S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 hit new all‑time highs. Bitcoin remains resilient

On Friday, the US stock market posted a sharp rise. By the end of the session, the Dow Jones (US30) slipped 0.31%, while the S&P 500 (US500) gained 0.29%. The tech‑heavy Nasdaq 100 (US100) closed 0.94% higher. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 updated their all‑time highs. Apple shares rose more than 3% thanks to strong earnings and upbeat guidance, supported by robust iPhone sales and stable performance in the Chinese market. In the energy sector, ExxonMobil and Chevron posted moderate gains after reporting profits above expectations. Tech stocks remained in focus as well: Meta stabilized after recent declines, and Nvidia added over 1% amid ongoing discussions about AI‑related investment prospects.

In the first week of May, investors will face a new wave of corporate earnings, with major companies from technology, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and entertainment set to report. At the same time, market attention will shift to US macroeconomic data, with a full set of labor‑market indicators scheduled for release. These include the April nonfarm payrolls report, ADP employment data, Q1 productivity and labor‑cost figures, and job‑openings statistics. Expectations point to slower job growth compared to March, moderate wage acceleration, and unemployment remaining broadly unchanged.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) surpassed $80,000, hitting a three‑month high amid a broad rally in risk assets. Investor sentiment was boosted by progress in the US Senate on stablecoin regulation, seen as a key step toward legitimizing the digital assets industry. Institutional demand also supported the move: US spot ETFs recorded $630 million in weekly inflows, underscoring the asset’s resilience after a 12% gain in April. Geopolitical tensions remain extremely high. Donald Trump’s statement about providing military escort for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz triggered a sharp protest from Tehran, which viewed it as a violation of the ceasefire. Despite ongoing volatility in the conflict zone weighing on traditional markets, Bitcoin continues to act as “digital gold” and an alternative risk asset, largely ignoring escalation risks.

Most European markets were closed on Friday due to a banking holiday. The only major index trading was the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100), which ended the day 0.14% lower. After a busy end to April, marked by key economic data, central‑bank decisions, and corporate earnings, Europe’s early‑May agenda will be somewhat calmer. With rate‑hold decisions already announced, attention will shift to the next steps from regulators: central banks of Sweden and Norway will publish their decisions, while the ECB will release analytical materials and projections accompanied by speeches from policymakers. A key macroeconomic event will be Germany’s foreign‑trade data, where a decline in the trade surplus is expected due to higher energy prices and increased imports. Additional insight into industrial conditions will come from production and order figures, which may show signs of recovery. The UK will release housing‑market data, while Switzerland will publish inflation, unemployment, and consumer‑sentiment indicators. Meanwhile, earnings season continues for major European companies in the banking, industrial, and energy sectors.

On Friday, WTI crude prices fell to nearly $101 per barrel, partially giving back weekly gains amid rising expectations that the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran may evolve into a more stable agreement. Reports emerged of a new proposal from Tehran, and Donald Trump noted progress in negotiations, though he expressed doubts about reaching a final deal. Markets are also watching the political dimension: the US president faces a 60‑day limit under the War Powers Act, requiring either congressional approval or troop withdrawal. The administration maintains that the ceasefire has effectively halted active hostilities. Since the conflict began in late February, oil prices have surged nearly 60%, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz significantly reduced global supply.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose 0.38% on Friday. China’s FTSE China A50 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) were closed, while Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) gained 0.74%.

This week in China, market attention will focus on April foreign‑trade data, which will help assess the impact of the Middle East conflict on the country’s economy, as well as private‑sector activity indicators, including services PMIs. In Japan, investors will analyze the minutes of the March central‑bank meeting for clues on future policy and monitor wage‑growth trends.

In Australia, another rate hike is expected amid rising inflationary pressures linked to global risks. Across the region, a large batch of macroeconomic releases is scheduled, including inflation, GDP, labor‑market data, foreign‑trade figures, and manufacturing PMIs, offering a broader view of economic conditions in Asia and neighboring regions.