tl;dr
The Easter weekend saw no trade deals and increased market volatility. US President Donald Trump criticized opponents of tariffs and published a "non-tariff cheating" list, while Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell condemned the tariffs, prompting Trump to threaten Powell's job. Consumer sentiment d...
Easter weekend saw no trade deals and increased market volatility amid tariff disputes between President Trump and Fed Chair Powell. Trump criticized opponents of tariffs and published a "non-tariff cheating" list, while Powell condemned the tariffs, prompting Trump to threaten Powell's job. Consumer sentiment dropped and household inflation expectations surged, signaling economic uncertainty.
Key economic data releases scheduled this week include Global Services and Manufacturing PMI, Durable Goods Orders, New and Existing Home Sales, and Consumer Sentiment and Inflation Expectations reports. Analysts anticipate about 20% of S&P 500 companies, including Tesla and Alphabet, will report earnings amid concerns of a challenging quarter.
Experts like Adam Posen from the Peterson Institute warn that the Federal Reserve has maintained too loose a monetary policy, raising inflation risks. If inflation accelerates, further rate hikes may be necessary as the Fed works to avoid falling behind the curve.
In the crypto markets, Bitcoin led positive movement early in the week, breaking out of a downtrend and reclaiming $87,000 for the first time since late March. Minor gains appeared across other major coins such as Ethereum, XRP, and Binance Coin. Analysts note Bitcoin's breakout from a falling wedge pattern may signal a reversal of the recent three-month decline.
Innovation took center stage at Paris Blockchain Week 2025, highlighting cutting-edge developments in digital identity, uranium trading via blockchain, tokenization of real-world assets, and new crypto presales. These advances demonstrate blockchain technology’s expanding influence beyond cryptocurrencies into diverse real-world applications.
Overall, markets face ongoing volatility fueled by trade tensions, monetary policy uncertainty, inflation fears, and critical economic indicators releasing this week. Investors are advised to stay attentive to market signals as these factors unfold and impact global financial conditions.