Breaking News! Tucker Carlson of Fox News has left the organisation after more than a decade as one of the network's leading voices. Fox News recently settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, which had accused the network of broadcasting false claims that it rigged voting machines in favour of Joe Biden during the 2020 US presidential election. The network reportedly took issue with comments made by Carlson during the lawsuit that were seen as derogatory. At the same time, CNN's 17-year veteran anchor Don Lemon is departing the channel after making comments about Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley that were later criticised for being sexist. This could be a signal to the end of cable news as volatile platforms such as Twitter and TikTok are providing faster news than any media company and disputed even faster by its community in case of fake news. 

EQUITY

US stocks were mixed on Monday as investors awaited Q1 earnings from big tech companies. Tech bulls on Wall Street remain optimistic, but investor sentiment on tech has been muddied as the prospect of a less hawkish than expected Federal Reserve dwindles ahead of the central bank’s rate decision on May 3 that saw 85% probability of another hike.

GOLD

Gold prices started off on a low note due to the US dollar stabilising on Tuesday while investors waited for the release of key US economic data later in the week. The dollar gained strength on the upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting on May 2-3 and it's expected that there will be some volatility due to the shifting expectations around future Fed policy moves.

OIL

Oil prices rose on Tuesday, supported by investor optimism that holiday travel in China would boost fuel demand and by expectations of a drop in US inventories. Bookings in China for trips abroad during the upcoming May Day holiday point to a continued recovery in travel.

CURRENCY

The US dollar rose on Tuesday on higher earnings and the global economic outlook, pushing the euro lower from a 10-month high. Safe-haven currencies, such as the yen, remained firm while the Bank of Japan's new governor signalled no rush to shift policy. Central banks around the world are set to cut the frequency of their dollar liquidity operations with the US Federal Reserve starting in May, indicating that March's financial market volatility has eased.