Finance

The US government's announcement of $2 billion in quantum computing grants propelled IBM shares up 12.4% after it received the largest funding allocation. Meanwhile, Nvidia's first-quarter earnings beat expectations due to sustained demand for AI agents, though the stock faced some downward pressure as investors realized significant optimism was already priced in.

U.S. Treasury yields eased recently with the 10-year yield falling to approximately 4.57% as immediate geopolitical and energy fears cooled. However, persistent core inflation and rising price indicators continue to fuel market speculation that the Federal Reserve, now led by Kevin Warsh, may hold rates higher for longer or even consider future hikes.

Cryptocurrencies have seen increased interest as a hedge against global uncertainty, with Bitcoin maintaining levels around $77,000 to $81,000 throughout May. Investors are closely monitoring diplomatic developments in the Middle East, as signs of a peaceful resolution typically encourage greater risk appetite in digital assets.