Financial Markets Daily Report29 abril 2026
Markets remained caught between geopolitical tensions and a key run of central bank meetings. With no progress reported in US–Iran negotiations, energy prices moved higher, with Brent crude rising above USD 110/bbl for the first time in three weeks. Risk sentiment stayed subdued, while concerns over the inflationary impact of higher energy costs persisted.
Sovereign bond yields edged higher as investors focused on monetary policy. The BoJ left rates unchanged at 0.75% yesterday, though three dissenting votes in favour of hikes underscored a more hawkish backdrop. Futures markets continue to price in two hikes in 2026. Attention now turns to the Fed meeting today, where rates are expected to remain unchanged.
Equity markets closed mostly lower globally. In the US, stocks were further weighed by weakness in the technology sector, after reports that OpenAI missed internal targets for users and sales, reigniting concerns around the AI trade and leading the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to retreat from recent historic highs.