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
Brent crude oil price rose for two consecutive weeks, reaching its highest point since March 16 this year. It ended the week at $109 as investors reflected on the ongoing developments in the Middle East, where the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran continued. Donald Trump reviewing the Iran proposal Brent crude oil
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
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD reported another monthly decline in vehicle sales, marking its longest-ever downturn as demand in its home market remains subdued. BYD’s vehicle sales fell 15.5% year-on-year in April, extending the streak to eight consecutive months of decline. The figures were based on Reuters calculations using data from a Weibo post by
Shares of Reddit surged in premarket trading on Friday after the company reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results and issued an upbeat revenue forecast, highlighting growing returns from its artificial intelligence-driven advertising strategy. The stock rose about 12% ahead of the open, extending gains after climbing 6.3% in after-hours trading following the earnings release. Despite the rally,
US stocks gained on Friday, building on the momentum from one of the strongest monthly rallies in years, as investor optimism around corporate earnings outweighed lingering concerns about geopolitical tensions and oil market volatility. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 180 points, or 0.36%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.54% and the Nasdaq Composite
Exxon Mobil reported a mixed performance for the first quarter of 2026. While the company’s revenue exceeded expectations, its adjusted earnings per share were below forecasts. This shortfall was primarily attributed to substantial one-off charges and timing issues related to derivatives. The stock fell 1.6% on Friday after the results came out. The strong underlying
Stellar (XLM) has been moving through a weak stretch in the market, extending its decline over the past seven days even as the network continues to push new development initiatives. The token is currently trading around $0.159, showing only mild short-term recovery attempts after slipping under key technical levels. Despite occasional intraday rebounds, the broader