Stocks Rally Despite Trade and Inflation Pressures U.S. equities rebounded on Friday, April 11, after a roller-coaster week, as investor sentiment picked up even as Treasury yields rose and fresh tariff fears resurfaced. The S&P 500 rose 1.81%, the Nasdaq gained 2.0%, and the Dow rose over 1.5%. The rebound followed a week of economic worry, as consumer sentiment dipped and inflation fears gathered pace. Bitcoin Briefly Tops Over $84K Bitcoin briefly crossed the $84,000 mark before settling at $83,796. The flagship cryptocurrency was supported by risk-on sentiment and continued institutional interest. Its strength mirrored broader market resilience and growing investor hunger for non-traditional assets amid macro uncertainty. U.S.-China Trade War Escalates Uncertainty between the U.S. and China remains a wildcard. Following a 145% tariff hike by the U.S., China imposed tariffs of up to 125% on key U.S. imports. As markets dismissed the recent actions, analysts warn that prolonged disagreements can restore volatility. JPMorgan Lifts Wall Street Mood JPMorgan Chase surpassed Q1 expectations with earnings per share of $5.07 on $45.31 billion in revenue. The strong results provided much-needed confidence. However, CEO Jamie Dimon provided a cautious outlook, warning of “considerable turbulence” ahead due to inflation, global conflicts, and regulatory risks. Gold Hits Record High Gold futures soared past $3,200, driven by safe-haven demand as investors sought to hedge against geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The rally underscores the residual nervousness in markets despite the rally in risk assets on Friday. Outlook: Volatility Ahead Investors are optimistic but cautiously so. While strong corporate earnings and Bitcoin’s rally are cause for optimism, inflation, trade tensions, and geopolitics may continue to keep markets on edge. How markets navigate these headwinds will set the tone for the second quarter.
