Key Takeaways:
- Bitcoin rebounded to $109K, supported by renewed ETF inflows and growing regulatory optimism.
- Gold trades around $3,345, as investors seek safe-haven assets amid geopolitical tensions.
- Tech stocks face pressure, led by Apple’s 3% drop following Trump’s iPhone tariff threat.
- Global sentiment turns cautious with markets reacting to trade risks, inflation concerns, and military instability.
Global tensions and economic uncertainties defined the investors’ final trading week of May. Equity markets found temporary relief as a U.S. tariff hike on EU goods was delayed. However, the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and ambiguous inflation data limited risk appetite.
Meanwhile, Gold remained strong near record highs due to investors seeking safe-haven assets, while Bitcoin saw a significant recovery, driven by renewed ETF inflows and increasing optimism regarding U.S. regulatory clarity.
Cryptocurrency Market
Bitcoin opened the week with a solid rebound, recovering from weekend losses amid strong ETF inflows. Ethereum and other altcoins followed suit, posting modest gains across the market.
- Bitcoin (BTC): $109,715 (+0.85%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,569.95 (+0.67%)
- Solana (SOL): $179.35 (+0.64%)
- XRP (XRP): $2.3 (−0.43%)
Global Indices: Mixed performance as markets weigh tariffs and upcoming data
Major stock indices posted varied results as investors digested the delay in U.S.-EU tariffs and awaited key economic data. Wall Street remained flat, while Asian and European markets showed modest gains.
- S&P 500: $5,802.82 (−0.62%)
- Dow Jones: $41,603.00 (−0.61%)
- Nasdaq: $18,737.93 (-1.00%)
- Nikkei 225: $37,426.08 (+0.37%)
- Euronext 100: $1,592.13 (−0.43%)
- FTSE 100: $8,717.97 (+0.24%)
Commodities: Gold holds steady as conflict escalates, oil edges higher
Gold continued to attract safe-haven flows amid ongoing violence in Ukraine and renewed concerns about U.S. fiscal credibility, keeping it firmly above $3,340. Meanwhile, Oil saw minor gains following cautious optimism around U.S.-EU trade talks.
- Gold: $3,349.85 (-0.29%)
- Brent Crude: $63.89 (+0.49%)
- WTI Crude: $61.69 (+0.11%)
Individual Stocks: Tech giants struggle as trade fears mount
Tech giants have been flashing red for several consecutive sessions, pressured by escalating trade tensions and investor caution.
Notably, Apple shares fell 3% to $195.27 on Friday, after President Donald Trump threatened a 25% tariff on iPhones manufactured outside the U.S., urging the company to relocate production domestically . This announcement wiped approximately $70 billion off Apple’s market capitalization.
- Tesla (TSLA): $339.34 (−0.50%)
- Amazon (AMZN): $200.99 (-1.04%)
- Apple (AAPL): $201.36 (−3.14%)
- Meta (META): $627.57 (-1.07%)
Market Wrap-Up
Trade threats and tensions drive defensive positioning
Global markets continue to tread cautiously amid rising geopolitical risks and renewed trade threats. Bitcoin’s recovery above $109K reflects sustained institutional confidence, while gold remains firmly supported as investors seek protection against fiscal instability and regional conflict.
Tech stocks, particularly Apple, came under pressure following tariff remarks from Donald Trump, adding to broader risk aversion.
With volatility persisting across sectors and key economic signals still unfolding, sentiment leans defensive as uncertainty takes over the market.
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