Track the evolution of major financial and economic events
Gulf leaders convened in Saudi Arabia on April 28 to discuss a coordinated response to Iranian strikes. On April 29, the U.S. Treasury warned financial institutions about sanctions risks linked to Chinese refineries, as China purchases about 90% of Iran's oil exports. Tensions escalated with the U.S. conducting military strikes against Iran, while Iran proposed ending the war and lifting sanctions. On May 20, Xi Jinping called for a 'comprehensive ceasefire' in the Middle East.
On April 28, WEX reported an 18.2% increase in adjusted earnings per share to $4.15 for the first quarter of 2026. Loop Capital initiated coverage on WEX with a Buy rating and a price target of $195.00. Additionally, the company raised its 2026 financial guidance and announced plans for $50 million in cost savings.
On April 27, the US 10-year break-even inflation rate is nearing 2.5%. Inflationary pressures are intensifying due to the ongoing closure of the Strait, impacting maritime supply chains.
The Indian rupee recorded its sharpest weekly drop in over three years, depreciating by 1.42% for the week ending April 27. The USD/INR currency pair is expected to open between 94.26 and 94.30 on Monday.
On April 24, Chinese regulators instructed private tech firms to reject U.S. investment in funding rounds unless explicitly approved by the government. The guidance targeted AI startups including Moonshot AI and StepFun, as well as TikTok owner ByteDance regarding secondary share sales. These measures followed Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus for over $2 billion, which triggered national security investigations. On April 27, China prohibited foreign acquisition of Manus and ordered involved parties to cancel the transaction. Additionally, Chinese battery maker CATL launched a $5 billion share offering in Hong Kong.
Electrolux shares fell by 23% during European morning trading on April 24 following the announcement of a net loss. The company also announced plans for a share issuance worth nearly $1 billion.
On April 24, Elon Musk's SpaceX secured a $20 billion bridge loan to refinance a large portion of its existing debt. This financing replaces five existing debt facilities to provide greater flexibility ahead of a planned US IPO.
Canadian producer prices surged in March, driven by a record increase in energy product prices. The escalation of the Iran war also led to significant price hikes for chemicals and energy products.
On April 23, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) initiated a new hiking cycle with a surprise 25bp rate increase. The central bank also revised its inflation forecasts higher due to rising oil prices and geopolitical risks.
On April 23, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders are expected to back Paramount Skydance's offer on Thursday. The offer from Paramount is valued at approximately $81 billion.
Reconstruction costs in Iran are estimated at approximately $270 billion, according to experts. Satellite analysis indicates that more than 7,600 buildings nationwide have been damaged or destroyed. Additionally, inflation in Iran is expected to rise above 70% due to the conflict.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed that the investigation into the Federal Reserve is ongoing despite legal challenges. The Department of Justice plans to appeal a judge's order that blocked subpoenas issued to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. This probe is jeopardizing the confirmation of Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee to replace Jerome Powell.
Corie Barry has stepped down as CEO of Best Buy after years of sluggish growth. Jason Bonfig, a longtime executive at the electronics retailer, has been named her successor.
Gold Fields announced the success of its Salares Norte project, reaching steady-state operations with a production of 397 Koz in 2025. The company achieved an 18% increase in production for the same year, with an adjusted Free Cash Flow of $2.97 billion. Gold Fields also implemented a dividend policy targeting 35% of Free Cash Flow.
On April 21, Society Pass Incorporated received a formal delinquency notice from Nasdaq regarding listing requirements. The company operates as an e-commerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia and is listed under the ticker SOPA.
Alibaba is facing pressure on profit margins due to rising costs and heavy investments in AI and logistics. Profits and cash flow dropped sharply in Q3 FY26. On April 22, Tencent and Alibaba entered talks to invest in the AI startup DeepSeek, which is seeking funding at a valuation exceeding $20 billion.
CrossCountry Mortgage will acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp for $10.80 per share in an all-cash deal. All preferred shares will be redeemed at $25 plus accrued dividends, with Series C offering a 10% yield to maturity. The deal is expected to close by September 2026 following a failed previous merger attempt with UWMC.
Tesla vehicle registrations in California fell by 24.3% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the company's steepest drop in the state to date. This decline indicates a broader slowdown in the electric vehicle sector, as overall zero-emission vehicle sales in California have significantly shrunk.
DNOW shares fell approximately 19% on February 20, 2026, following the disclosure of adverse Q4 and FY 2025 financial results. Law firm Hagens Berman commenced an investigation into potential federal securities law violations regarding the company's prior disclosures. The scrutiny involves a 'reality check' against November comments made by DNOW regarding MRC Global's ERP issues.
On April 21, researcher Doyeon Park disclosed a high-severity zero-day vulnerability in CometBFT that could stall blockchain operations. The vulnerability affects the infrastructure securing over $8 billion in assets within the Cosmos ecosystem.
Eightco Holdings disclosed total holdings of $336 million as of April 20, 2026. The portfolio includes $90 million in OpenAI equity, $25 million in Beast Industries, and over 283 million WLD tokens. The company also holds more than 11,000 ETH coins and $118 million in cash and equivalents.
On April 21, Danaher reported Q1 adjusted EPS of $2.06, beating the FactSet estimate of $1.94. The company also raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook, expecting 2026 EPS to range between $8.35 and $8.55.
GE Aerospace reported a record 87% surge in Q1 2026 orders, totaling $23.0 billion. GAAP revenue reached $12.4 billion, representing a 25% increase. Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, tracking toward the high end of projected ranges.
On April 21, Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh is scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking Committee. Warsh has previously indicated support for a range-based approach to inflation targets rather than a fixed point. He emphasized the importance of monetary policy independence and stated during his confirmation hearing that the Fed should 'stay in its lane.'
