Trump and Powell’s comments keep markets close.
US stocks finished higher on Monday as oil prices rose, as investors reacted to comments from President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the Iran conflict. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose slightly.
The move comes as markets continue to adjust to rising energy prices, by West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbs without falling to around $104 per barrel and Brent crude trading above $108. High oil prices are becoming a major concern, especially as the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz continues.
Investor sentiment is also being shaped by mixed signals from policy makers. Trump has encouraged progress in talks with Iran but warned of a potential escalation, while Powell acknowledged uncertainty about the economic impact of rising oil prices.
In bond markets, the 10-year Treasury yield fell to around 4.35% in line with Powell’s comments, indicating further declines in rate expectations. Meanwhile, the US dollar strengthened slightly, and gold prices rose.
In equities, performance was mixed. Meta Platforms (META) and Eli Lilly (LLY) was among the top earners, while semiconductor names such as Micron (MU) and Western Digital (WDC) it is very limited, it affects a wide range of technologies.
The week was shortened by the Good Friday holiday, though investors will still be watching key data such as the March jobs report for further guidance.
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💬 Market Highlights
Apple Returned to Buy on Strong Product Cycle Expectations
Apple (AAPL) was back on track after Melius Research reiterated its Buy rating, citing a strong product cycle ahead. Analysts believe that Apple is entering one of its best cash flow periods since it launched the large-screen iPhone in 2014, supported by strong free cash flow.
Recently, the company introduced several new products including the iPhone 17e, the updated iPad Air, the new MacBook Air and Pro, Studio Displays, MacBook Neo, and AirPods Max 2. Although the shares rose slightly in the premarket business, the stock is still down about 8% year to date, although it is still up about 12% in the last 12 months.
Qualcomm Faces Smartphone Headlines Despite Switch Efforts
Qualcomm (QCOM) it was initiated with a Neutral rating by Goldman Sachs, indicating a mixed outlook. As the company expands in growth areas such as automobiles, PCs and data centers, these gains are being offset by continued weakness in its core smartphone segment. The firm is losing share among key customers including Apple and Chinese OEMs, as it faces increasing competition from MediaTek.
Moreover, the rising cost of memory is expected to suppress the demand for smartphones in the near future. Goldman Sachs has set a price target of $135, as Qualcomm shares are down 25% year to date.
Palo Alto CEO Warns AI Threats on the Rise, Calls for AI-Based Security
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) CEO Nikesh Arora warned that rapidly developing AI models from companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI are still capable of identifying vulnerabilities in large numbers. He emphasized that this represents a fundamental change in cyber security, where attackers gain a structural advantage due to the scalability and speed of AI.
According to Arora, one bad actor can make attacks that previously required entire teams, while defenders must always be accurate. As a result, he argues that cybersecurity must evolve to include AI-driven security, using integrated data systems, sensors, and platforms to combat the growing number of AI-powered threats.
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Oil prices, political developments, and policy signals from the White House and the Federal Reserve are likely to remain the main drivers of market sentiment going forward.
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