Tech and financials drove US gains

Chart of US tech and financial ETFs boosting S&P 500 and Nasdaq versus weaker European stock indexes

Key Points

01Technology and financial ETFs outperformed, supporting S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq gains.
02NAR reported existing-home sales fell, which reinforced housing-market softness.
03ECB and BoE publications flagged tokenisation, a Eurosystem DLT pilot and updated resolution guidance, which heightened focus on post-trade plumbing and bank resolvability.
04Goldman Sachs reported record equities revenue but weaker FICC and a $315m provision, which weighed on its shares in pre-market trading.

Global Market Summary

US equities closed higher: SPX rose 1.02%, ^IXIC gained 1.23% and DJIA advanced 0.63% as technology and financial ETFs outperformed and supported risk appetite. Major European benchmarks slipped with FRA40 down 0.29%, DAX down 0.26% and UKX down 0.17% amid heightened focus on regulatory and macro publications. Asian trading was muted with 000001.SS flat (0.0%).

Top Movers

Sectors: Technology (VGT +2.02%) and Financials (XLF +1.75%) led; Utilities (XLU -1.21%) and Consumer Staples (XLP -1.00%) lagged. Notable winners: RVMD +41.35%, XNDU +28.24%, CAR +23.69%. Largest decliners: GFL -9.55%, FAST -6.85%, SAM -5.47%.

Macro highlights

NAR reported March existing-home sales fell to a 3.98M SAAR, a 3.6% monthly decline that missed consensus and reinforced housing-market softness. The ECB's Macroprudential Bulletin flagged tokenisation and a Eurosystem DLT settlement pilot, and the Bank of England issued updated resolution guidance; together those publications heightened focus on post-trade plumbing and bank resolvability, which can influence liquidity and short-dated funding premia.

News that moved markets

Goldman Sachs (GS) reported Q1 results with record equities revenue but weaker FICC and a $315m provision for credit losses; shares traded down roughly 3–4% in pre-market trading as investors weighed the trading mix and provisions. Fastenal (FAST) reported Q1 sales up 12.4% and EPS $0.30 in line with estimates, but shares moved lower as investors focused on gross-margin pressure and the sustainability of digital-driven growth. Corporate actions also affected liquidity: Huachen AI Parking implemented a 1-for-30 reverse split (NASDAQ: HCAI), Coyote Copper Mines began trading (TSXV: CCMM) and Constellation Brands' CEO succession took effect (NYSE: STZ), prompting rebalancing and governance attention. Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. and LINKBANCORP, Inc. announced receipt of regulatory approvals and closed their merger on April 13, 2026. Announced transactions included Somnigroup International's proposed all-stock acquisition of Leggett & Platt and Hexagon's agreement to acquire Waygate Technologies, among other announced deals spanning industrials and technology.

Upcoming session watchlist

01US PPI MoM (MAR) — forecast 1.3% vs 0.7% prior, Apr 14, 12:30 PM | Measures producer price pressures that can influence consumer inflation and rates.
02CN Balance of Trade (MAR) — consensus $112B vs $90.98B prior, Apr 14, 03:00 AM | Signals export-import dynamics and overall trade contribution to growth.
03CN Exports YoY (MAR) — vs 21.8% prior, Apr 14, 03:00 AM | Gauges export growth pace and external demand conditions.
04CN Imports YoY (MAR) — consensus 11.1% vs 13.8% prior, Apr 14, 03:00 AM | Reflects domestic demand and input purchases, signaling internal growth strength.
05AU Westpac Consumer Confidence Change (APR) — forecast -1.8% vs 1.2% prior, Apr 14, 12:30 AM | Tracks consumer sentiment that influences spending and near-term demand.

Key Takeaways

01US equities closed higher, led by technology and financial sectors that supported gains across major US benchmarks.
02Major European benchmarks slipped amid heightened focus on regulatory and macro publications.
03Notable winners RVMD, XNDU and CAR rose sharply, while GFL, FAST and SAM were the largest decliners.
04Corporate news—Goldman's mixed quarter, Fastenal (FAST) margin pressure, reverse splits, new listings and announced M&A—drove stock-specific moves and rebalancing.

References