Author: FX
Fars is reporting that Israel will announce it’s commitment to a ceasefire at 4 AM Beirut time (it is 10:15 PM now in Beirut). The announcement gives a path to peace talks between the US and Iran this weekend…WHat to expect?The U.S. position, led by JD Vance, is centered on security and stability. The primary goal is to eliminate any pathway for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, which means strict limits—or potentially a halt—to uranium enrichment, backed by strong verification and inspection measures. The U.S. is also pushing for the reopening and protection of the Strait of Hormuz to…
The S&P 500 is struggling to hold onto what would mark its eighth consecutive day of gains on Friday. The index rose 0.2% by lunchtime, aided by a slightly lower core Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading than expected and expectations of a negotiated settlement between the US and Iran over the coming weekend, only to sink to -0.1% by the late afternoon. The S&P 500 has risen nearly 8% off its March 30 lows over the past eight sessions, particularly boosted by the initial call for a ceasefire on Tuesday evening. US Vice-President JD Vance is heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, with…
Gold (XAU/USD) price remains steady on Friday, poised to finish the week with gains of almost 2% as the US Dollar tumbles amid optimism about Iran-US talks in Pakistan throughout the weekend. Also, a mildly high US inflation report trimmed the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) dovish bets for 2026. The XAU/USD pair trades at $4,763, up 0.01%.Gold’s faith in US-Iran talksAn improvement in risk appetite pushed bullion prices higher, even though Israel’s attacks on Lebanon continued, threatening to end the two-week ceasefire agreed by the US and Iran. On the other hand, Tehran has also failed to open the Strait of…
The price of crude oil is settling at $96.57. That is down $-1.30 or -1.33% on the day.For the week, the price is down $-16 or -14.29%. The price is also below the 100 and 200 hour moving averages at $102.87 and $103.57. The big catalyst was the announcement of a cease-fire and the potential for the re-opening of the Straits of Hormuz. Although, not fully open (it is virtually closed still), the market is discounting some sort of reopening soon). The June contract is trading at $89.13.The price low on February 26 came in at $63.81, just ahead of…
Prior month -$308 billion Federal budget deficit $164 billion versus $156.75 billion estimate. A year ago, the deficit was $161 billionDetails:Fiscal 2026 year-to-date deficit $1.169 trillion versus $1.307 trillion in 2025. Down 11% YoYMarch Net customs receipts and $22.16 billionBudget outlays $549 billion versus $528 billion in March 2025Receipt $385 billion, record for month of March, versus $368 billion in March 2025.Corporate refunds up 77%individual refunds up 9%Defense spending 3% higher compared to one year agoSome additional looks:War-related outlays, such as for replenishing weapons inventories, would come in later months.Customs duty collections softened in the month following the U.S. Supreme…
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority is reporting that PM Netanyahu approves every attack launched in Beiriut (Lebanon).Pres. Trump is trying to get Israel and Netanyahu stop the attacks in Lebanon on Hezbollah. According to this report if there are additional tariffs, the buck stops at Netanyahu (and threatens the peace process).As we head into the weekend, stocks are giving back earlier gains, with both the Dow and S&P slipping into negative territory. The Dow is down -0.63% and the S&P is lower by -0.19%. The NASDAQ is still holding modest gains of +0.17%, but well off its session highs where it…
The major European indices are closing the day with mixed results. The gains were led by Italy’s FTSE MIB which is closing just below its all-time high price reached back to 2000 at 48909.04.Spain’s Ibex close at 18204.31, which is getting close to its all-time high close of 18573.83. A look at the daily closes showsGerman DAX (DEU40): -0.01% France’s CAC 40 (CAC40): +0.17% UK’s FTSE 100 (UKX): -0.03% Spain’s IBEX 35 (IBC): +0.55% Italy’s FTSE MIB (FTMIB): +0.59%for the trading week, the indices are all higher: German DAX, +2.74%France’s CAC, +3.73%.UK’s FTSE 100 +1.57%Spain’s Ibex, +3.69%Italy’s FTSE MIB, +4.35%…
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said in a post on X on Friday that two previously agreed measures, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets, must be implemented before negotiations begin.Qalibaf posted on X:“Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.”Market reactionThe US Dollar Index (DXY) fell towards 98.60 earlier in the day, but seems little changed by the news. US Dollar Price…
Small-cap healthcare stocks with A+ grade EPS revisions ahead of earnings Source link
FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWUSD:The US dollar sold off across the board on Wednesday after Trump announced on Truth Social a two-sided ceasefire agreement for two weeks while the US and Iran negotiate a lasting peace deal. Since then, the price action became more rangebound due to Israeli attacks against Lebanon which the Iranians have been saying was part of the ceasefire agreement. The good news is that Iran held off from retaliating ahead of the peace talks in Islamabad this weekend. But the uncertainty has been keeping the markets in check, nonetheless. Everything hinges on these peace talks as the restart of…