Summary
- A prolonged deadlock in US-Iran negotiations triggered declines in US stock futures, higher international oil prices and a stronger dollar.
- The S&P 500 index has risen about 10%% since late March, but higher oil prices and interest-rate pressure are weighing on investor sentiment.
- Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and XRP posted modest gains, while this week's monetary-policy decisions and technology company earnings reports are expected to drive market volatility.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Risk assets sent mixed signals across global markets as negotiations between the US and Iran remained deadlocked.
Bloomberg reported on April 26 that delays in restarting US-Iran peace talks fueled concern that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could be prolonged. US stock futures fell, while international oil prices climbed.
S&P 500 futures slipped 0.2%, and the dollar strengthened against major currencies. Brent crude at one point rose 1.9% to above $107 a barrel.
The moves reflected fading expectations over the weekend that talks would resume. Tensions escalated again after President Donald Trump abruptly canceled plans to send a senior envoy, while Iran said it would not negotiate under pressure.
Global equities remain near elevated levels, but headwinds are building. The S&P 500 has risen about 10% since late March, though higher oil prices and interest-rate pressure are weighing on investor sentiment.
Cryptocurrencies, meanwhile, posted modest gains. Bitcoin traded at $78,581.56 on Binance's USDT market, up 0.6% from a day earlier. Ether rose 2.21% to $2,370.59, while XRP gained 0.47% to $1.431.
This week, monetary-policy decisions from major central banks and earnings from major technology companies are poised to drive market volatility. Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta are due to report, with Apple also set to release results.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.
