Markets on the Move as Data and Earnings Take Center Stage (April 13- 17, 2026, Recap)

Overview

The week of April 14–17 featured a busy mix of key economic releases, commodity moves, and major corporate earnings. Markets reacted to fresh data on US inflation, labor conditions, crude inventories, Australian employment, and UK growth, while investors also digested quarterly results from several major financial and consumer names. Across asset classes, price action reflected a combination of resilient economic signals, earnings-driven volatility, and shifting sentiment in commodities, currencies, and equities.

Major Economic Indicators and Events in Review

Tuesday, April 14

15:30 – USA: PPI m/m (USD)

US producer prices rose 0.5% in March after gains of 0.5% in February and 0.6% in January. On a yearly basis, producer inflation reached 4.0%, the biggest 12-month increase since February 2023. The monthly rise was driven mainly by a 1.6% jump in goods prices, while services prices were flat. Core producer prices, excluding foods, energy, and trade services, increased 0.2% in March following stronger 0.5% gains in the prior two months.

EURUSD rose 0.31% on the day.

Wednesday, April 15

17:30 – USA: Crude Oil Inventories (USD)

US crude inventories fell by 0.9 million barrels last week, while gasoline and distillate stocks also declined sharply. Refinery activity eased slightly, crude imports dropped, and total petroleum demand over the past four weeks remained stronger than a year ago.

EURUSD ticked 0.04% higher on the day.

Thursday, April 16

04:30 am – Australia: Employment Change (AUD)

Australia’s employment rose by 30,800 people in March 2026 to 14.76 million in trend terms. Full-time employment increased by 17,500, and part-time employment rose by 13,300, with part-time workers making up 31.2% of total employment. The employment-to-population ratio held steady at 64.0%, while monthly hours worked increased to 2,015 million.

AUDUSD fell by 0.13% on the day.

09:00 am – UK: GDP m/m (GBP)

UK real GDP grew by 0.5% in the three months to February 2026, improving from 0.3% growth in the three months to January, with services up 0.5% and production rising 1.2%, while construction fell 2.0%. On a monthly basis, GDP also increased 0.5% in February, as services and production each grew 0.5% and construction rose 1.0%.

GBPUSD edged down 0.24% on the day.

15:30 – USA: Unemployment Claims (USD)

US initial jobless claims fell by 11,000 to 207,000 in the week ending April 11, pointing to continued labor market resilience. The insured unemployment rate held steady at 1.2%, while continuing claims rose by 31,000 to 1.818 million, although the four-week average for continuing claims fell to its lowest level since June 2024.

EURUSD was down 0.16% on the day.

Commodities

1. Crude Oil
   Crude oil prices fell by 12.16% over the past week
2. Brent Oil
   Brent was down 1.95% compared to the previous week
3. Gold
   The precious metal Gold (XAUUSD) concluded the week on Friday with a 1.72% weekly increase
4. Silver
   XAGUSD increased by 6.41% from last week

Stock Market

1. S&P 500 increased by 4.42%
2. DJIA was up 3.10%
3. NASDAQ 100 increased by 6.04%

Top Gainers

1. Triller Group Inc. (ILLR) 522.22%
2. Real Messenger Corporation (RMSG) 477.21%
3. Allbirds, Inc. (BIRD) 351.88%

Top Losers

1. Cheetah Net Supply Chain Service Inc. (CTNT) -93.43%
2. LZ Technology Holdings Limited (LZMH) -85.89%
3. Fitness Champs Holdings Limited (FCHL) -81.81%

Company Earnings (April 13 – 17)

Monday, April 13: GS (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.)

Tuesday, April 14: JPM (JPMorgan Chase & Co.)

Tuesday, April 14: JNJ (Johnson & Johnson)

Tuesday, April 14: C (Citigroup Inc.)

Tuesday, April 14: WFC (Wells Fargo & Company)

Tuesday, April 14: BLK (BlackRock, Inc.)

Wednesday, April 15: BAC (Bank of America Corporation)

Wednesday, April 15: MS (Morgan Stanley)

Thursday, April 16: NFLX (Netflix, Inc.)

Thursday, April 16: PEP (PepsiCo, Inc.)

Goldman Sachs beat first-quarter expectations as record equities trading and a sharp rise in investment banking fees lifted revenue and profit. The bank reported EPS of $17.55 and revenue of $17.23 billion, though weaker fixed-income trading, higher credit-loss provisions, and geopolitical uncertainty tempered the outlook.

GS shares rose 2% over the past week.

JPMorgan beat first-quarter estimates as strong fixed-income trading and investment banking revenue lifted earnings and sales. However, the bank lowered its full-year 2026 net interest income guidance, while CEO Jamie Dimon warned that geopolitical tensions, energy volatility, trade uncertainty, and elevated asset prices are creating a more complex risk environment.

JPM shares ticked up 0.14% over the week.

Johnson & Johnson reported strong first-quarter 2026 results, with sales rising 9.9% to $24.1 billion and adjusted EPS coming in at $2.70. The company also raised its full-year outlook, projecting about $100.8 billion in sales and adjusted EPS of $11.55, supported by recent product approvals and continued growth momentum.

JNJ shares fell by 1.79% over the last week.

Citigroup began 2026 strongly, with first-quarter revenue and EPS beating expectations and overall revenue reaching its highest quarterly level in a decade. Growth across all five divisions, led by strong trading and dealmaking activity, supported the results, while confidence in the bank’s turnaround strategy helped push the stock to a 52-week high.

C shares increased by 6.26% in the past week.

Wells Fargo reported mixed first-quarter results, with EPS of $1.60 beating expectations, but revenue of $21.45 billion falling short of forecasts. Stronger net interest income, higher trading revenue, and solid loan growth supported earnings, yet investors focused on the revenue miss, sending the stock lower.

WFC shares fell 4.67% last week.

BlackRock reported a strong first quarter of 2026, with adjusted EPS of $12.53, beating estimates, and net income rising to $2.2 billion. The firm ended the quarter with $13.89 trillion in assets under management and $130 billion in net inflows, including continued momentum in its crypto ETFs.

BLK shares rose 5.29% over the last week.

Bank of America beat first-quarter expectations, reporting EPS of $1.11 and revenue of $30.43 billion, helped by strong equities trading, higher net interest income, and solid investment banking fees. CEO Brian Moynihan said consumer banking remains healthy, while improving credit quality and stronger guidance for net interest income pointed to continued resilience.

BAC shares gained 2.61% over the last week.

Morgan Stanley beat first-quarter expectations, reporting EPS of $3.43 and revenue of $20.58 billion, as strong trading, investment banking, and wealth management results lifted overall performance. Trading was the standout, with equities and fixed income revenue surging well above forecasts, helping the firm navigate a volatile market environment.

MS shares climbed 6.29% in the past week.

Netflix beat first-quarter revenue expectations, reporting $12.25 billion in sales and a sharp rise in earnings, which was helped partly by a termination fee tied to its scrapped Warner Bros. Discovery deal. Still, the stock fell after the company maintained its full-year guidance and announced that co-founder Reed Hastings will leave the board in June.

NFLX shares fell by 5.53% last week.

PepsiCo reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 results, with EPS of $1.61 beating forecasts and revenue rising 8.5% year over year to $19.44 billion. The results topped analyst estimates on both earnings and sales, while the company is also expected to deliver further earnings growth next year.

PEP shares ticked 0.39% higher over the past week.

Conclusion

Overall, the week reflected a market environment shaped by resilient economic data, mixed inflation signals, and earnings-driven momentum. While stronger bank results and upbeat equity performance supported sentiment, declines in oil prices, selective stock weakness, and ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic risks suggested that investors remain cautious as they look ahead to the next round of economic releases and corporate updates.