Stay up to date with our fundamental analysis report.
Newsletter Header
 
Your Daily Market Brief
May 21, 2026
 
   
  Market Wrap: Stocks, Bonds, Commodities  
 
 
On Wednesday, major U.S. stock indexes rebounded more than 1%, with the S&P 500 rising 79 points (+1.08%) to 7,432, and the Nasdaq 100 up 478 points (+1.66%) to 29,297.

The Dow Jones climbed 645 points (+1.31%) to 50,009.

Nvidia (NVDA) was the market’s focus. The maker of artificial-intelligence-related chips closed 1.30% higher, but dipped about 1% in after-market hours when it released quarterly results.

The company’s first-quarter revenue and earnings exceeded market expectations. Revenue in the company’s data center division doubled from a year earlier to 75.2 billion dollars, accounting for 92% of the company’s total revenue. It also raised its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share from 1 cent previously, and announced a share buyback of 80 billion dollars.

Other tech giants also performed well, with Tesla (TSLA) gaining 3.25%, Amazon (AMZN) up 2.19%, Apple (AAPL) up 1.10%, and Microsoft (MSFT) up 0.87%.

Semiconductor stocks regained some strength, with Arm Holdings (ARM) jumping 15.05%, Intel (INTC) up 7.36%, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) up 8.10%, and Micron (MU) up 4.76%.

Intuit (INTU) closed 3.95% lower, and slid 13% in after-market hours though it reported quarterly results that slightly exceeded market expectations. The financial software giant also announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs, roughly 17% of its workforce.

According to the Federal Reserve’s latest policy-meeting minutes, a majority of central bank officials anticipated that rate hikes would be necessary in the case of elevated inflation, which is caused by rising energy prices linked to the Iran war.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield retreated 8.2 basis points to 4.585%.

European stocks also closed higher, with the DAX 40 increasing 1.38%, the CAC 40 up 1.70%, and the FTSE 100 up 0.99%.

U.S. WTI crude futures fell 5.89 dollars (-5.66%) to 98.26 dollars a barrel, while gold gained 62 dollars (+1.38%) to 4,544 dollars an ounce.
 
 
  Market Wrap: Forex  
 
 
The U.S. dollar weakened against other major currencies, with the index declining to 99.12.

EUR/USD rose 22 pips to 1.1626. Germany's producer price growth accelerated to 1.7% year on year in April, faster than expected.

USD/JPY dipped 16 pips to 158.88.

GBP/USD advanced 43 pips to 1.3436. The U.K. inflation rate eased to 2.8% year on year in April, lower than expected.

AUD/USD gained 45 pips to 0.7154.

USD/CHF declined 19 pips to 0.7869.

Gold price gained 62 dollars (+1.38%) to 4,544 dollars an ounce.

Bitcoin rebounded to levels above 77,000 dollars.
 
 
  Morning Trading  
 
 
In Asian trading hours, AUD/USD retreated to 0.7110. Australia's employment fell 18,600 in April, compared with +10,000 expected, while jobless rate climbed to 4.5%, above 4.3% estimated.

Meanwhile, USD/JPY was little changed at 158.90. Japan's exports rose 14.8% year-on-year in April, above 9.3% expected, while machinery orders dropped 9.4% month-on-month in March, compared with -3.3% estimated.

EUR/USD was broadly steady at 1.1623, while GBP/USD slipped to 1.3425.

Gold eased to 4,536 dollars.

Bitcoin advanced to 77,947 dollars.
 
 
  Expected Today  
 
 
The eurozone's S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index is expected to slip to 51.5 in May, while the services index is estimated to improve to 48.0.

U.K. S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index is expected to drop to 53.2 in May and the services index is estimated to slip to 51.7.

In the U.S., housing starts are expected to be down 3.5% month-on-month in April and building permits are anticipated to grow 0.5%, while the weekly initial jobless claims are estimated at 210,000. Also, the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index is anticipated to decline to 19.0 in May, while the S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index is expected to drop to 53.0 and the services index is estimated to edge up to 51.1.
 
 
 
 
Web TV from Trading Central
 
 
 
AUD/USD Intraday: Downside Prevails
 
AUD/USD intraday outlook remains bearish following weak Australian employment data.
 
WATCH NOW
 
 
     
 
 

Trading, CFDs, Spread-betting & Options carry risk and could result in the loss of your capital
Ava Trade Markets Ltd is a registered financial services company in the British Virgin Islands and is fully licensed and regulated by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (No.: SIBA/L/13/1049). Read AvaTrade risk disclosure before trading Forex, CFD's, Spread-betting or FX Options. Forex/CFD, Spread-betting & FX Options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Copyright © 2007-2021 Ava Trade Markets Ltd. All rights reserved.

TRADING CENTRAL Terms and conditions

The information provided does not constitute, in any way, a solicitation or incentive to buy or sell securities and similar products. Comments and analysis reflect the views of TRADING CENTRAL at any given time and are subject to change at any time. Moreover, they can not constitute a commitment or guarantee on the part of TRADING CENTRAL. The recipient acknowledges and agrees that by their very nature any investment in a financial instrument is of a random nature and therefore any such investment constitutes a risky investment for which the recipient is solely responsible. It is specified that the past performance of a financial product does not prejudge in any way their future performance. The foreign exchange market and financial derivatives such as futures, CFDs (Contracts for Difference), warrants, turbos or certificates involve a high degree of risk. They require a good level of financial knowledge and experience. TRADING CENTRAL recommends the consultation of a financial professional who would have a perfect knowledge of the financial and personal situation of the recipient of this message and would be able to verify that the financial products mentioned are adapted to the said situation and the financial objectives pursued. TRADING CENTRAL recommends reading the "risk factors" section of the prospectus for any financial product mentioned.

Some translations have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, the translations may not be perfect. Users are encouraged to consult a native speaker or professional translator for critical or sensitive content.

Head of Research at TRADING CENTRAL: Rémy GAUSSENS

TRADING CENTRAL is governed by the code of conduct of the association ANACOFI-CIF, association approved by the Financial Markets Authority and registered with ORIAS under number 17005458.

In the United States, TRADING CENTRAL AMERICAS, INC. is a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under IARD/CRD number 801-67210. Services are provided in the United States by TRADING Central Americas, Inc. TRADING Central will provide a copy of its most recent written disclosure statement without charge upon written request. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver or limitation of any U.S. person's rights under relevant U.S. federal or state laws.

In Asia, TRADING CENTRAL ASIA LTD has received a license (number AWI815) from the Hong Kong-based Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to conduct “Type 4” and “Type 5” regulated activities (Advising on Securities and Futures).

TRADING CENTRAL recommends that you read the legal and regulatory information and warnings about the information provided by visiting the following link : terms_of_use_web_sites_en.pdf

Headquarters of the publisher : TRADING CENTRAL SA, 11 bis rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
RCS : PARIS B 423 512 607 VAT N° FR 174 235 12607
 
 
 
 
Client Logo
 
AvaTrade
Five Lamps Place
77-80 Amiens St, Dublin 1
DO1A742 Ireland
Trading Central