S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Paul Atkins Emphasizes Global Regulatory Cooperation at Fintech Conference 
Bank of Korea Expected to Hold Interest Rates as Weak Won Limits Policy Easing 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Markets React as Tensions Rise Between White House and Federal Reserve Over Interest Rate Pressure 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
Not many economic data and events scheduled for today but some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Japan: Labor cash earnings declined by 0.4 percent y/y in March.
- Australia: Retail sales declined by 0.1 percent in March.
Upcoming:
- Switzerland: Unemployment report for April will be released at 5:45 GMT.
- Germany: March Industrial production report will be released at 6:00 GMT, along with trade balance report.
- France: France will release March budget report at 6:45 GMT.
- Italy: Italy will release March retail sales report at 8:00 GMT.
- Australia: Australia will release the budget report at 9:30 GMT.
- Canada: Building permits report for March will be released at 12:30 GMT.
- United States: Redbook index will be updated at 12:55 GMT, followed by the release of JOLTS jobs report and TIPP economic optimism report at 14:00 GMT. FOMC’s Rosengren is scheduled to speak at 17:00 GMT and Kaplan at 20:15 GMT.
- New Zealand: Electronic card retail sales report will be released at 22:45 GMT.
