U.S. Stock Markets Rebound Modestly Ahead of Earnings Week
On Friday, the three major U.S. stock indexes closed with modest gains as investors positioned themselves ahead of a busy earnings week. Confidence was buoyed by slightly easing inflation expectations and steady jobless claims.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: ▲ 0.24%
- Nasdaq Composite: ▲ 0.38%
- S&P 500: ▲ 0.19%
Chinese Markets Show Signs of Stabilization
After a sharp mid-week selloff, Chinese equities found some stability. The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index edged up 0.3% as policymakers hinted at potential stimulus measures to support growth and consumer sentiment.
Key Stock Movements
- Apple (AAPL): Rose 1.2% after reports of strong pre-orders for its upcoming AI-powered MacBooks.
- Meta (META): Gained 2.1% following a bullish upgrade from a major investment bank.
- Chevron (CVX): Fell 0.8% as crude oil prices cooled slightly after a volatile week.
- Intel (INTC): Dropped 1.5% on concerns about slowing demand in the data center segment.
Global Economic Headlines
Oil Prices See Volatility Amid Middle East Tensions
Crude prices fluctuated sharply throughout the week, driven by renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over global supply disruptions.
Eurozone Inflation Eases Slightly
Preliminary data from the EU showed a slight decline in inflation, offering some relief to policymakers. However, ECB officials remain cautious about rate cuts in the near term.
India’s Central Bank Signals Neutral Stance
The Reserve Bank of India indicated it will maintain a neutral policy stance, with inflation appearing under control and growth forecasts holding steady. Markets interpreted this as supportive of near-term stability.
Conclusion
Markets ended the week on a cautiously optimistic note. With corporate earnings kicking off next week and macroeconomic signals showing mixed trends, investors remain alert to both risks and opportunities in Q2.
Brought to you by PickMyTrade — delivering smart tools, automation, and insights for the modern trader.
