Finance

Market participants are closely monitoring Nvidia's first-quarter earnings report, which is expected to act as a vital indicator for global artificial intelligence demand. While semiconductor hardware stocks have surged as much as 92% this year, there are growing concerns that a miss in performance could derail the broader technology rally.

U.S. inflation accelerated to 3.8% in April 2026, largely due to energy price shocks resulting from the ongoing war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. These inflationary pressures have led fixed-income markets to abandon expectations for rate cuts, with some traders now pricing in potential interest rate hikes under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.

Brent crude oil prices have surged above $110 per barrel as uncertainty persists regarding the reopening of vital shipping lanes. Analysts warn that a delay in reopening the Strait of Hormuz beyond late May could push crude prices more than $20 higher than current near-term forecasts.