In today’s episode of Market Brief – After Hours, global markets end the week under heavy pressure as oil prices surge above $100 amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and fears over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. The Dow slips further to fresh 2026 lows while the S&P 500 extends its losing streak and the Nasdaq struggles as investors rotate away from growth stocks during rising energy costs and persistent inflation concerns.
We break down slowing US economic momentum after GDP growth was revised sharply lower, while inflation remains stubbornly elevated with Core PCE still above the Federal Reserve’s target. Across Europe, equities retreat as UK GDP stagnates and eurozone industrial production unexpectedly contracts, highlighting the economic strain from higher energy prices.
The episode also includes detailed Forex technical analysis across EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD and USD/CAD, with key moving averages signalling increasing bearish pressure in major currencies. Plus, major stock movers including sharp declines in Ulta Beauty, Adobe, and Insulet, insider-driven gains in Klarna, and strength in crypto-linked equities such as Galaxy Digital, MARA Holdings, MicroStrategy, and Coinbase as Bitcoin climbs to a one-week high.
","author_name":"Arshia Hadidi"}