US Markets Close Lower on Mixed Data and Geopolitical Jitters
· Market News · MarketsFN Team
US Stocks Slip as Economic Data and Iran Tensions Weigh
US equities ended the session mostly lower, driven by mixed economic indicators and heightened geopolitical risks from the Iran war, which boosted oil prices but pressured risk assets. The S&P 500 fell 0.38% to 7,337.11, reflecting broader market caution amid stronger-than-expected jobless claims and rising inflation expectations, while cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin tumbled over 1.90% on price slides.
🇺🇸 US Session Overview
US indices closed with modest losses, as investors grappled with uneven economic data and sector-specific headwinds. The S&P 500 declined 0.38% to 7,337.11, influenced by weakness in small-cap stocks and technology, while the Nasdaq 100 held up relatively better, dropping just 0.12% to 28,563.95 amid AI-driven gains in software firms like Datadog, which soared on blockbuster earnings. The Dow Jones fell 0.63% to 49,596.97, dragged by industrial and financial sectors, and the Russell 2000 plummeted 1.63% to 2,839.63, highlighting vulnerability in smaller companies to rising costs and geopolitical tensions, such as the Iran war's impact on oil markets.📅 Economic Calendar Highlights
Today's economic releases showed a mix of beats and misses across various indicators. US Initial Jobless Claims came in at 200K, beating the forecast of 205K and the previous 190K, signaling a tight labor market. Germany's Factory Orders (MoM) for March surged to 5.0%, well above the 1.0% forecast, boosting euro sentiment, while Norway's Interest Rate Decision surprised with a hike to 4.25% from the expected 4.00%. On the downside, the UK's S&P Global Construction PMI for April dropped to 39.7, missing the 45.8 forecast, and Mexico's CPI (YoY) eased to 4.45%, slightly below the 4.50% estimate. Other notables included US Nonfarm Productivity at 0.8% versus 0.7% forecast, and Consumer Credit exploding to 24.86B, far exceeding the 12.50B prediction, underscoring resilient consumer spending.📋 Earnings Spotlight
Several companies reported earnings before the market open, with notable performances including Coinbase, which posted a steep first-quarter loss amid sliding crypto prices, sending shares down 4%. Datadog stood out as an AI winner, with its stock soaring 31% on revenue beats, while Airbnb topped estimates but highlighted rising cancellations due to the Iran war. Other reporters like AAON and ACIW also featured, though details were mixed in a volatile session.💱 FX & Commodities
The US dollar showed mixed direction, weakening against the euro but strengthening versus the pound, as EUR/USD rose 0.10% to 1.1727 on positive German data, while GBP/USD fell 0.13% to 1.3551 amid weak UK PMI figures. USD/JPY declined 0.46% to 156.95, reflecting safe-haven flows. In commodities, gold surged 0.63% to 4,711.50 as a hedge against geopolitical risks, and crude oil prices jumped, with WTI up 2.35% to 97.31 and Brent rising 1.50% to 102.79, driven by Shell's warnings of supply shortages from the Iran war. Cryptocurrencies lagged, with Bitcoin down 1.90% to 79,879.21 and Ethereum dropping 2.61% to 2,289.34. As Asian markets prepare to open, traders will eye the upcoming April jobs report for further clues on US economic health, potentially influencing Fed policy. Geopolitical developments in the Middle East could continue to drive oil volatility, while AI stock momentum from earnings like Datadog's may persist. Watch for any shifts in consumer sentiment as inflation expectations rise.🇺🇸 US Indices — Session Close
| Index | Price | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,337.11 | ▼ -28.01 | ▼ -0.38% |
| Nasdaq 100 | 28,563.95 | ▼ -35.22 | ▼ -0.12% |
| Dow Jones | 49,596.97 | ▼ -313.62 | ▼ -0.63% |
| Russell 2000 | 2,839.63 | ▼ -47.14 | ▼ -1.63% |
💱 FX Majors
| Pair | Rate | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.1727 | ▲ +0.10% |
| GBP/USD | 1.3551 | ▼ -0.13% |
| USD/JPY | 156.95 | ▼ -0.46% |
| AUD/USD | 0.7208 | ▲ +0.06% |
| USD/CHF | 0.7807 | ▼ -0.09% |
🛢️ Commodities & Crypto
| Asset | Price (USD) | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 4,711.50 | ▲ +0.63% |
| Silver (XAG/USD) | 79.57 | ▲ +3.60% |
| Crude Oil (WTI) | 97.31 | ▲ +2.35% |
| Brent Oil | 102.79 | ▲ +1.50% |
| Natural Gas | 2.79 | ▲ +2.01% |
| Bitcoin | 79,879.21 | ▼ -1.90% |
| Ethereum | 2,289.34 | ▼ -2.61% |
📋 Today's Earnings
| Ticker | Company | Timing | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAON | AAON Inc | BMO | 10580000000.0 |
| AARD | Aardvark Therapeutics Inc | BMO | 122170000.0 |
| ACDC | ProFrac Holding Corp | BMO | 1190000000.0 |
| ACIW | ACI Worldwide Inc | BMO | 4730000000.0 |
| ACMR | ACM Research Inc | BMO | 3890000000.0 |
| ACRE | Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp | BMO | 279610000.0 |
| ACRS | Aclaris Therapeutics Inc | BMO | 678760000.0 |
| ACTG | Acacia Research Corp | BMO | 453920000.0 |
| AFCG | Advanced Flower Capital Inc | BMO | 72700000.0 |
| AKBA | Akebia Therapeutics Inc | BMO | 316530000.0 |
| ALGM | Allegro Microsystems Inc | BMO | 8880000000.0 |
| AMLX | Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc | BMO | 1680000000.0 |
| AMTX | Aemetis Inc | BMO | 212610000.0 |
| APPN | Appian Corp | BMO | 1770000000.0 |
| APYX | Apyx Medical Corp | BMO | 148910000.0 |
| ARGX | Argen X SE ADR | BMO | 48720000000.0 |
| ARHS | Arhaus Inc | BMO | 999550000.0 |
| ARKO | ARKO Corp | BMO | 752750000.0 |
| ARW | Arrow Electronics Inc | BMO | 9700000000.0 |
| ASC | Ardmore Shipping Corp | BMO | 769940000.0 |
📅 Economic Calendar
All times in UTC — Actual highlighted where available
| Time | Currency | Event | Imp. | Actual | Forecast | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | USD | Initial Jobless Claims | 🔴🔴🔴 | 200K | 205K | 190K |
| 01:30 | AUD | Trade Balance (Mar) | 🟡🟡 | -1.841B | 4.380B | 5.026B |
| 06:00 | EUR | German Factory Orders (MoM) (Mar) | 🟡🟡 | 5.0% | 1.0% | 1.4% |
| 07:00 | MYR | Interest Rate | 🟡🟡 | 2.75% | 2.75% | 2.75% |
| 07:30 | SEK | Interest Rate Decision | 🟡🟡 | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% |
| 08:00 | NOK | Interest Rate Decision | 🟡🟡 | 4.25% | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| 08:30 | GBP | S&P Global Construction PMI (Apr) | 🟡🟡 | 39.7 | 45.8 | 45.6 |
| 12:00 | MXN | CPI (YoY) (Apr) | 🟡🟡 | 4.45% | 4.50% | 4.59% |
| 12:00 | MXN | CPI (MoM) (Apr) | 🟡🟡 | 0.20% | 0.25% | 0.86% |
| 12:00 | BRL | Industrial Production (YoY) (Mar) | 🟡🟡 | 4.3% | 3.5% | -0.7% |
| 12:30 | USD | Continuing Jobless Claims | 🟡🟡 | 1,766K | 1,800K | 1,776K |
| 12:30 | USD | Nonfarm Productivity (QoQ) (Q1) | 🟡🟡 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.6% |
| 12:30 | USD | Unit Labor Costs (QoQ) (Q1) | 🟡🟡 | 2.3% | 2.6% | 4.6% |
| 13:59 | USD | Construction Spending (MoM) (Feb) | 🟡🟡 | -0.2% | -1.9% | |
| 14:00 | USD | Construction Spending (MoM) (Mar) | 🟡🟡 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -1.9% |
| 15:00 | USD | NY Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (Apr) | 🟡🟡 | 3.6% | 3.4% | |
| 16:10 | USD | Atlanta Fed GDPNow (Q2) | 🟡🟡 | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| 19:00 | USD | Consumer Credit (Mar) | 🟡🟡 | 24.86B | 12.50B | 8.85B |
| 19:00 | MXN | Interest Rate Decision (May) | 🟡🟡 | 6.50% | 6.50% | 6.75% |
| 20:30 | USD | Fed's Balance Sheet | 🟡🟡 | 6,710B | 6,700B | |
| 07:15 | EUR | ECB's De Guindos Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 08:00 | EUR | ECB's Lane Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 12:00 | EUR | ECB's Elderson Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 12:40 | EUR | ECB's Lane Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 17:00 | EUR | ECB's Schnabel Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 18:00 | USD | FOMC Member Kashkari Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — | ||
| 19:30 | USD | FOMC Member Williams Speaks | 🟡🟡 | — |
Report published: May 07, 2026 — 22:59 CET
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