NextFin News - May 1, 2026 | U.S. pre-market briefing
1) Pre-Market Performance
U.S. equity futures were mixed ahead of the opening bell. Dow Jones futures traded at 49,968, up 133 points, or 0.27%. S&P 500 futures rose 13.0 points to 7,256.8, up 0.18%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 31.25 points to 27,564.8, down 0.11%.
European equities showed a split tone: the FTSE 100 stood at 10,310.93, down 67.89 points (-0.65%), France’s CAC 40 rose 42.71 points to 8,114.84 (+0.53%), and Germany’s DAX advanced 337.82 points to 24,292.38 (+1.41%).
In commodities, oil remained elevated amid Middle East supply concerns, with Brent crude near $111.23 a barrel and WTI around $105.19–$105.50, holding near four-year highs. Gold stayed supported by geopolitical risk, and the U.S. dollar was softer after mixed macro data alongside a still-hawkish Fed backdrop. apnews.com
2) Macroeconomic Policy and Data
Latest U.S. macro releases show an economy still expanding but with inflation and energy risks keeping the Federal Reserve cautious. First-quarter U.S. GDP growth accelerated at a 2.3% annualized rate, matching Reuters consensus and improving from 0.5% previously, while core PCE remained firm but broadly in line with expectations. ca.investing.com
Labor-market data stayed resilient: weekly initial jobless claims fell to 189,000, well below the 215,000 expected, and continuing claims were roughly in line with the prior week. marketscreener.com
At its April 29 meeting the Fed left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%, citing solid activity and somewhat elevated inflation and noting uncertainty from developments in the Middle East. Market pricing implies rates could stay unchanged through year-end with a potential cut more likely in 2027 than in the near term. kiplinger.com
Overall, firmer GDP, subdued claims, sticky inflation and higher oil prices support a higher-for-longer narrative that may cap valuation expansion in long-duration growth stocks despite strong earnings. marketscreener.com
3) Hot News
- Oil shock remains the dominant macro risk.
Crude prices held near four-year highs as uncertainty around a possible ceasefire involving Iran and the security of regional energy flows keeps inflation concerns front and center for markets. apnews.com
- Wall Street enters May after a powerful rebound.
U.S. stocks ended April with strong gains, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched their biggest monthly advances in years as investors focused on resilient earnings despite geopolitical stress. marketscreener.com
- Central bank caution is weighing on bonds more than equities.
Hawkish signals from central banks have unsettled bond markets while equity investors have been more constructive, particularly toward technology. investing.com
- U.S. energy policy back in focus.
President Donald Trump signed an order authorizing a pipeline project that partially revives Keystone XL, highlighting efforts to expand crude transport capacity as oil prices stay elevated. ca.marketscreener.com
- Investors shift attention to incoming employment and earnings data.
After GDP, PCE and claims, traders are looking to fresh labor-market readings and the next wave of earnings to assess whether fundamentals can offset the inflation impulse from energy. ca.investing.com
4) U.S. Stock Focus
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Amazon — AWS growth beats expectations
Cloud sales growth exceeded Wall Street expectations, aided by enterprise AI spending. Shares rose in volatile after-hours trading after management reiterated its previously discussed $200 billion annual capital expenditure framework remained unchanged. investing.com
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Apple — Quarterly revenue beats, but iPhone supply constraints persist
Apple topped Wall Street estimates with help from Mac demand, but Reuters reported iPhone sales were held back by supply constraints, keeping focus on product mix and execution under incoming CEO John Ternus. investing.com
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Microsoft — Cloud growth in line with expectations
March-quarter cloud revenue growth matched expectations but showed cooler spending trends; some investors were underwhelmed by the pace of Azure improvement and competitive AI concerns. investing.com
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Tesla — Semi production milestone
Tesla said its first Semi rolled off a high-volume production line and reiterated volume production targets for Cybercab robotaxi and Megapack 3 battery system for 2026. investing.com
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Qualcomm — Shares jump on smartphone recovery and AI chip optimism
Shares surged pre-market after investors focused on improving smartphone demand and data-center AI opportunities despite a weak near-term forecast. ca.investing.com
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Eli Lilly — Guidance raised on strong obesity and diabetes drug demand
Better-than-expected first-quarter results and raised full-year profit and revenue outlook were driven by demand for Zepbound, Mounjaro and the newly launched oral GLP-1 pill Foundayo. investing.com
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Pfizer — Late-stage blood cancer trial meets main goal
Pfizer said its multiple myeloma drug Elrexfio met the main goal in a late-stage study, offering a positive clinical catalyst. aol.com
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Visa — Raised full-year earnings forecast
Visa raised its full-year earnings forecast, supporting the payments group and reflecting continued consumer spending resilience. marketscreener.com
Overall, the pre-market tone is constructive but selective: strong corporate earnings and resilient U.S. macro data are supporting risk appetite, while elevated oil prices and a patient Federal Reserve limit the scope for broad-based valuation expansion. ca.investing.com
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