Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] With about two hours to go on Wednesday, and in the trading month of April, the Nasdaq Composite (-1.08%) is poised to end on a down note whilst flipping gains to losses on the final session (-0.15% MTD).

Gold futures settled $14.50 lower (-0.4%) at $3,319.10/oz, ending the month up +5.4%, today's dip primarily owing to a strengthening U.S. dollar and a de-escalation in trade tensions following President Trump's decision to ease auto tariffs and secure a trade agreement, which reduced gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset.

Monthly gains were facilitated by persistent global economic uncertainties, including U.S.-China trade tensions and geopolitical risks while the anticipation of potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, with traders pricing in approximately 95 basis points of easing by year-end, enhanced gold's attractiveness, as lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index is up about +0.3% to $99.50.