Trading Economics-


The S&P/TSX Composite index fell nearly 1% to trade below 33,500 on Wednesday following the BoC's and the US Fed's decision to hold interest rates. The BoC kept its policy rate at 2.25%, as expected, maintaining a wait-and-see approach amid ongoing US-Iran tensions that continue to stoke inflationary fears. Meanwhile, the Fed held its benchmark interest rate in the range of 3.5% to 3.75%, citing the surge in oil prices and increased economic uncertainty from the Iran war. Major banks including BMO and the Royal Bank of Canada lost about 1%. Meanwhile, the oil spike has lifted energy stocks in recent sessions, while gold prices edged lower, pressuring miners. Canadian Natural gained near 2% while Agnico Eagle lost nearly 3%. Separately, major US tech companies including Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon are set to report earnings after the close on Wall Street, potentially influencing Canadian tech stocks. Shopify shed near 1%.

Trading Economics-


The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.71% to close at 4,108 on Wednesday, reaching its highest level in over a month, while the Shenzhen Component Index added 1.96% to 15,121, primarily driven by notable gains in heavyweight stocks. BYD climbed 3.86% after Q1 results surpassed expectations, while Contemporary Amperex Technology surged 4.05%. Other large-cap stocks also advanced, including Zhongji Innolight (2.55%), Midea Group (1.07%), and PetroChina (1.31%). In contrast, Foxconn fell 4.41% even after reporting strong triple-digit growth in AI-related revenue and profits. Meanwhile, China’s Politburo reaffirmed a “proactive” fiscal stance and an “appropriately loose” monetary policy, echoing previous messaging and signaling no immediate plans for additional stimulus.

Trading Economics-


The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.75% to close at 6,691 on Wednesday, resuming its record rally after opening lower,The index maintained an upward bias despite cautious global sentiment, supported by continued demand following recent record highs. Sentiment was underpinned by positioning into Samsung Electronics’ earnings and steady performance in select large-cap technology names, helping anchor the broader market despite earlier softness in semiconductors. At the same time, the index was supported by sector rotation, with gains led by Samsung Electronics (1.58%), SK Square (2.22%), Hanwha Aerospace (1.72%), Doosan Enerbility (1.10%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (3.45%), while SK Hynix (-0.62%), Celltrion (-1.45%), and Hanwha Ocean (-1.34%) fell.

Trading Economics-


The NZX 50 edged up 6 points, or 0.1%, to close at 12,770 on Wednesday, after being flat in the morning session and snapping a three-session losing streak, as the RBNZ reiterated its focus on balancing inflation control while supporting economic growth. RBNZ Governor Anna Breman said in a speech today that core inflation remained stable in Q1 within its target band of 1% to 3%. However, while a downbeat session on Wall Street overnight, amid signals of weakness in OpenAI and rising oil prices, weighed on sentiment. The broader index rebounded from its lowest level since March 30, reached a day earlier, supported by gains in healthcare, utilities, financials, and materials. Among gainers were Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (+1.5%), Contact Energy (+1.0%), Infratil (+0.5%), Turners Automotive Group (+0.5%), and Meridian Energy (+0.4%).

Trading Economics-


The S&P/ASX 200 lost 24 points or 0.3% to finish at 8,687 on Wednesday, logging its seventh straight decline and marking a three-week low. Sentiment stayed weak after fresh data showed Australia’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.6% in March from 3.7%, remaining above the RBA’s 2–3% target, though slightly below forecasts of 4.7%. The figures underscored persistent cost pressures that have grown since mid-2025. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank will meet next week after raising borrowing costs in February and March. Still, losses were partly offset by stronger U.S. before Jerome Powell hands leadership to Kevin Warsh in May. Sector weakness was led by non-energy minerals, consumer non-durables, healthcare, and logistics, with gains in consumer durables and energy minerals helping limit declines. Major laggards included Westgold Resources (-3.3%) and CSL Ltd. (-2.4%), while three of the four largest banks fell between 1% to 1.4%.

Trading Economics-


India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.8% to close at 77,493 on Wednesday, recovering from Tuesday's losses, as upbeat quarterly earnings partly offset rising oil prices and continued foreign outflows. The US signaled it would stick with a naval blockade of Iranian ports as it tries to force Tehran back to the negotiating table, raising the risk of a prolonged energy crisis with guidance on the policy path expected to shape global capital flows and sentiment toward emerging markets. Maruti Suzuki gained 2.8%, despite reporting a surprise decline in the March-quarter profit, following a broadly supportive brokerage response to strong underlying demand trends and forward guidance. Heavyweight Reliance rose 2.7%, extending gains for a third session after its quarterly results. ITC, Tech Mahindra, Bharti Airtel and M&M also advanced solidly, rising between 2%-3.9%. Conversely, IndiGo (-2.4%) and NTPC (-1.3%) posted the biggest losses.

Trading Economics-


The Ibovespa fell more than 0.5% to trade below 187,500 on Wednesday amid persistent concerns that high energy prices will hurt domestic spending and prompt the central bank to maintain restrictive interest rates. Energy prices rose further as no sign emerged that oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz would normalize soon. The impact on inflation was underscored by the sharp increase in the IGM-P, which jumped the most in five years in April. Meanwhile, the central bank is expected to cut the Selic rate by 25 basis points after the close, but recent high inflation data has kept some bets of a hold alive and increased the likelihood of hawkish guidance. Most financials posted losses, with Bradesco down near 1% and Banco Santander edging lower after missing Q1 2026 earnings forecasts. Vale shed over 1% after reporting results below market expectations, while WEG lost nearly 2% on a decline in profits.

(QNA)–


The main Saudi stock index closed Wednesday up 58.12 points, reaching 11,238.07 points, with trading valued at SAR 5.8 billion.

The volume of shares traded reached 357 million shares, with 160 companies recording gains and 93 companies recording losses.

The Saudi parallel market index (Nomu) closed today down 13.20 points, reaching 22,875.76 points, with trading valued at SAR 24 million and a volume of over 3 million shares traded.

Trading Economics-

The FTSE 100 fell more than 1% on Wednesday, slipping to a four-week low and underperforming other European markets as heavyweight pharmaceutical stocks dragged on the index. AstraZeneca dropped over 2% and GSK fell over 6% despite both slightly beating estimates, reflecting pressure on two of the index’s largest constituents. Lloyds Banking eased around 0.8% even after reporting stronger than expected first quarter profit and a more optimistic full year outlook. Haleon declined about 3% after maintaining guidance but flagging weaker US sales due to a mild cold and flu season. Oil prices surged, adding to broader market caution, while global attention turns to earnings from major US tech firms including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta.

Trading Economics-


European stocks closed lower for an eighth session on Wednesday amid more concerns that higher energy prices will raise interest rates and dent earnings prospectives, while markets assessed a batch of earnings results. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 fell 0.4% to 5,814 and the STOXX 600 dropped 0.7% to 602. The US signaled it will maintain the ongoing blockade of Iranian tankers from the Strait of Hormuz in the time being, extending the impasse the prevents tankers from exporting energy and triggering another increase in energy prices. Financial companies and industrials fell further, with Munich Re, Allianz, and Siemens dropping between 3% and 2%. Deutsche Bank dropped nearly 3% after beating first quarter estimates but flagging higher credit provisions. Also, Mercedes Benz and Iberdrola closed lower after posting their results. On the other hand, Airbus and Adidas soared by 5.1% and 8.3%, respectively, on the optimistic guidances. The Fed was due to maintain rates unchanged after the bell.

Trading Economics-


Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed about 0.3% down at 23,944 on Wednesday, the lowest since mid-April and extending losses for the eighth straight session. Market sentiment was hit by a sharp increase in oil prices, In equities, Siemens Healthineers (-3.7%), Hannover Ruck (-3.2%) and Munchener Ruck (-3.1%) posted the biggest declines. Deutsche Bank fell 1.9% despite a jump in profits, as it flagged higher credit provisions. Mercedes-Benz Group shed 0.3%, despite reporting a smaller-than-expected profit decline. On the upside, Adidas surged 8.3% after reporting a stronger-than-expected first-quarter profit.

Trading Economics-


US equities were lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held rates unchanged and presented a mixed outlook, while markets positioned ahead of major earnings. The S&P 500 and the Dow fell 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively, while the Nasdaq 100 was flat. The Fed held rates but regional Fed presidents in the FOMC dissented against an easing bias, reflecting their concerns of inflationary pressures. Hyperscalers Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon, totalling around $11 trillion in market cap, were up to 2% lower ahead of their earnings reports after the bell, set to update their AI capital expenditure that has suppported stocks despite the growing skepticism on their sustainability. AI infrastructure were already in the spotlight after OpenAI reportedly missed targets yesterday. Visa was 10% higher and AbbVie jumped 3% after posting strong results for the last quarter. Also, defensive stocks fell the fresh increase in oil prices on no signs of energy supply from the Middle East.

Federal Reserve Board-


Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job
gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in
recent months. Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices.
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of
2 percent over the longer run. Developments in the Middle East are contributing to a high level
of uncertainty about the economic outlook. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides
of its dual mandate.
In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal
funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of additional
adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess
incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee is strongly
committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.
In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to
monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee
would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that
could impede the attainment of the Committee’s goals. The Committee’s assessments will take
into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions,
inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.
Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams,
Vice Chair; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Lisa D. Cook; Philip N. Jefferson; Anna
Paulson; and Christopher J. Waller. Voting against this action were Stephen I. Miran, who
preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point at this
meeting; and Beth M. Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie K. Logan, who supported
maintaining the target range for the federal funds rate but did not support inclusion of an easing
bias in the statement at this time.

Trading Economics-


The Fed kept the federal funds rate unchanged at the 3.5%–3.75% target range for a third consecutive meeting in April 2026, in line with expectations. The decision was not unanimous, with Governor Miran voting to lower interest rates by 25bps and three other objecting the language in the statement that suggested the central bank would eventually resume cutting rates. The 8-4 vote marked the first time since October 1992 that four officials dissented against a Federal Open Market Committee decision. The central bank reiterated that it will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks in determining the appropriate stance of monetary policy, and stands ready to adjust policy as needed if risks emerge that could hinder the achievement of its objectives. In addition, the Fed noted that developments in the Middle East are contributing to a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook.

General Summary of Key Corporate News on the Egyptian Exchange and Major Economic Updates
The Egyptian Exchange revealed the key highlights disclosures and announcements of several companies during today’s session (29/04/2026). The most important were as follows:
________________________________________
Catalyst Partners Middle East reports consolidated net profit of EGP 18 million
The consolidated financial results of Catalyst Partners Middle East for the period from 01/10/2024 to 31/12/2025 showed a net profit of EGP 18,918,371.
Key Economic News:
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs holds meeting to ensure availability of goods and production inputs
Dr. Hussein Issa, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, held a meeting at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to follow up on efforts to provide essential goods for citizens and the necessary production inputs to support various industrial sectors. The meeting also reviewed the stability and regularity of supply chains in light of current geopolitical developments.
________________________________________
Minister of Electricity inaugurates the 21st meeting of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP)
Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity, affirmed Egypt’s ongoing and firm commitment to supporting and strengthening regional cooperation in the energy sector with its African partners, particularly the countries of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP). He emphasized Egypt’s readiness to leverage its technical expertise, surplus generation capacity, and strategic infrastructure to help achieve the pool’s objectives, advance its progress, promote electrical interconnection, enhance energy security, and support sustainable development goals.
He added, during his speech at the opening of the 21st Council of Ministers meeting of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), which is chaired by Egypt, and attended by concerned ministers, senior officials, representatives of member states, as well as representatives of regional and international institutions involved in the energy sector, that regional integration is a strategic necessity to maximize the efficient use of available resources.
He stressed that unifying efforts contributes to building an integrated regional energy system that achieves sustainability and promotes prosperity for our peoples, noting that national efforts—no matter how significant—remain insufficient without joint regional cooperation.