CNBC — 2026-05-05#

Lead Story#

Artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks dominated Tuesday’s session as Advanced Micro Devices soared 15% on data center growth, Micron eclipsed a $700 billion valuation, and Super Micro Computer spiked 18% on a guidance beat. The massive tech rally helped the S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at record highs, even as investors navigated rapidly shifting U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions.

Markets & Economics#

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs after oil prices dropped from earlier spikes, driven by the U.S. pausing “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz amid progress on an Iran peace deal. On the economic front, Job openings and labor turnover comes in at 6.86 million; new home sales rise to 682,000, with the hiring rate jumping to 3.5%, signaling a potential thaw in the frozen labor market. Abroad, the Reserve Bank of Australia hiked rates to 4.35% to combat energy-driven inflation, prompting strategists to warn that Central banks ‘on verge of policy mistake territory’ if they induce a global recession over an oil supply shock. Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Scott criticized Jerome Powell’s decision to remain on the Fed board past his term as a “significant mistake” that breaks 75 years of precedent.

2026-05-06

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

CNBC — 2026-05-06#

Lead Story#

The U.S. and Iran are nearing a 14-point memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war, a framework that would mandate a moratorium on nuclear enrichment and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This potential diplomatic breakthrough triggered a massive relief rally in global equities and a sharp plunge in crude oil prices, though President Donald Trump cautioned that it remains a “big assumption” that Tehran will finalize the agreement.

2026-05-07

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

CNBC — 2026-05-07#

Lead Story#

Geopolitics ruled the tape as the U.S. and Iran wavered on a 14-point peace proposal, triggering wild swings in crude oil and bringing the U.S. Navy back to the Strait of Hormuz to escort a Maersk: Ship passes Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military protection commercial vessel. The conflict’s toll was laid bare during earnings, with Shell CEO says oil market is short 1 billion barrels due to Iran war warning the market is short nearly 1 billion barrels of oil, while Whirlpool says Iran war causing ‘recession-level industry decline.’ The shares are down 12% blamed the war for a “recession-level industry decline” as soaring gas prices choke consumer spending.

2026-05-08

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

CNBC — 2026-05-08#

Lead Story#

Apple and Intel are reportedly closing in on a monumental deal for Intel to manufacture some iPhone chips, signaling a major shift in the semiconductor landscape and sending Intel shares surging 14%.

Markets & Economics#

The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, beating expectations of 55,000 but slowing from March’s unusually strong 185,000 additions, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Reacting to the Jobs report April 2026, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee characterized the labor market as stable but raised alarms over inflation climbing rather than falling over the last three months. These sticky price pressures—exacerbated by a fresh record low in consumer sentiment linked to surging gas prices from the Iran conflict—suggest the Federal Reserve is rapidly running out of reasons to cut interest rates. Despite the geopolitical turbulence and the central bank’s increasingly hawkish posture, the S&P 500 crossed 7,400 for the first time. Traders are shrugging off the U.S. and Iran trading fire in the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead to lean into the new ‘NACHO’ (Not A Chance Hormuz Opens) trade and betting that AI momentum outweighs macro risks.

Markets & Economics#

The April Consumer Price Index rose 0.6% month-over-month, lifting the annual inflation rate to 3.8% as energy, shelter, and food costs surged. Following the hot print, fed funds futures markets are now pricing in a roughly 37% chance that the Federal Reserve’s next move will be a rate hike before the end of the year. In Washington, the Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as Fed Governor vote cleared the chamber, paving the way for his expected confirmation as Chair later this week. Meanwhile, oil markets remain on edge as President Trump declared the U.S.-Iran ceasefire on “life support,” sending West Texas Intermediate crude back above $100 per barrel.

2026-05-13

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

CNBC — 2026-05-13#

Lead Story#

Wholesale inflation came in blazing hot for April just as Kevin Warsh was confirmed as the new Federal Reserve chair in a historically tight Senate vote. The 6% annual jump in producer prices complicates the path forward for the central bank and sends a clear signal that the inflation fight is far from over.

Markets & Economics#

The Producer Price Index accelerated by a seasonally adjusted 1.4% in April, far exceeding the 0.5% consensus estimate. This sent the 10-year Treasury yield up to 4.49%, its highest level since July. In “Wholesale inflation jumps 6% in April on annual basis, biggest increase since 2022”, analysts noted that energy costs are driving the pain, a sentiment echoed in “This $90-to-$120 oil environment is probably with us for quite some time” regarding the ongoing Iran conflict. Consequently, “Fmr. CEA Chair Jared Bernstein on if there’s a ‘potential persistence problem’ with inflation” and “Fed’s Collins: Sees some scenario where the Fed could be tightening” highlighted the growing reality that rates will remain elevated. Despite the macroeconomic headwinds, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both notched new all-time highs, powered largely by the semiconductor and AI trade.

2026-05-14

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

International markets took a severe hit as the rotation out of the “Magnificent Seven” bled into global equities, headlined by historic drops in memory chip giants SK Hynix and Samsung that triggered a 10% plunge in South Korea’s Kospi. Concurrently, the U.S. Treasury issued a 60-day sanctions waiver allowing Iranian oil sales, easing energy supply concerns and unlocking billions in revenue for Tehran as peace talks progress. Domestically, the S&P manufacturing PMI printed better than expected at 55.7, but underlying data revealed factory job cuts running at their highest levels since 2009 amid escalating costs. Adding to the geopolitical momentum, the U.S. Senate advanced an Iran war powers resolution to end hostilities, though Republican leaders are demanding a formal vote on any final deal to review potential sanctions relief.