IMF Lowers 2026 Global GDP Growth Forecast to 3.1% vs 3.3% Prior
The IMF trimmed its 2026 global GDP growth forecast to 3.1% from 3.3%, citing the Middle East conflict and higher oil prices. The United States sees a modest downgrade to 2.3%, while the euro area falls to 1.1% and China to 4.4%. India’s outlook was upgraded to 6.5% on strong momentum and lower U.S. tariffs, whereas Iran now faces a 6.1% contraction. Inflation expectations rose, with global rates at 4.4% and emerging markets at 5.5%, tightening monetary policy prospects.
Asian Stocks Rise as Pakistan Offers Islamabad Venue for New US‑Iran Talks, Oil Slides
Pakistan announced it would host a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, prompting Asian equity indices to surge. The diplomatic overture lifted the Nikkei 225 by 2.3% and the Kospi by 2.7% while crude oil slipped 1.7% to $97.37...
Cheap, Underweighted, and Ready to Move. Why This Dormant Emerging Market...
Eurizon SLJ Capital, managing over $432 billion, predicts Chinese equities will rally about 10% by year‑end, lifting the CSI 300 past the 5,000 mark. The forecast rests on low valuations—roughly 18‑times forward earnings—alongside a stabilising property sector and abundant household savings shifting...
NDX Gap-Up Expected; Avoid Longs Near Resistance
NDX: A gap-up at the open is coming. Given the overbought oscillator, it's prudent to avoid chasing longs. Price action remains bullish above $25,256.6, while $25,514.1 is a key daily resistance level worth watching. The complete set of daily levels...
Zelenskyy Will Fix Druzhba Oil Pipeline as He Counts on Hungary to Lift EU Loan Veto
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline will be operational enough to flow by the end of April 2026. He linked the repair to Hungary’s expected removal of its veto on the €90 billion ($98 billion) EU loan...
Indus Towers: Jefferies Cuts Rating to Underperform, Gives Reasons for Bear Outlook
Jefferies downgraded Indus Towers to "underperform" and lowered its price target to Rs 375 (about $4.5) amid renewal risk for roughly 10 % of sites built in 2016‑17. The broker warns that contract expirations in late 2026‑early 2027 could force the company...
Indonesia Plans to Buy Russian Oil, Pertamina to Follow Government Directives
Indonesia is evaluating the purchase of Russian crude oil, with state‑owned oil giant Pertamina poised to act on any government directive. President Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to Moscow included talks with Vladimir Putin on expanding energy cooperation, including refinery development....
U.S. Lawmakers Declare AI Arms Race with China at House Hearing
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie and Rep. Andy Barr warned that the United States is in an AI arms race with China during a markup hearing, while Rep. Blake D. Moore questioned the rhetoric’s substance. The framing fuels...
IMF Cuts China’s GDP Growth Forecast to 4.4% as Iran War Pressures Global Economy
The International Monetary Fund trimmed its 2024 global growth outlook to 3.1%, lowering China’s GDP projection to 4.4% amid fallout from the Iran‑related war and higher commodity prices. The downgrade reflects weaker domestic activity in China, especially a prolonged housing...
European Airports Risk Jet Fuel Shortage by May Due to Hormuz Crisis
The war in Iran and the near‑shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed global oil prices above $92 a barrel, driving the average jet‑fuel spot price to $197.83 per barrel—99% higher than pre‑conflict levels. A Financial Times report warns that...
Energy Transfer on Natural Gas Opportunities & More
Energy Transfer (ET) is expanding its natural‑gas footprint with two major Permian pipelines—Hugh Brinson, now sized at 2.2 Bcf/d with bidirectional capability, and the Desert Southwest expansion, increased to 2.3 Bcf/d for an additional $900 million. The company also plans to boost Canadian crude...
Discover How to Enter and Navigate China's Games Market in 2026 at PGC Summit Shanghai
The Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai on July 29, 2026 will serve as a direct gateway for international game makers to enter China’s massive market, which generates roughly 20% of global player spending. Attendees will meet regulators, publishers, and platform...
Pair of Townhouses Leads Brooklyn’s Luxury Contracts
Brooklyn’s luxury market saw 20 contracts worth $71 million last week, down from 26 deals totaling $79 million the prior week. The median asking price was $2.7 million and the average price per square foot $1,434. The top deal was an $8.5 million townhouse...
Ask a Chief Product Officer: What's Driving Annuity Innovation Today
Retail annuity sales in the United States topped $460 billion in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive record year, as market volatility, longer lifespans, and the erosion of traditional pensions fuel demand for guaranteed income. Providers are responding with hybrid products that...
Stocks Climb on Cooler Wholesale Price Growth, Lower Oil Prices
U.S. wholesale prices rose less than expected in March, easing inflation concerns and lifting stock futures. The S&P 500 futures gained 0.3% while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.5% in early New York trading. Energy costs climbed amid the Iran war, but the softer...
Invest $300‑$1500/Month, Grow
Investing takes time and time will pass regardless. So why not build wealth in the meantime? Here’s how much you could have in 20 years depending on how much you invest: $300/month = $206,190 $500/month = $343,650 $700/month = $481,110 $1K / month = $687,300 $1.5K/...
PSU Banks vs Private Banks: What Should Investors Pick This Earnings Season
Public sector banks (PSUs) have outperformed private lenders, with the Nifty PSU Bank index gaining 41% over the past year versus a 5% rise for private banks. Analysts note that PSU valuations are now around 1.3 times forward book value,...
Stocks Downplay Iran Risks in Whipsaw Trading Day
U.S. equities rebounded sharply on Thursday, wiping out losses from the recent Iran‑U.S. escalation. The S&P 500 rose about 1% back to pre‑conflict levels, while the Dow added over 300 points and the Nasdaq gained more than 1%, led by technology...
Paul Hastings’ Partner on Increased Importance of Cross-Border Tax for REITs
Chris Mangin Jr., a tax partner at Paul Hastings, told Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference that cross‑border tax considerations are becoming pivotal for REITs seeking overseas capital to fund infrastructure, AI and data‑center projects. Public‑market constraints are pushing REITs toward private equity,...
$200M Corporate Welfare for Organic Farmers the Latest 'Rainy Day' Fund Raid
Maine lawmakers are moving $200 million from the state’s Budget Stabilization (rainy‑day) Fund into a new “Agriculture Bond”‑style program, LD 299, that would funnel money directly to organic farms and related NGOs. The proposal sidesteps the two‑thirds supermajority normally required for rainy‑day...
Namibia’s Central Bank Lowers Economic Growth Forecasts
Namibia’s central bank slashed its GDP growth outlook, now projecting 2.6% for 2024 and 2.9% for 2025, trimming previous estimates by 1.2 and 1.4 percentage points respectively. The downgrade reflects a sharper-than‑expected decline in metal ore output and persistent weakness...
Morning Reads
Nvidia denied a report that it was negotiating to buy a PC maker, sending Dell and HP shares down more than 2% after earlier rallying. United Airlines CEO discussed a possible merger with American Airlines, lifting both stocks in pre‑market...
Bearish Outlook Persists Despite Short‑term Price Rally
Bearish big picture with eyes wide open for all the same reasons I’ve discussed for months… Campbell details well below. @abcampbell It does not mean press short in a mania of momentum. Price action for higher since we got back above...
Malaysians Urged to Tighten Their Belts as Iran War Fallout Starts to Bite
Malaysia’s government warned citizens to brace for prolonged cost pressures as the Iran‑triggered energy crisis tightens. Crude oil supplies are expected to run out by May, pushing Brent to US$132.50 per barrel and prompting a diesel subsidy hike to 400...
Here Are Tuesday's Biggest Analyst Calls: Apple, Tesla, Amazon, GM, Crocs, Viking, Alphabet, Ford & More
Wall Street analysts issued a wave of upgrades, initiations and downgrades on Tuesday, spanning technology, automotive, consumer and healthcare stocks. Citi launched coverage of quantum‑computer firm Infleqtion with a Buy rating and a $20 target, while UBS upgraded Ford to...
Herbalife Issues $800M Notes, Boosts Credit Outlook
Herbalife plans $800M 2033 secured notes to refinance costlier debt and extend maturities. 78% gross margin, $253M FCF, S&P upgrade support credit. Risk: leverage. Trade accumulate on pullbacks. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Sapient Perception Raises €2M to Give Drones a Wider View
Sapient Perception, a Danish AI sensor startup, secured €2 million (about $2.2 million) in pre‑seed funding led by Balnord and FORWARD.one. The company’s 10K sensor platform captures up to 100 times more ground area than conventional drone cameras while preserving detail, processing data...
Front‑month Brent Under $100; Peace Deal Could Drop to $90
The oil price that matters is the front-month Brent futures contract (orange), which is now just below $100 per barrel. This is what people trade and where a peace deal will get priced if and when we get a deal....
Higher EPS Won’t Offset Rising Rates and Inflation
@ferrotv @lisaabramowicz1 @tomkeene @business Regarding your bullish guest (Lisa)who says the EPS outlook has improved so stocks are inexpensive: * The small business confidence is lowest since April 2025. * Global bond yields have risen. The Fed is no longer likely to...
Ghanaian Farm Plans 3,000-Ton Tomato Supply Expansion
Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture announced that Maphlix Farms will place 3,000 tons of tomatoes on the market by year‑end, using a mix of greenhouse and open‑field production. The farm has already begun harvesting, with three‑day picking cycles to maintain...
Acquisitions and Partnerships Spark Sharp Stock Gains
$CRDO Credo Technology DustPhotonics 인수 발표, 광통신 확장 기대에 급등 - DustPhotonics 인수 발표 후 주가 약 20% 급등 - 인수 대가, 현금 7.5억달러와 Credo 주식 92만주 - AI 네트워킹 핵심 광트랜시버 기술 확대 기대 반영 $BE Bloom Energy Oracle 협력 확대, 데이터센터 전력 수요 기대에...
Oil Surge Signals Glut Risks for Grains, Crypto
Oil Surge Flags Glut Risks Amid Bear Bounces in Grains, Cryptos Crude oil's move to about $100 a barrel during the Iran war from roughly $60 last year may echo 2022, with oil taking cues from plunging, well-supplied US natural gas....
What’s Driving the Wartime Stock Rebound
Global equity markets rallied on Tuesday as investors leaned on momentum trading, wiping out the S&P 500’s losses incurred since the February onset of the Iran‑U.S. war. Brent crude slipped to about $98 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate hovered near...
3 Technology Mutual Funds to Buy as the Sector Rebounds After a Slow Start
The technology sector, hampered by rising bond yields, interest‑rate uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions, posted weak returns early in 2026, dragging down tech‑focused ETFs such as XLK. Recent earnings clarity, more attractive valuations, and expectations of stabilising rates have sparked a...
Hedge Funds Bet Heavily on Oversupplied Grains
Hedge Funds Are Long on Oversupplied Grains Hedge funds are at their most net long in about three years despite an oversupplied grain bear market after the Iran-war bounce. My graphic highlights the potential oxymoron: managed-money net longs in corn, soybeans...
S&P 500 Near New Record, Up 1% YTD
The S&P 500 is now up 1% YTD and above the level it was at when the Iran war began. Only needs another 1% gain to hit a new all-time high. $SPX Video: https://t.co/GTwCFLgKqY
JPMorgan Earnings, Oracle's $300 Million Windfall, New Delta Suites and More in Morning Squawk
JPMorgan Chase posted a 13% rise in net income and a 10% jump in revenue for Q1, beating analysts’ forecasts, while Citigroup delivered its strongest revenue in a decade. Oracle exercised a warrant that could net more than $300 million from...
Best Returns Follow Market Lows, Invest Through Fear
Every time the market feels the worst, it’s the beginning of something better. Since 1949, the S&P 500 has returned +38% on average in the year after bear market lows. The hardest time to invest is when the biggest opportunities appear. https://t.co/EQJa1ErbAB
Spain, China Strengthen Alliance Amid Global Order Threats
Spain, China pledge closer ties in the face of threats to world order - https://t.co/Ym3XQaXmlF
CME Group to Launch Options on Eris SOFR Swap Futures
CME Group announced it will list options on Eris SOFR Swap futures starting June 16, 2026, pending regulatory approval. The options—available on 2‑year, 5‑year and 10‑year contracts—add a new layer of flexibility for managing U.S. dollar interest‑rate risk and complement...
China's Q1 Lithium Battery Exports Surge, Signaling Energy Shift
China’s lithium battery exports surged in the first quarter, reinforcing signs of demand for alternative power sources to counter the global energy-supply crunch https://t.co/tdvAMTghZb
GBP/USD Eyes Seven-Day Surge, Resistance Ahead
British Pound Forecast: GBP/USD Surges for 7 Days- Resistance in Focus https://t.co/S48Wqar5jn $GBPUSD Weekly Chart https://t.co/P6mS9cEUXe
Chaotic Reconfiguration of the Auto Industry. Good or Bad?
The Mexican automotive sector is in the midst of a chaotic reconfiguration driven by a sharp decline in conventional vehicle sales, a surge in electric‑vehicle (EV) adoption, and tightening supply‑chain constraints. In the first quarter of 2024, overall auto sales...
NASDAQ 100 Eyes 10-Day Winning Streak, Best Since 2021
The NASDAQ 100 is on track for its 10th straight day of gains, potentially the best run since 2021. https://t.co/8MuxGQ3w3C
EU Bans China From Research, but Europe Pays the Price
Commentary: EU Shuts China Out of Science Projects, but Europe Will Pay the Price https://t.co/nVLtwgVav5
IEA Warns Forced Oil Contraction Amid Record Supply Loss
IEA just confirmed it: Record supply loss, collapsing demand, inventories draining. This isn’t a price spike—it’s forced contraction. Reopen Hormuz or brace for impact. https://t.co/Svzz77tows #Oil #Energy #Geopolitics
TRACE Predicts S&P Resistance, Confirms Flat Close
Two hours before Thursday's close, TRACE showed a massive call position that formed overhead resistance at SPX 6,830. Sure enough, the S&P 500 hit that level and flatlined into the close. TRACE unlocks that same edge for S&P 500 traders every day...
Nordics Lead with Heat Pumps, Ditching Heating Oil
Heating oil prices are sky-rocketing around the world. The Nordics have understood the risks of using fossil fuels for heating early on and transitioned away from heating oil almost entirely whilst phasing in heat pumps. https://t.co/gvLYlMORck
Active IG Issuance Day; USTs Face Pressure Post‑rally
Looking to be an active IG issuance day. USTs feeling a bit of pressure after a nice overnight rally
Housing Market Slowdown Began Before War-Driven Rate Hikes
House sales were slowing even before the war sent mortgage rates higher and gas prices soaring https://t.co/rfpqU6llQd