Constellation Energy reported Q1 2026 revenue of $11.12 billion, surpassing the $9.0 billion consensus by 23.6%, as AI data center demand for nuclear power surged. Adjusted EPS of $2.74 beat the $2.59 estimate by 5.8%. Full-year EPS guidance of $11.00–$12.00 was reaffirmed.
South Korea's KOSPI closed at a record 7,822.24 on May 11, adding 324 points (+4.32%) as semiconductor stocks repriced after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 5.51% on May 8. SK Hynix cleared 190,000 KRW (+11%) and Samsung Electronics crossed 280,000 KRW (+6%), putting the 8,000 level within 2.2% reach.
The University of Michigan's preliminary May 2026 consumer sentiment reading of 48.2 set a new all-time record low, breaking the prior trough of 50.0 from June 2022. Surging gasoline prices from Iran's Hormuz blockade are the primary catalyst, complicating the Fed's rate path while the S&P 500 posts six consecutive weeks of gains.
Intel ($INTC), AMD ($AMD), and Micron ($MU) all posted double-digit gains in the week ended May 8, 2026, while Nvidia ($NVDA) lagged the group. Analysts framed the rotation as a structural shift toward CPU and memory chipmakers as beneficiaries of the AI inference cycle, with Apple's preliminary Intel Foundry Services agreement as the primary catalyst.
Saudi Aramco reported Q1 2026 adjusted net income of $33.6 billion, beating the analyst consensus of $31.2 billion by 7.7% and rising 26% year-over-year. CEO Amin Nasser credited the East-West Pipeline — now at maximum 7.0 million bpd capacity — for bypassing the Hormuz blockade and delivering crude to locked-out customers.
Iran's Army spokesperson warned on May 10 that ships from countries joining U.S. Iran sanctions will be barred from the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude closed Friday at $101.29 per barrel, up 95% in Q1, with cumulative supply losses approaching one billion barrels.
HMM (011200.KS), South Korea's largest container shipping company, reported its vessel Namwoo was hit by an unidentified flying object while anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul's presidential office immediately convened an emergency NSC working-level meeting. Iran's military simultaneously warned that ships from nations joining U.S. sanctions would be barred from Hormuz transit.
South Korea's National Assembly passed an amendment to the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act on May 8, requiring businesses providing overseas cryptocurrency transfer services to register with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Unregistered operators will be treated as illegal after the law takes effect. The move marks the second major crypto regulatory tightening since the Virtual Asset User Protection Act took effect in 2024.
Inspire Brands — which owns Dunkin', Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin Robbins, Sonic Drive-In, and Jimmy John's — has confidentially filed for an IPO with the SEC. Roark Capital is targeting a valuation of roughly $20 billion, which would rank among the largest restaurant IPOs ever for a platform running 33,300-plus restaurants with $33.4 billion in annual system-wide sales.
President Trump issued a July 4 ultimatum for the EU to ratify the Turnberry trade agreement, threatening to raise tariffs to 'much higher' levels if Brussels misses the U.S. 250th birthday deadline. The EU Commission affirmed its commitment but acknowledged talks are incomplete. On the same day, a U.S. trade court ruled Trump's 10% global tariff unlawful — the second judicial rebuke of administration trade overreach this year.
Apple and Intel ($INTC) have reached a preliminary agreement for Intel's foundry (IFS) to manufacture chips for Apple devices, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 8. Intel shares jumped 17%, capping a week of double-digit gains alongside Micron and AMD as Wall Street narratively shifts AI spend from Nvidia toward CPU and memory names. The deal marks IFS's most significant external win since the foundry unit launched in 2021.
Rocket Lab's stock rose 34% on May 8 — its best day on record — after Q1 revenue of $200.4 million beat FactSet estimates across both segments and the company unveiled its largest launch contract ever. Backlog more than doubled year-over-year to $2.2 billion, and Q2 guidance of $225M–$240M surpassed the LSEG consensus by roughly 14%. SpaceX IPO anticipation and defense tailwinds are repricing the entire space sector.