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Oil prices stabilized after Monday’s sharp selloff, with updated live quotes showing نفت برنت near $95.49 per barrel and WTI crude near $91.29 per barrel. Brent’s latest daily range was around $94.46–$95.52, while WTI traded in a range of roughly $90.37–$91.59.

The move follows a steep decline triggered by reports that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement in principle to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, Brent dropped below $100 and traded as low as the mid-$90s, while WTI fell toward the low-$90 area as traders removed part of the geopolitical supply-risk premium.

The fall in oil prices helped ease inflation concerns and reduced expectations that central banks may need to raise interest rates aggressively. That supported bond prices and pushed Eurozone yields lower, as lower oil prices reduce pressure on inflation-sensitive monetary policy expectations.

Importance Level: High

Overall Market Sentiment:

Brent Oil: Sell / Neutral-to-Sell — the break below $100 remains bearish, even though prices are stabilizing near $95.

WTI Oil: Neutral-to-Sell — WTI has recovered slightly above $91, but the broader short-term pressure remains.

Global Bonds: Neutral-to-Buy — lower oil prices reduce inflation fear and support bond prices.

Equities: Neutral-to-Buy — falling oil helps risk appetite by easing inflation and margin-pressure concerns.

Possible Market Effect:

If Brent stays below $100 and WTI remains below $93, markets may continue pricing lower energy inflation risk. But if U.S.–Iran talks stall or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is delayed, oil could quickly rebound as supply-risk premium returns.

Source: Investing.com, Reuters, Wall Street Journal

Q&A

What is the updated Brent oil price?

The latest live quote shows نفت برنت near $95.49 per barrel.

What is the updated WTI crude oil price?

The latest live quote shows WTI crude near $91.29 per barrel.

Is oil currently Buy or Sell?

Oil remains Sell / Neutral-to-Sell because the geopolitical risk premium has fallen after U.S.–Iran peace-deal hopes, although prices are now stabilizing after the sharp drop.

European equities advanced as markets priced in stronger hopes for a possible U.S.–Iran peace deal and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The STOXX 600 closed at 631.63, its highest level in more than two months, recovering all losses triggered by the Iran-war shock. In the broader regional move, France’s CAC 40 rose 1.1%, Germany’s DAX gained 1.0%, and risk appetite improved as oil prices fell sharply.

The strongest sector support came from banks and airlines. Banking stocks gained around 2%, while airlines benefited from the sharp drop in نفت برنت, which fell close to $98 per barrel as traders reduced the geopolitical supply-risk premium. Trading volumes were lighter because U.S. and UK markets were closed for holidays.

Germany’s Delivery Hero also became a major single-stock mover, jumping nearly 12% after reports that Uber was considering a higher takeover bid. Reuters reported that the stock reached €37.85, its highest level since November 2024, after Uber’s earlier €33-per-share offer was rejected and a possible €38-per-share offer was discussed.

Importance Level: High

Overall Market Sentiment:

European Equities: Buy — peace-deal optimism, lower oil prices, and AI-linked strength support the rally.

STOXX 600: Buy — the index recovered all Iran-war losses and reached a more than two-month high.

DAX / CAC 40: Buy — Germany and France joined the broader risk rally.

Delivery Hero: Buy / Speculative Buy — takeover speculation is strongly supportive, but volatility risk is high.

Oil: Sell — lower geopolitical risk premium continues to pressure crude prices.

Possible Market Effect:

If U.S.–Iran negotiations continue to progress and oil stays below recent highs, European stocks may extend gains, especially banks, airlines, technology, and cyclical names. However, if talks stall or the Hormuz risk returns, Europe remains vulnerable because of its sensitivity to energy prices and inflation expectations.

Source: Reuters, Associated Press

Q&A

Did European stocks recover their Iran-war losses?

Yes. The STOXX 600 closed at 631.63, recovering the losses linked to the Iran-war shock.

Why did European stocks rise?

European stocks rose because markets priced in stronger hopes for a U.S.–Iran peace deal, lower oil prices, and continued AI-linked momentum.

Is the European stock market currently Buy or Sell?

The current condition is Buy, as long as oil remains under pressure and diplomatic momentum continues.

Chinese semiconductor stocks rallied after Huawei unveiled a new chip-design path aimed at improving advanced chip performance despite U.S. sanctions. Huawei said its Tau Scaling Law focuses on improving system efficiency and reducing signal/data movement time, rather than relying only on shrinking transistor size. The company expects high-end chips based on this method to reach transistor density equivalent to 1.4-nanometre processes by 2031.

Investor reaction was strong across China’s chip sector. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) surged more than 17%, Cambricon Technologies jumped nearly 10%, and Piotech gained more than 18%. Hwatsing Technology rose 8%, Shenzhen Fastprint Circuit Tech added 6%, and Qingdao Yunlu Advanced Materials Technology climbed 9%.

Huawei also introduced a new LogicFolding architecture, expected to appear in upcoming Kirin chips and Ascend AI chips. The company says the architecture can improve performance by shortening internal chip wiring and improving efficiency. This matters because Chinese AI developers, including DeepSeek, are increasingly looking for domestic alternatives to NVIDIA chips after tighter U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI processors.

Importance Level: High

Overall Market Sentiment:

Chinese Semiconductor Stocks: Buy — Huawei’s announcement triggered strong momentum across the domestic chip supply chain.

SMIC: Buy — the stock led the rally with a move of more than 17%.

China Tech / AI Hardware: Neutral-to-Buy — domestic substitution remains a strong investment theme.

NVIDIA: Neutral-to-Sell for China exposure — tighter export restrictions and stronger local alternatives may reduce China-related upside.

Possible Market Effect:

If Huawei’s chip-design roadmap gains credibility, Chinese semiconductor names could continue attracting policy-driven and self-sufficiency investment flows. However, the rally is highly sensitive to execution risk, because Huawei’s 1.4nm-equivalent target is based on architecture and density improvements, not proven conventional manufacturing at that node.

Source: Huawei, Reuters, Investing.com

Q&A

Why did Chinese chipmaking stocks rally?

Chinese chip stocks rallied because Huawei announced a new chip-design approach that raised optimism about China’s ability to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor technology.

Is Huawei’s breakthrough the same as producing real 1.4nm chips today?

No. Huawei is targeting 1.4nm-equivalent transistor density by 2031, mainly through design and architecture improvements, not by proving immediate conventional 1.4nm manufacturing.

Is the Chinese semiconductor sector in Buy or Sell condition?

The current market condition is Buy, because momentum is strong and investors are pricing stronger domestic substitution demand.

Global markets reacted positively to renewed hopes for a U.S.–Iran agreement, with Middle East equities rising and oil prices falling sharply. Most Gulf stock markets that were open on Sunday advanced, while Qatar’s main index jumped 3.2%, Bahrain rose 1.7%, Kuwait gained 2%, and Egypt’s EGX30 added 1.5% as geopolitical risk premium eased.

Oil prices moved lower as traders priced in the possibility that a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore more normal energy flows. Brent crude fell 4.55% to $98.83 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped 4.73% to $92.03 per barrel, reaching a two-week low. The Strait of Hormuz is critical because it normally handles around 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption and a major share of global LNG trade.

Wall Street sentiment also improved. U.S. stock futures rose on Sunday evening, with Dow futures up around 0.5%, S&P 500 futures up 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.7%, helped by peace-deal optimism and continued strength in the AI trade. The S&P 500 also posted its eighth consecutive weekly gain on Friday, its longest winning streak since a nine-week run ended in December 2023.

Importance Level: High

Overall Market Sentiment:

Oil: Sell — peace-deal hopes and possible Hormuz reopening are pressuring crude prices.

Wall Street / S&P 500: Buy — lower oil prices, lower inflation fear, and AI momentum support risk appetite.

Middle East Equities: Buy — regional stocks are benefiting directly from reduced geopolitical risk.

USD: Sell — stronger risk appetite and lower oil-risk premium are weighing on safe-haven dollar demand.

Gold: Neutral-to-Buy — peace hopes reduce some safe-haven demand, but uncertainty around the final agreement still supports gold.

Possible Market Effect:

If the U.S.–Iran deal becomes official and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, oil could face more downside while global equities may extend gains. However, if negotiations slow again or the blockade remains in place, oil risk premium could return quickly and pressure risk assets.

Source: Reuters, Barron’s, U.S. Energy Information Administration

Q&A

Why did oil prices fall after Trump’s comments on Iran?

Oil prices fell because markets priced in a higher chance of a U.S.–Iran deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce supply-disruption risk.

Are Wall Street futures reacting positively to the Iran deal hopes?

Yes. Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 futures all rose on Sunday evening as lower oil prices and peace hopes improved risk appetite.

Is the current market reaction Buy or Sell for equities?

For equities, the current reaction is Buy, especially for Wall Street and Middle East markets, as long as oil continues to fall and diplomatic momentum remains alive.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday, extending Wall Street’s strongest weekly winning streak in nearly two and a half years. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 7,473.47, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2% to 26,343.97, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6% to a record close of 50,579.70. The Dow also touched a fresh intraday record for the first time since February 10.

For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, the Nasdaq rose 0.5%, and the Dow outperformed with a 2.1% advance. The S&P 500 posted its eighth consecutive weekly gain, its longest winning streak since late 2023, while broader Wall Street has gained around 17% during the eight-week rally.

The week was shaped by signs of progress in U.S.-Iran talks, easing oil prices, lower Treasury yields, and major earnings updates from Nvidia and large retailers. Stronger corporate earnings helped offset concerns about inflation and rate-hike risk, while Middle East diplomacy supported late-week risk sentiment.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The close is positive for U.S. equities, especially if lower yields and lower oil prices continue to reduce inflation pressure. However, the rally remains vulnerable to renewed oil spikes, higher bond yields, or negative U.S.-Iran headlines.

Overall Market Sentiment: Buy / Positive for U.S. equities, with valuation and geopolitical risk still active.

Q&A

Did the S&P 500 extend its weekly winning streak? Yes. The S&P 500 posted its eighth straight weekly gain.

Which U.S. index performed best for the week? The Dow Jones led with a 2.1% weekly gain.

What was the Dow’s updated closing level? The Dow closed at a record 50,579.70.

Why did Wall Street rise this week? Lower yields, lower oil prices, U.S.-Iran diplomacy hopes, and strong earnings supported risk appetite.

Source: Reuters, AP, Investing.com

U.S. stock movers were mixed, with investors rewarding strong software earnings but selling Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) despite positive booking data and confirmation of the Grand Theft Auto VI launch schedule.

Take-Two Interactive Software ended 4.4% lower, even after quarterly net bookings beat expectations and the company reaffirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. The title is expected to become a major revenue driver, with CEO Strauss Zelnick saying it should help Take-Two reach new record levels of operating performance in fiscal 2027. However, the negative stock reaction suggests investors may have taken profits or focused on valuation and execution risk ahead of the launch.

Workday (WDAY) Class A shares rose 5.2% after first-quarter results beat expectations. The company’s upbeat guidance helped improve sentiment toward software stocks, which have recently faced pressure from competition linked to advanced AI models.

Zoom Communications (ZM) climbed 9.2% after delivering strong earnings and guidance, showing that investors are still willing to reward software names with credible growth and profitability signals.

Estee Lauder (EL) jumped 12% after the U.S. cosmetics giant and Spanish beauty brand Puig ended talks over a possible tie-up that would have created one of the world’s largest beauty companies.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The session shows that earnings quality and guidance remain key drivers for individual stocks. Zoom, Workday, and Estee Lauder received strong positive reactions, while Take-Two showed that even good news around a major product launch may not be enough if investors are already positioned for upside.

Overall Market Sentiment: Neutral-to-Sell for TTWO / Buy for ZM, WDAY, and EL

Q&A

Why did Take-Two fall despite reaffirming GTA VI’s launch date? Take-Two fell 4.4%, likely because investors focused on valuation, profit-taking, or execution risk despite the confirmed November 19, 2026, launch.

Which stock had the strongest move? Estee Lauder led the group with a 12% gain.

Why did Zoom shares rise? Zoom climbed 9.2% after strong earnings and guidance.

Why did Workday gain? Workday rose 5.2% after first-quarter results beat expectations and guidance was viewed positively.

Source: Company earnings reports, market data

Wall Street showed little reaction to Kevin Warsh being sworn in as the new Federal Reserve Chair on Friday. Instead, investors remained focused on the broader weekly advance in stocks, supported by falling Treasury yields and lower oil prices.

The muted market response suggests traders are not yet treating Warsh’s arrival as an immediate policy shock. For now, the bigger market driver remains the shift in macro conditions: lower yields help equity valuations, while lower oil prices reduce inflation pressure and ease concerns about aggressive Fed tightening.

Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, noted that Warsh’s first day was already smoother for stocks than the first day under Janet Yellen or Jerome Powell, when equities fell sharply.

Importance Level: Medium

Possible Market Effect: The calm reaction is positive for U.S. equity sentiment because it reduces immediate concern about Fed leadership transition risk. If yields and oil continue to fall, stocks may remain supported, especially growth and technology shares.

Overall Market Sentiment: Neutral-to-Buy for U.S. equities / Neutral for USD

Q&A

Did Wall Street react strongly to Kevin Warsh’s swearing-in? No. Stocks showed little direct reaction to Warsh’s first day as Fed Chair.

What drove Wall Street more than the Fed leadership change? Falling yields and lower oil prices were the main supportive factors for stocks.

Why are lower oil prices positive for Wall Street? Lower oil prices reduce inflation pressure and can lower the risk of aggressive Fed rate hikes.

Is Kevin Warsh’s first day seen as market-friendly? So far, yes. The market reaction was calm compared with the first trading days under Yellen and Powell.

Source: Carson Group / X, market data

Asian equities traded higher on Friday, supported by renewed buying in chipmakers after Nvidia’s strong outlook reinforced confidence that AI infrastructure spending remains resilient. The strongest move came from Japan, where the Nikkei 225 jumped more than 2.5% and hovered near record highs, putting the index on track for an almost 3% weekly gain. The broader TOPIX rose nearly 1%.

Technology investor SoftBank Group extended sharp gains as investors priced optimism around a potential OpenAI IPO and stronger demand for Arm Holdings, which is expected to benefit from the AI processor boom.

In China, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.3%. South Korea’s KOSPI edged 0.2% higher and was set for a strong 4.5% weekly gain, although Samsung Electronics fell about 2% as union workers began voting on a tentative pay agreement. Samsung had jumped 9% on Thursday after the agreement helped suspend strike action.

Elsewhere, India’s Nifty 50 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index each rose 0.4%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5%.

Japan’s softer inflation data also shaped sentiment. Core CPI slowed to a four-year low, but expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike remained intact because underlying inflation pressures are still viewed as active.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The session is positive for Asian equities, especially Japan and AI-linked chip names. Nvidia’s outlook supports the regional semiconductor trade, while softer Japan CPI may help equities by reducing immediate policy-tightening pressure. However, BoJ hike expectations, U.S.-Iran uncertainty, and elevated global yields could still limit upside.

Overall Market Sentiment: Buy / Positive for Asian equities and AI-linked chip stocks; Neutral-to-Buy for Nikkei and KOSPI

Q&A

Why did Asian markets rise on Friday? Asian markets rose because Nvidia’s strong outlook boosted confidence in AI infrastructure spending and supported chipmaker sentiment.

Which Asian index performed strongest? Japan’s Nikkei 225 led the region, rising more than 2.5% and moving close to record highs.

Why did Samsung fall after jumping on Thursday? Samsung fell about 2% as union workers began voting on a tentative pay deal, after the stock had surged 9% on Thursday when strike action was suspended.

Is Japan’s softer CPI negative for the Nikkei? Not directly. Softer CPI can support equities by easing rate pressure, but BoJ hike expectations remain alive because underlying inflation is still firm.

Source: Market data, company updates, Statistics Bureau of Japan

U.S. stock index futures moved higher after Wall Street ended a choppy session modestly positive, supported by stronger corporate earnings and late-session optimism around U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Updated futures prices showed S&P 500 Futures at 7,492.00, up 26.00 points or 0.35%; Nasdaq 100 Futures at 29,580.75, up 133.50 points or 0.45%; and Dow Jones Futures at 50,539.00, up 160.00 points or 0.32%.

In the cash session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.55% to a record close of 50,285.66, while the S&P 500 gained 0.17% and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.09%. AP reported the S&P 500 closed at 7,445.72, the Dow at 50,285.66, and the Nasdaq at 26,293.10.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The move is positive for short-term U.S. equity sentiment, especially after upbeat earnings from several companies. However, the upside may remain sensitive to U.S.-Iran headlines, oil-price volatility, Treasury yields, and valuation concerns in AI-linked stocks.

Overall Market Sentiment: Neutral-to-Buy for U.S. equities / Buy bias for Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures while earnings momentum holds

Q&A

What are the updated U.S. futures prices? S&P 500 Futures are 7,492.00, Nasdaq 100 Futures are 29,580.75, and Dow Futures are 50,539.00.

Did Wall Street close higher? Yes. The Dow closed at a record high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also finished slightly higher.

What is supporting U.S. futures? Strong earnings, improved risk sentiment, and hopes for diplomatic progress in the Middle East.

Source: Reuters, AP, Investing.com

A wave of after-hours earnings reports improved U.S. futures sentiment, with several major stocks rallying after better-than-expected results or positive guidance.

Workday (WDAY) surged after the enterprise finance and HR software company beat expectations. The stock traded around $135.33 after hours, up $13.47, or 11.06%, from the regular close of $121.85. The rally followed stronger quarterly results and improved confidence around Workday’s AI-driven software demand.

Zoom Communications (ZM) also jumped after reporting stronger earnings and guidance. Zoom traded near $104.72, implying a gain of roughly 8% from the regular close of $96.75. The company reported adjusted EPS of $1.55, above expectations of $1.42, while revenue rose 5.5% to $1.24 billion.

Ross Stores (ROST) rose strongly after stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and upgraded forecasts. The stock traded around $229.50 after hours, up $12.31, or 5.67%, from the regular close of $217.19. Ross also raised full-year earnings and comparable-sales guidance.

Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) gained after reaffirming that Grand Theft Auto VI remains on track for a November 19, 2026, launch. The stock traded around $252.50 after hours, up $14.42, or 6.06%, from the regular close of $238.08.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The earnings reaction is positive for U.S. futures sentiment, especially in software, consumer retail, and gaming stocks. Strong company-level results help offset concerns around high Treasury yields and valuation pressure in AI-linked equities.

Overall Market Sentiment: Neutral-to-Buy for U.S. equities / Buy bias for WDAY, ZM, ROST, and TTWO after earnings

Q&A

Which stock had the strongest after-hours move? Workday led the group, rising about 11.06% after hours.

Why did Zoom shares rise? Zoom beat earnings expectations and issued stronger guidance, supporting renewed investor interest in its AI and enterprise communication story.

Why did Take-Two shares jump? Take-Two reaffirmed the November 19, 2026, launch date for Grand Theft Auto VI, keeping a major earnings catalyst intact.

What does this earnings wave mean for U.S. futures? It supports risk sentiment, but the broader market still needs lower yield pressure to confirm a stronger rally.

Source: Workday, Zoom Communications, Ross Stores, Take-Two Interactive, Barron’s, WSJ, Public.com, Google Finance

Lenovo Group, the Hong Kong-listed Chinese technology company and the world’s largest PC maker, reported record annual revenue of $83.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, up 20% from a year earlier. Profit attributable to shareholders rose 38% to $1.91 billion, supported by strong demand for AI servers, AI-enabled PCs, and enterprise services.

Fourth-quarter revenue jumped 27% to a record $21.6 billion, while quarterly net profit surged to $521 million, compared with $90 million a year earlier. Lenovo said AI-related revenue rose 105% during the year and accounted for one-third of total group revenue. In the fourth quarter, AI-related revenue represented 38% of sales.

The infrastructure solutions business, which includes servers, returned to full-year profitability and posted record revenue of $19.2 billion, helped by AI server demand. Lenovo’s intelligent devices group, including PCs and smartphones, recorded 17% annual revenue growth, while global PC market share reached a record 24.4% in the fourth quarter.

Lenovo’s Hong Kong-listed shares surged more than 13% to HK$14.98, reaching their highest level since March 2000. The board proposed a final dividend of HK33.7 cents per share, up from HK30.5 cents a year earlier.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: The report is strongly positive for Lenovo (HK:0992) and the broader AI hardware supply chain. The results confirm that AI demand is spreading beyond Nvidia-style chips into servers, AI PCs, enterprise infrastructure, and services.

Overall Market Sentiment: Buy / Positive for Lenovo (HK:0992)

Q&A

Did Lenovo report record annual revenue? Yes. Lenovo reported $83.1 billion in annual revenue, up 20% year over year.

How important is AI to Lenovo’s growth? Very important. AI-related revenue rose 105% and made up one-third of full-year revenue.

Why did Lenovo shares surge? Shares jumped more than 13% after record revenue, stronger profit, AI-driven growth, and a higher dividend.

Is Lenovo benefiting from AI server demand? Yes. Its infrastructure solutions unit returned to profitability and posted record revenue of $19.2 billion.

Source: Lenovo Group

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s U.S. space exploration and satellite company, disclosed in its IPO prospectus that it held 18,712 Bitcoin as of March 31, adding a major crypto-treasury angle to what could become one of the largest stock market debuts in history. The filing showed the Bitcoin position had a fair value of about $1.29 billion at the end of Q1, while reports based on current Bitcoin prices put the stash closer to roughly $1.45 billion.

The disclosure reinforces the view that digital assets are becoming part of institutional balance-sheet strategy, especially among technology-linked companies. For crypto markets, the SpaceX filing is important because it connects Bitcoin ownership with a major private-market IPO story and could strengthen the narrative of corporate adoption.

Importance Level: High

Possible Market Effect: Positive for Bitcoin sentiment, especially from an institutional-adoption perspective. However, broader BTC price action will still depend on ETF flows, Treasury yields, Fed expectations, and risk sentiment.

Overall Market Sentiment: Neutral-to-Buy for BTC / Positive for crypto institutional-adoption narrative

Q&A

How much Bitcoin does SpaceX hold? SpaceX disclosed 18,712 BTC as of March 31.

Why is SpaceX’s Bitcoin holding important for crypto markets? It supports the institutional-adoption narrative and shows that Bitcoin remains relevant on major corporate balance sheets.

Is the SpaceX IPO filing bullish for Bitcoin? Strategically, yes, but the short-term BTC price impact may be limited if macro pressure remains high.

Source: SpaceX IPO prospectus, CoinDesk, Business Insider