Finance

Intel's stock surged over 20% to reach record levels after the company reported first-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations. Management cited massive orders for AI data centers as a primary growth driver, noting that revenue could have been even higher if supply had kept pace with demand.

While tech benchmarks reached new heights, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged behind, pressured by cyclicals and financials. Market sentiment remains sensitive to the fragile U.S.-Iran truce and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have kept crude oil prices elevated near $95 per barrel.

The 10-year Treasury yield held steady near 4.3% as traders weighed persistent energy-led inflationary pressures against expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates. Prediction markets currently suggest a high probability that the central bank will keep rates on hold through the April 2026 meeting.

The cryptocurrency market is showing renewed momentum, with Bitcoin trading near the $78,000 level and eyeing the psychologically significant $80,000 mark. Analysts noted that this recovery appears more mature than previous cycles, driven by increasing institutional adoption and the integration of digital assets into global payment infrastructures.

Despite a booming stock market, U.S. consumer sentiment has slumped to a near four-year low in April 2026. This decline is attributed to rising inflation expectations, particularly concerning gasoline and transportation costs as the conflict in the Middle East continues to impact energy prices.