Global Indices & Fear & Greed Index

Rieder cites strong stock-market techs and booming earnings, notably 97% YoY semiconductor growth, with positive retail sales and consumer spending underpinning the rally; buybacks nearing $1 trillion fuel demand as S&P 500 tests records. Abstract: BlackRock CIO Rick Rieder points to extraordinary market technicals and robust earnings growth, led by semiconductors up 97% YoY, with solid retail and high-end spending and massive buybacks around $1 trillion supporting the rally; the S&P 500 hit an intraday high.

On April 21, Japan's Nikkei 225 index increased by 0.89% to 59,349.17 points, while South Korea's KOSPI index surged by 2.72% to 6,388.47 points.

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MSCI is extending its review of Indonesia's stock market status to June amid regulatory reforms addressing investability concerns. The decision to postpone possible downgrades has eased investor anxiety but may hinder passive inflows.

KOSPI, Korea’s composite stock index, recently reached a record high, mainly driven by growth in the AI industry and hopes for a peaceful period between the U.S. and Iran. Samsung and SK Hynix are supporting steady demand for semiconductors, but the market’s price-to-earnings ratio has declined. JPMorgan raised its KOSPI target price to 8,500 points, signaling optimism about the Korean stock market, but it remains necessary to monitor whether the “Korea discount” phenomenon can be reversed to attract more investors.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, TW88 (MSCI Taiwan) has surged by 1.5% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market

JackYi, founder of Liquid Capital, asserts the market is in a rally phase but anticipates a pullback due to potential triggers like declining U.S. equities and inflation data. He advises investors to focus on risk management and capital preservation.

Gate News message, April 20 — Hang Seng Index (HSI) futures (Hong Kong's benchmark equity index) closed 0.39% higher in the night session, settling at 26,494 points with a premium of 133 points.

Kalshi and Polymarket face a potential Supreme Court showdown over the legality of prediction markets as inflation rises and stock markets hit record highs. The outcome may redefine how traders hedge economic risks amid conflicting court rulings on their operations.

On April 20, Singapore stocks rose modestly, with the Straits Times Index up 0.1%. UOL was the top gainer, while Seatrium fell. Market activity saw slight declines outpacing gains, amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and rising oil prices.

A report by Block Scholes reveals rising correlations between crypto assets and traditional markets, noting increased demand for unified trading platforms as traders manage diverse assets. Trading volumes have surged, reflecting a shift towards multi-asset strategies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its World Economic Outlook lowered its 2026 global economic growth forecast to 3.1% and raised its inflation forecast to 4.4%. The report said that economic turmoil stemming from conflicts in the Middle East is the main reason. The downward revision to growth forecasts for emerging markets is larger than the global average, and they face significant risks.

Hong Kong stocks rose on April 20, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.17%. Oriental Securities jumped 13.53% after announcing plans to acquire Shanghai Securities. Other notable gainers included Cambridge Technology and Blue Focus Technology, while Long-light Semiconductor and Sige New Energy saw declines.

Gate News: According to the latest Gate TradFi data, VIX (VIX) has surged by 1.5% in a short period. Current volatility is significantly higher than recent averages, indicating increased market activity.

U.S. stocks hit another record high as large technology shares rebounded strongly, and the S&P 500 index showed resilience despite geopolitical and inflationary pressures. The market capitalization of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants rose again, bringing their price-to-earnings ratios back down to reasonable levels. Profit growth expectations look favorable for the future. However, for the AI sector’s high capital expenditures, the market is still taking a wait-and-see approach, focusing on investment returns.

Seven weeks of Middle East conflict are expected to reveal their economic impact through a second round of purchasing manager indexes and inflation data from multiple countries in the week of April 20–24, 2024. The International Monetary Fund warned of potential near-recession risks, with IMF

China’s GDP grew 5% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, showing that it is still holding steady and making progress toward its policy goals under external pressure. High-tech and equipment manufacturing industries became the main drivers of growth, with year-over-year increases of 12.5% and 8.9%, respectively. Total imports and exports rose 15% year over year, demonstrating resilience. This data is also a bargaining chip for the upcoming Trump-Xi summit negotiations, which could affect the crypto market and Taiwan’s supply chain.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Deputy Chief Lam Ho-him noted increased interest from Middle Eastern clients in transferring funds and opening local accounts. He highlighted mutual engagement, the expansion of virtual insurance in the region, and the introduction of Islamic bond ETFs, indicating Hong Kong's development as a digital asset innovation hub.

Iran announces that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open; oil prices fall sharply as supply concerns ease, and U.S. stock indexes hit record highs. Bitcoin once surged to $78,333 and lifted MicroStrategy’s stock price by 12% in a big jump. Market-wide sentiment improves, and cryptocurrencies also show signs of capital inflows.

Gate News message, April 17 — Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index Futures (Hong Kong's benchmark equity index) closed 1.22% higher at 26,502 points in night trading, trading at a premium of 342 points.