📈 WALL STREET: RECORDS AGAIN U.S. stocks closed at all-time highs Thursday. The S&P 500 gained 0.77%, crossing above 7,500 for the first time in history. The Dow Jones retook the 50,000 mark (+0.75%), and the Nasdaq advanced 0.88%. The AI trade continues to dominate — Nvidia’s market cap nears $6 trillion, while Cisco surged 13% on a strong AI infrastructure outlook.
🌏 ASIAN MARKETS: MIXED FRIDAY SESSION Asian indices gave back gains as investors tracked Day 2 of the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9%, South Korea’s Kospi retreated 1.35% after hitting a fresh record above 8,000, Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.25%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.39%. China’s CSI 300 opened flat. The region remains cautious as Taiwan tensions and the Strait of Hormuz blockade dominate geopolitical headlines.
💱 FOREX: DOLLAR FIRMS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT DAY The USD is headed for its largest weekly gain in over two months. EUR/USD ~1.1701, GBP/USD ~1.3509, USD/JPY ~158.52 — the yen is under fresh pressure as hot US inflation data kills rate-cut hopes and raises Fed hike odds. US CPI hit 3.8% and PPI surged at its fastest pace since 2022, driven by energy costs tied to the Iran conflict.
🥇 GOLD: FOURTH SESSION IN THE RED Gold is trading in the $4,669-$4,717/oz range today, stabilising after Thursday’s close at ~$4,652. Rising yields and a stronger dollar continue to weigh on the metal, though safe-haven demand from Middle East tensions provides a floor.
🛢️ OIL: CLIMBING ON SUPPLY FEARS Brent crude rose to ~$106.89/bbl this morning (+1.11%), with WTI near $102.45. The Strait of Hormuz blockade persists — the IEA warns global markets could remain materially undersupplied through October even if the conflict ends next month. Saudi Arabia’s output has fallen to its lowest since 1990.
₿ BITCOIN: BOUNCING BACK BTC has recovered to ~$80,800-$81,200 today, up over 2% in 24 hours, recovering from Thursday’s dip near $79,500. The Crypto Market Structure Clarity Act’s progress in the US and bullish sentiment from Coinbase are supporting the move.
⚠️ Trading involves substantial risk. This is not investment advice.
📲 NordFX | nordfx.com
🌅 NORDFX MORNING UPDATE | May 15, 2026 was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
