๐ 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 dominateโโโNvidiaโs market cap nears $6 trillion, while Cisco surged 13% on a strong AI infrastructure outlook.
๐ ASIAN MARKETS: MIXED FRIDAY SESSION Asian indices gave back gains as investors tracked Day 2 of the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. Japanโs Nikkei 225 fell 0.9%, South Koreaโs Kospi retreated 1.35% after hitting a fresh record above 8,000, Australiaโs ASX 200 slipped 0.25%, and Hong Kongโs Hang Seng edged down 0.39%. Chinaโs CSI 300 opened flat. The region remains cautious as Taiwan tensions and the Strait of Hormuz blockade dominate geopolitical headlines.
๐ฑ 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 ~158.52โโโthe 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.
๐ฅ GOLD: FOURTH SESSION IN THE RED Gold is trading in the $4,669-$4,717/oz range today, stabilising after Thursdayโs 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.
๐ข๏ธ 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 persistsโโโthe IEA warns global markets could remain materially undersupplied through October even if the conflict ends next month. Saudi Arabiaโs output has fallen to its lowest since 1990.
โฟ BITCOIN: BOUNCING BACK BTC has recovered to ~$80,800-$81,200 today, up over 2% in 24 hours, recovering from Thursdayโs dip near $79,500. The Crypto Market Structure Clarity Actโs progress in the US and bullish sentiment from Coinbase are supporting the move.
โ ๏ธ Trading involves substantial risk. This is not investment advice.
๐ฒ NordFX | nordfx.com
๐ 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.


