An AI-hardware rout sank the Nasdaq 100 2.90% and dragged the S&P 500 down 1.21%, yet two of three S&P stocks rose. Lam Research fell 11.76% and GE Vernova lost 10.64%. Treasuries caught a haven bid, cutting the 10-year yield 17.2 bps to 4.951%. Brent jumped 3.73% to $112.88, its highest close since May 4, after Houthi strikes on Saudi targets. Trump invoked the Defense Production Act for domestic oil. Moderna sank 17.57% on leaked Phase 3 melanoma data.
MIB Daily: The AI Trade’s Weak Spot Is the Bill, Lam Research -11.76% and GE Vernova -10.64% as Staples and Treasuries Rally, Brent Hits $112.88 and Trump Invokes the DPA for Oil, Six Days Before the FOMC
MIB: NFP Blowout Lifts S&P to ATH as Michigan Sentiment Hits 74-Year Low, Apple-Intel Deal Reshapes US Chip Strategy
April NFP exploded to +115K vs. 65K expected, vaulting the S&P 500 to a new ATH and cementing Fed-on-hold through 2027 — but Michigan Sentiment crashed to a 74-year record low of 48.2 as $4.55 gasoline hammers household confidence. Apple and Intel struck a preliminary chip-manufacturing deal backed by a 10% White House equity stake in Intel. Micron crossed $800B, eclipsing JPMorgan. Iran diplomacy inched forward but active military exchanges continue — Hormuz remains the inflation wildcard. Warsh Senate vote: next week.
MIB: Ceasefire Collapse, Productivity Miss, and FOMC Dissent Fracture the Bull Case
Iran accused US forces of ceasefire violations, reversing Wednesday’s record rally — WTI +2.71% to $97.66, S&P 500 –0.38%, 10-of-11 sectors red. Q1 nonfarm productivity hit +0.8% (biggest miss since 2023) with ULC at +2.3% and real wages turning negative. Hammack called the FOMC’s rate-cut signal “misleading,” formalizing the 4-dissenter bloc — hike optionality is live. Challenger April cuts +38% MoM with AI driving 26%, collapsing Friday’s NFP consensus to ~60K. Boeing CEO joins Trump’s China delegation; 600-aircraft deal speculation lifts BA.
