Stocks in Asia were poised to extend gains Tuesday as optimism over a potential US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz lifted risk appetite and sent oil prices lower. Equity-index futures for Japan and Australia pointed to gains, while markets in Hong Kong and South Korea were set to reopen after a holiday. US contracts were higher after markets there were also closed Monday. The dollar was s...
Stocks in Asia were poised to extend gains Tuesday as optimism over a potential US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz lifted risk appetite and sent oil prices lower. Equity-index futures for Japan and Australia pointed to gains, while markets in Hong Kong and South Korea were set to reopen after a holiday. US contracts were higher after markets there were also closed Monday. The dollar was steady against major peers in early trading after weakening on Monday. The risk-on mood helped lift the MSCI All Country World Index , the broadest gauge of global equities, to a record close on Monday, with a gauge of Asia Pacific stocks rising for a third straight day. West Texas Intermediate crude held losses early Tuesday after tumbling in the previous session, when US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran over an interim deal to extend their ceasefire and reopen Hormuz were “ proceeding nicely. ” Pakistan’s military chief, Asim Munir , the main interlocutor between the warring sides, told China an agreement is “close to being reached.” There is “a presumption that the Strait of Hormuz is going to be opened in the not too distant future and I think the market is betting that the supply demand situation rebalances and things are going to normalize,” said Bart Melek , global head of commodity strategy at TD Securities. Global markets are betting the worst of the Middle East energy shock may be over after months of conflict disrupted crude supplies, stoked inflation fears and drove bond yields higher. A deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the US-Iran ceasefire is set to further ease pressure in the oil markets and support the rally in equities. Key sticking points remain unresolved, however, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported the draft agreement could still collapse because of US objections to several provisions, including Tehran’s demand that frozen assets be released. “A consensus was reached on ...
The S&P 500 roared higher over the past few years, driven by technology stocks and other high-growth players. But earlier this year, various headwinds put the brakes on that momentum. Investors worried about the conflict in Iran, the pace of interest rate cuts in the U.S., and the soaring valuations of many growth stocks. All of these concerns weighed on investor sentiment, and therefore, on appet...
The S&P 500 roared higher over the past few years, driven by technology stocks and other high-growth players. But earlier this year, various headwinds put the brakes on that momentum. Investors worried about the conflict in Iran, the pace of interest rate cuts in the U.S., and the soaring valuations of many growth stocks. All of these concerns weighed on investor sentiment, and therefore, on appetite for stocks, particularly companies that rely on economic growth. But the positive point here is that the sell-off pushed the valuations of many quality companies down, creating buying opportunities for investors. Let's check out three of the best S&P 500 stocks to buy now after the recent decline. 1. Home Depot Home Depot (HD 0.19%) faces various challenges and these are elements that may hold consumers back from home improvement projects or home purchases -- such as higher prices for gas and other goods, as well as housing market conditions. But the company has shown its resilience and, in the recent quarter, had plenty of good news to report. The retailer reported revenue and net income that surpassed analysts' estimates, with revenue climbing 4.8% to more than $41 billion. Home Depot also reaffirmed its guidance for the year, and in an interview with CNBC, noted positive engagement from the consumer in spite of today's economic headwinds. Expand NYSE : HD Home Depot Today's Change ( -0.19 %) $ -0.61 Current Price $ 313.17 Key Data Points Market Cap $312B Day's Range $ 311.50 - $ 314.93 52wk Range $ 289.10 - $ 426.75 Volume 115.3K Avg Vol 4.4M Gross Margin 31.14 % Dividend Yield 2.95 % Meanwhile, Home Depot continues to aim for growth in the $700 billion professional market -- this means selling to pros such as contractors and building specialists. The company's fleet of more than 2,300 stores, its SRS distribution platform for professionals, and sales force of more than 5,000 offer it a moat, or competitive advantage in this space. Considering all of this, Home Depot...
Casper Ruud said he felt he was almost "walking around like a zombie" at times as he struggled in extreme heat during his first-round win over Roman Safiullin at the French Open. Temperatures were said to have reached 33C on the first two days of the tournament in Paris, causing uncomfortable conditions for some. Norwegian Ruud spurned five match points in the third set against Safiullin, by which...
Casper Ruud said he felt he was almost "walking around like a zombie" at times as he struggled in extreme heat during his first-round win over Roman Safiullin at the French Open. Temperatures were said to have reached 33C on the first two days of the tournament in Paris, causing uncomfortable conditions for some. Norwegian Ruud spurned five match points in the third set against Safiullin, by which time he said he had already started to feel cramping in his legs. He later had medical timeouts and used ice towels and water to try to cool himself during changes of ends. From 5-2 down in the third set, Russian qualifier Safiullin won 11 consecutive games to force a decider - but he also had injury problems which required treatment towards the end of the fourth set. Both players left the court for an extended period before the fifth set, after which 15th seed Ruud eventually completed a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 0-6 6-2 victory. The contest lasted three hours and 56 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
Democrats Using Black Athletes As Pawns In Redistricting War The Congressional Black Caucus, aligned with the NAACP, is urging black college athletes to avoid Southeastern Conference schools in Southern states as a form of economic pressure against Republican-drawn redistricting maps that eliminate majority-black congressional districts. The campaign is called "Out of Bounds,” and is essentially a...
Democrats Using Black Athletes As Pawns In Redistricting War The Congressional Black Caucus, aligned with the NAACP, is urging black college athletes to avoid Southeastern Conference schools in Southern states as a form of economic pressure against Republican-drawn redistricting maps that eliminate majority-black congressional districts. The campaign is called "Out of Bounds,” and is essentially asking young black athletes to forfeit their best shot at a professional sports career so Democratic lawmakers can make a political statement about redistricting. NAACP calls for black athletes to boycott college sports in south “Across the South, Black athletes have helped build some of the most profitable college athletic programs in America, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue,” the NAACP argues on its “ Out of Bounds” campaign website . “ At the same time, several southern state governments are moving to limit, reduce, weaken, or erase Black voting representation by creating new, unconstitutional voting districts .” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries framed the redistricting fights as "an unprecedented attack on black political representation,” demanding "an unprecedented response." That response, apparently, involves steering eighteen-year-old football recruits away from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Texas A&M - programs that collectively represent the most direct pipeline to the NFL in American sports. Jeffries said black lawmakers are "standing in solidarity with NAACP in its call for athletes to boycott institutions within the SEC that belong to states that have unleashed these Jim Crow-like racially oppressive tactics, which is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American,” he continued. “And we believe that the silence of these institutions is complicity, and we will not stand for it.” For a talented black athlete from anywhere in the country, an SEC scholarship is frequently the fastest and most visible route to ...
Two groups submitted bids to become the strategic investor in Copasa, advancing the Minas Gerais state government’s plan to privatize one of Brazil’s largest water and sewage utilities, according to people familiar to the matter. One of the groups is formed by Itausa SA, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, Equipav Saneamento SA and Aegea Saneamentos, one of the people said, asking not to be ident...
Two groups submitted bids to become the strategic investor in Copasa, advancing the Minas Gerais state government’s plan to privatize one of Brazil’s largest water and sewage utilities, according to people familiar to the matter. One of the groups is formed by Itausa SA, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, Equipav Saneamento SA and Aegea Saneamentos, one of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing information that isn’t public. Aegea has a smaller stake in the group, known as Livorno, to avoid increasing its debt load, Bloomberg reported earlier. Itausa and Aegea confirmed in statements that they were part of the bidding. The other group is led by Equatorial Energia SA, said another person. The company had wavered on whether to participate after its partner, Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, backed out of the process, Bloomberg reported earlier. Equatorial didn’t respond to a message seeking comment. The transaction, which would rank among Brazil’s biggest deals this year, is expected to be followed by a secondary public share offering that will reduce the state’s control of Copasa. The Aegea group’s structure is similar to the model used in the 2021 privatization of Cedae, Rio de Janeiro’s sanitation company, when a consortium led by the same shareholders secured a majority stake in the concession. The strategic investor will be able to buy 30% of Copasa before the public offering, with the possibility of buying more shares in the market during the offering, up to a maximum of 45% of voting rights, according to the filing. Infrastructure fund Perfin recently increased its stake in Copasa to about 15% and is also in talks to play an active role in the company after the privatization, according to people familiar with the matter. The fund intends to acquire more shares during the follow-on process, the people said, meaning Copasa could end with two large shareholders. Once the strategic investor is identified through the auction, Copas...
Oil held a drop on signs that negotiations to extend a US-Iranian ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz were making progress. West Texas Intermediate traded near $91 a barrel, after dropping sharply in the week’s opening session, while Brent closed near $96. Negotiations were “proceeding nicely,” President Donald Trump posted on Monday, while also threatening fresh attacks if they were unsucce...
Oil held a drop on signs that negotiations to extend a US-Iranian ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz were making progress. West Texas Intermediate traded near $91 a barrel, after dropping sharply in the week’s opening session, while Brent closed near $96. Negotiations were “proceeding nicely,” President Donald Trump posted on Monday, while also threatening fresh attacks if they were unsuccessful. Pakistan’s military chief, the main interlocutor, told China an agreement was close. Still, signs of hostilities remained. Loud explosions were heard around the Strait of Hormuz, near the Iranian coastal cities of Sirik and Jask, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported. American and Israeli warplanes had targeted several Iranian vessels south of Larak Island, state-run Nour News reported. Crude prices have been boosted by the crisis, which is now into its third month. The Strait of Hormuz — the critical waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows during peacetime — remains essentially closed, subject to a double blockade by US and Iran. In a separate post, Trump said Tehran’s enriched uranium would preferably be destroyed in Iran. To get Bloomberg’s Energy Daily newsletter in your inbox, click here . WTI for July delivery traded at $91.18 at 6:03 a.m. in Singapore, almost 6% lower than Friday’s close. There was no settlement on Monday due to a US holiday. Brent for July settlement closed 7.2% lower at $96.15 a barrel on Monday.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 17, 2026 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images Stock futures jumped on Monday night as oil prices slid and hope grew that a resolution to the U.S.-Iran war was within reach. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures popped 440 points, or 0.9%. S&P 500 futures gained 0.9%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advan...
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 17, 2026 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images Stock futures jumped on Monday night as oil prices slid and hope grew that a resolution to the U.S.-Iran war was within reach. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures popped 440 points, or 0.9%. S&P 500 futures gained 0.9%, and Nasdaq-100 futures advanced 1.3%. U.S. stock markets were closed Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday. President Donald Trump said Monday that talks with Iran to end the war were "proceeding nicely." That said, he did warn the U.S. could go on the offensive if negotiations break down. Crude prices dropped sharply following Trump's comments. West Texas Intermediate futures were down around 6%. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9% last week to notch its longest weekly winning streak since late 2023. The Dow climbed 2.1%, marking its third weekly gain in four weeks. The Nasdaq rose 0.5% last week, its seventh in eight weeks. "There is no doubt that fundamentals are at least partially responsible for the market rally," wrote Adam Parker, founder of Trivariate Research. "With earnings projected to grow 23% this year, and 16% next year, there's a credible argument to make that despite the increasing projections for earnings, and strong earnings growth, the price-to-forward earnings has been modestly contracting." A decline in oil prices also boosted equities last week. U.S. crude lost 8.4%, marking its worst week since April 17. However, with crude still trading well above the levels seen earlier in the year – and price pressures remaining elevated – investor expectations for easier Federal Reserve policy have been tempered. In fact, traders are pricing in an 8.5% chance of a rate hike in July, up from 0.9% a month ago, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool . 2 Min Ago Stock futures jump at the open Dow Jones Industrial Average futures popped 440 points, or 0.9%. S&P 500 futures gained 0.9%, and Nasdaq-100 f...