A busy week ahead!
Key Market Drivers:
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U.S. Q1 GDP (Wednesday): First estimate of U.S. economic growth — a major catalyst for equities, bonds, and USD.
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PCE Price Index (Thursday): The Fed’s key inflation gauge — critical for interest rate expectations and future Fed policy moves.
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U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls (Friday): April employment report — expected to spark volatility across all markets (stocks, USD, bonds, gold).
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Big Tech Earnings (All Week): Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon report — tech sector performance could strongly influence the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
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FX Markets: Watch U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) reaction to economic data. Possible moves in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and JPY crosses.
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Commodities:
Gold: Sensitive to inflation data, Fed outlook, and risk sentiment.
Crude Oil: Watching demand signals from economic reports and ongoing geopolitical developments.
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Equity Markets: Earnings-driven volatility plus macro data could create sharp moves — stay alert for sector rotations (tech vs. defensives).
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Reduced Liquidity (Thursday): Labor Day holidays across Europe and parts of Asia — expect lower volumes, higher volatility.
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Geopolitical/Trade Watch: New U.S. tariffs set to expire Friday — any developments here could impact global risk sentiment and trade-related stocks.
Trending on Social Media this morning:
USA: CocaCola, Google, Palantir, Robin Hood, Tesla, sectors: deep sea mining stocks
UK: Tesla, sectors: Gold mining stocks, defence stocks.
AUD: Boeing, Tesla, Palantir,
Chart of the week: Palantir $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$
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Is a U.S. software company specializing in big data analytics and artificial intelligence.
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It builds platforms like Gotham (for governments and defense) and Foundry (for businesses across industries).
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Palantir helps organizations integrate, manage, and analyze massive data to support real-time decision-making.
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It’s expanding rapidly into commercial sectors alongside its traditional government contracts.
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Current Issues: Palantir faces scrutiny over its involvement in developing ImmigrationOS, a surveillance platform for U.S. immigration enforcement. This project has raised significant civil liberties concerns and could impact the company's reputation and future government contracts. El País
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Opportunities: The company is expanding its footprint in the AI sector, notably through a partnership with Google Cloud to offer FedRAMP-authorized services to U.S. federal agencies. Additionally, Palantir's upcoming earnings report on May 5 is anticipated to show substantial growth, with analysts expecting a 62% profit increase in Q1, driven by a 36% revenue rise
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Chart: Up 53% YTD. Consensus: Bullish, Targets: Upside: Highs at 123 / 124 USD, then: 140, 148, 160. Downsides:102 USD, then 95, 88 (Point of control 2025), 80.
US Earnings to watch this week:
Major tech players reporting this week! MSFT, $Meta Platforms, Inc.(META)$ $Apple(AAPL)$ , AMZN!
Stock markets:
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One of the best weeks for US stocks last week - can it continue into this week with major earnings coming out and all the geopolitical risks floating around at the moment?
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Hong Kong stock market currently the global leader.
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UK time morning - most markets starting the week negative.
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Index strength 2025:
S&P500:
Commodities:
GOLD:
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Outlook: Gold prices have recently experienced significant volatility, reaching a record high of $3,500 per ounce before retreating to around $3,300. This fluctuation is attributed to easing U.S.-China trade tensions and a stabilizing U.S. dollar.
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Key Considerations: Investors are closely monitoring upcoming U.S. economic data, including GDP and Nonfarm Payrolls, which could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions. A weaker-than-expected GDP report may bolster gold prices as a safe-haven asset.
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Chart:
OIL: WTI
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Outlook: WTI crude oil is trading around $63.28 per barrel, with traders awaiting the outcome of the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on May 5. A potential breakout above $63.67 could lead to further gains, while a drop below $62.27 may signal a downturn.
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Key Considerations: Market participants are weighing the implications of potential OPEC+ production increases and global economic indicators. Additionally, geopolitical developments, such as Iran's nuclear talks and Middle East tensions, are contributing to market uncertainty.
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Grains - consolidating?
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Cattle - moving to new highs
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Softs - Sugar - climbing to 2 week highs on Brazil crop concerns. Cocoa going higher again on slowing Ivory Coast exports? Coffee remaining bullish?
Forex:
GBP - picking up strength as is JPY and USD. NZD, CHF, AUD weakening - potential trades: +GBPAUD + GBPNZD, -AUDUSD, - AUDJPY, -NZDUSD, -NZDJPY
Scheduled economic news events to watch out for this week: (Times = GMT)
If you’d like to find out more about what I do, Renko charts etc then check these out::
📘 My new book available from my bookstore: Renko Chart Trading Revolution — the foundation behind this forecast : THE STOP HUNTER BOOKSTORE
🎥 YouTube: [@TheStopHunter] – THE STOP HUNTER
🌐 Website: [www.thestophunter.co.uk] – tools, training, and book releases
Good luck with the trading!
Stephen
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