SVET Markets Weekly Update – April 20–26, 2026

On Week 17, stocks went to new record highs again while crypto was up too.

On Monday, stocks dipped, snapping last week’s rally as Middle East tensions resurfaced and energy risks rose. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell about 1%, while the Dow slipped less than 1%. Iran backtracked on easing Strait of Hormuz access, and a US strike on an Iranian ship hurt peace talks. Big tech led losses, with Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, and Oracle down about 2%, Tesla 3%, and Intel 1%. Crypto rose: Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP each gained about 3%.

On Tuesday, stocks dropped, extending the pullback from record highs as rising energy costs and Middle East risks weighed. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq slipped less than 1% after earlier highs. Oil climbed on fears Hormuz exports stay halted, while stronger jobs and retail data (on 15% increase of gas prices) pushed yields up. Apple dropped 2% on a CEO shift, Tesla and Nvidia fell about 1%, while Amazon rose 2% on a $20B AI bet and UnitedHealth jumped 9%. Crypto was mixed, with XRP up about 1%.

On Wednesday, stocks hit records as Trump extended the Iran ceasefire indefinitely, easing energy fears. The S&P 500 climbed 1%, the Nasdaq 2% (driven by an AI surge), and the Dow rose 1%. Tech leaders like Broadcom and AMD jumped 5% to 8%, while GE Vernova soared 13%. Boeing gained 5% on improved cash flow, and Apple rose 2% under new leadership. In crypto, Ether and Bitcoin both grew 3%, while Binance increased 2%.

On Thursday, stocks fell as Middle East tensions and mixed earnings disrupted the rally. The Nasdaq 100 dropped 1%, S&P 500 and Dow each fell less than 1%. Oil surged past $106 per barrel. Tech stocks dragged: Tesla fell 4%, IBM plunged 8%, ServiceNow tumbled 17%, Microsoft slid 4%. Texas Instruments jumped 19%. In crypto, Ether led with a drop of less than 2%.

On Friday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, rising 1% and 2% on US–Iran peace hopes and Intel’s 23% surge. Conversely, the Dow fell less than 1%. Despite a slight rise to 50, consumer sentiment hit record lows due to conflict-driven energy costs; inflation expectations jumped to 5%. In crypto, Bitcoin remained stagnant near $78,000, with a daily change of 1%, as the market consolidated toward a psychological $80K railing.

On Week 18, geopolitical tensions and Iran trade talks share the spotlight with a massive earnings week for Big Tech. Central banks, including the Fed and ECB, will set interest rates alongside key GDP and inflation data, while China’s policy meetings and PMIs remain critical for global market sentiment.