders assessed a week dominated by central bank decisions. The Bank of England (BoE) kept interest rates unchanged. It also warned about inflation risks linked to the Iran war. Sterling was little changed at $1.3606. It was slightly weaker against