Here are today's directional views from the global research desks of Ventura Prime FX! These are starting points for your own research to identify opportunities that make sense for you.
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DAILY NEWS BRIEF - MARKET OUTLOOK
May 18, 2026
 
   
 
Crude Oil (WTI)   Gold   GBP/USD   USD/JPY   EUR/USD   Silver   Dow Jones (CME)   S&P 500 (CME)  
 
 
  Market Wrap  
 
  Market Wrap: Stocks, Bonds, Commodities  
 
 
On Friday, major U.S. stock index retreated more than 1%, with the S&P 500 falling 92 points (-1.24%) to 7,408, and the Nasdaq 100 down 455 points (-1.54%) to 29,125.

The Dow Jones declined 537 points (-1.07%) to 49,526.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield surged 11.4 basis points to 4.597%, the highest level in one year. Investors started to worry that the Federal Reserve may hike interest rates amid increasing inflation pressure.

Technology stocks were broadly lower at close, with Tesla (TSLA) losing 4.75%, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) down 5.69%, Intel (INTC) down 6.18%, and Micron (MU) down 6.62%.

Nvidia (NVDA) lost 4.42%. The semiconductor giant will report quarterly results in after-market hours on Wednesday (May 20).

Microsoft (MSFT) rose 3.05%, while Alphabet (GOOGL) dropped 1.07%.

Bill Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square loaded up Microsoft shares while exiting its position in Alphabet entirely.

Meanwhile, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) increased its stake in Alphabet while selling out Visa (V), Mastercard (MA) and UnitedHealth (UNH).

Boeing (BA) sank a further 3.80% after losing over 4% in the prior session. U.S. President Donald Trump said China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets, but investors thought that the order was not big enough.

Figma (FIG), a collaborative web-based design platform, jumped 13.24% on better-than-expected quarterly results.

European stocks closed sharply lower, with the DAX 40 sliding 2.07%, the CAC 40 down 1.60%, and the FTSE 100 down 1.71%.

In early Asian trading hours on Monday, U.S. WTI crude futures for July delivery traded higher to 102.23 dollars a barrel, while gold remained subdued at 4,548 dollars an ounce after sliding over 2% Friday.
 
 
  Market Wrap: Forex  
 
 
In early Asian trading hours on Monday, the U.S. dollar remained very firm, boosted by surging Treasury yields. The dollar index held up at 99.28.

U.S. industrial production grew 0.7% month on month in April (vs +0.1% expected, -0.3% in March).

Also, the New York State manufacturing index rose to 19.6 in May, higher than expected.

EUR/USD eased further to 1.1622. The forex pair closed lower every day last week.

USD/JPY remained elevated at 158.79.

GBP/USD was lower at 1.3317.

AUD/USD traded at 0.7151 after falling over 1% on Friday.

USD/CHF was stable at 0.7868, and USD/CAD advanced to 1.3751.

Bitcoin crossed below the level of 78,000 dollars.
 
 
  Morning Trading  
 
 
In Asian trading hours, EUR/USD and GBP/USD both remained subdued, at 1.1615 and 1.3310 respectively.

Data showed that China's industrial production rose 4.1% year-on-year in April, below 5.5% expected, and retail sales grew 0.2%, below 2.2% estimated.

Meanwhile, USD/JPY climbed to 158.90.

Gold stayed under pressure at a 2-week low of 4,529 dollars.

Bitcoin slipped to 77,104 dollars.
 
 
  Expected Today  
 
 
In the U.S., the NAHB housing market index is expected to climb to 35 in May.
 
 
 
 
  Please note that due to market volatility, some of the key levels may have already been reached and scenarios played out.
 
 
     
 
Crude Oil (WTI)‎ (N6)‎ intraday: intraday support around 100.80.
 
Pivot:
100.80
 
Our preference:
Long positions above 100.80 with targets at 104.30 & 105.50 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Below 100.80 look for further downside with 99.40 & 98.10 as targets.
 
Comment:
Even though a continuation of the consolidation cannot be ruled out, its extent should be limited.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
Gold intraday: limited upside.
 
Pivot:
4511
 
Our preference:
Long positions above 4511 with targets at 4569 & 4583 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Below 4511 look for further downside with 4487 & 4473 as targets.
 
Comment:
The RSI is mixed to bullish.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
GBP/USD intraday: technical rebound in a bearish trend.
 
Pivot:
1.3395
 
Our preference:
Short positions below 1.3395 with targets at 1.3300 & 1.3280 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Above 1.3395 look for further upside with 1.3410 & 1.3445 as targets.
 
Comment:
Even though a continuation of the technical rebound cannot be ruled out, its extent should be limited.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
USD/JPY intraday: the upside prevails.
 
Pivot:
158.50
 
Our preference:
Long positions above 158.50 with targets at 159.05 & 159.40 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Below 158.50 look for further downside with 158.25 & 157.95 as targets.
 
Comment:
Intraday technical indicators are mixed and call for caution.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
EUR/USD intraday: key resistance at 1.1655.
 
Pivot:
1.1655
 
Our preference:
Short positions below 1.1655 with targets at 1.1605 & 1.1575 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Above 1.1655 look for further upside with 1.1670 & 1.1695 as targets.
 
Comment:
Even though a continuation of the technical rebound cannot be ruled out, its extent should be limited.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
Silver intraday: technical rebound in a bearish trend.
 
Pivot:
74.50
 
Our preference:
Long positions above 74.50 with targets at 77.25 & 79.00 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Below 74.50 look for further downside with 73.80 & 73.40 as targets.
 
Comment:
The RSI is supported by a bullish trend line.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
Dow Jones (CME)‎ (M6)‎ intraday: the downside prevails.
 
Pivot:
49580
 
Our preference:
Short positions below 49580 with targets at 49140 & 48950 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Above 49580 look for further upside with 49850 & 50050 as targets.
 
Comment:
The RSI is below its neutrality area at 50%
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
 
 
 
S&P 500 (CME)‎ (M6)‎ intraday: the downside prevails.
 
Pivot:
7440
 
Our preference:
Short positions below 7440 with targets at 7375 & 7349 in extension.
 
Alternative scenario:
Above 7440 look for further upside with 7470 & 7496 as targets.
 
Comment:
The RSI lacks momentum.
 
Analyst Views Chart
 
Trade
 
 
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