🌏 ASIA (Today) Asian markets are mostly in the green. 🇯🇵 Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped +1.4% to a new all-time record high. 🇰🇷 South Korea's KOSPI surged +1.83%, also hitting a fresh record peak. 🇨🇳 Mainland China's CSI 300 gained +0.25% after March industrial profits grew 15.8% year-on-year. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped -0.17%. 🇦🇺 Australia's ASX 200 fell -0.54%.
🇺🇸 WALL STREET (Friday close) Last Friday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at all-time highs again. S&P 500: 7,165 (+0.80%), Nasdaq: 24,836 (+1.63%), Dow: 49,230 (-0.16%). Month-to-date: S&P 500 +9%, Nasdaq +15%, Dow +6%. This Monday, futures are mixed - Dow futures -0.16%, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 near flat/slightly lower as Iran tensions keep oil elevated.
💱 FOREX (Monday morning) EUR/USD is pulling back after last week's bounce, now eyeing the 1.1735-1.1760 resistance zone. The pair traded between 1.1678-1.1791 last week. The ECB holds a wait-and-see stance; markets fully price in two rate hikes in 2026, with a 55% chance of a third.
🥇 GOLD (Monday open) Spot gold opened around $4,709-4,721/oz, up slightly from Friday. Gold is under pressure from Middle East-driven inflation concerns and the Fed's hawkish hold stance - markets price 100% probability of no change at this week's FOMC (Apr 28-29). The metal is ~10% below its early-2026 peak near $5,250.
🛢️ OIL (Monday) Brent futures are climbing again, trading near $99-100/bbl, with WTI near $95-96/bbl - up ~2% at the Monday open. Iran's FM left Pakistan Sunday without meeting US officials; Trump scrapped envoy trip plans. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. WTI surged 13% last week alone.
₿ BITCOIN (Today) BTC is trading around $79,000-79,100, up ~0.5% in 24 hours. Market cap dominance ~68.6%. Sentiment is neutral (RSI ~63).
📌 KEY THEME The Middle East standoff dominates. This week is pivotal: Magnificent Seven earnings (Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft - Wednesday; Apple - Thursday) and the Fed rate decision (Tuesday-Wednesday) are the main catalysts. All eyes on whether oil supply disruptions will force the Fed's hand.
⚠️ Trading involves risk. Not investment advice. 🔗 NordFX.com
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