By JustMarkets
US stock indices were not traded yesterday due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Equity markets in Europe mostly went up yesterday. The German DAX (DE40) rose by 0.44%, the French CAC 40 (FR40) closed with a 0.46% gain, the Spanish IBEX 35 (ES35) added 0.71%, the British FTSE 100 (UK100) was not traded.
On Monday, European stocks closed with solid gains, cutting the previous week’s losses as expectations of monetary easing in the Eurozone gained momentum. Traders are awaiting German and Eurozone inflation data this week, which could bolster expectations that the European Central Bank will start cutting rates next week. The ECB is expected to cut interest rates next week, and disinflation confidence from the Governing Council has raised equity investors’ hopes that the ECB will continue to cut interest rates in the third quarter. Also in favor of the dovish outlook was Ifo’s German Business Climate Indicator, which came in below expectations and halted three months of growth.
WTI crude oil prices rose to $79 a barrel on Tuesday, pushing back from three-month lows amid expectations that OPEC+ will extend a voluntary production cut of 2.2 million barrels daily in the year’s second half at a June 2 meeting. On the demand side, markets await the release of the key US inflation data this week to gauge the Fed’s future monetary policy actions. A lower-than-expected PCE Price Index reading in the US could lead to higher bets on lower interest rates, supporting the outlook for economic growth and energy demand.
Asian markets were mostly up on Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) was up 0.66%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) decreased by 0.50%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) was up 1.17%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was positive 0.79%. Beijing’s bold move to launch US $47.5 billion worth of chip investment funds continued to support sentiment as China seeks to cement its position as a technology country.
Free Reports:
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
Download Our Metatrader 4 Indicators – Put Our Free MetaTrader 4 Custom Indicators on your charts when you join our Weekly Newsletter
Australian retail sales rose by 0.1% month-on-month in April 2024 versus the market consensus of 0.2%. This was a bounce-back from a 0.4% drop in March amid earlier Easter celebrations and different school vacation timings across the country.
S&P 500 (US500) 5,304.72 0 (0%)
Dow Jones (US30) 39,069.59 0 (0%)
DAX (DE40) 18,774.71 +81.34 (+0.44%)
FTSE 100 (UK100) 8,317.59 0 (0%)
USD Index 104.59 −0.13 (−0.13%)
- – Australia Retail Sales (m/m) at 04:30 (GMT+3);
- – US FOMC Member Bowman Speaks at 07:55 (GMT+3);
- – US FOMC Member Mester Speaks at 07:55 (GMT+3);
- – Switzerland SNB Board Jordan Speaks at 07:55 (GMT+3);
- – US CB Consumer Confidence (m/m) at 17:00 (GMT+3).
By JustMarkets
This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

- S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 hit new all‑time highs. Bitcoin remains resilient May 4, 2026
- Week Ahead: Gold Futures/Index set for May mayhem? May 4, 2026
- Gold Supported by Cautious Optimism May 4, 2026
- Strong corporate earnings boosted the indices. The ECB and the Bank of England left rates unchanged May 1, 2026
- WTI oil prices exceeded 107 dollars per barrel. Inflation expectations continue to rise. Apr 30, 2026
- RoboForex Expands CFD Offering with Cryptocurrency Instruments Apr 29, 2026
- WTI oil prices have consolidated at 100 dollars per barrel. Australia is experiencing a sharp inflation spike Apr 29, 2026
- EUR/USD Holds Steady Ahead of Fed Meeting, Focus on Middle East Outlook Apr 29, 2026
- European stock markets continue a prolonged decline. Oil prices continue to rise slowly Apr 28, 2026
- Yen Gains Support Following Bank of Japan Decision Apr 28, 2026