The Current
Weekly deep-dive analysis on the trends, strategies, and insights shaping the financial landscape.
Corporate America Posts Best Earnings Season in 20 Years
With roughly two-thirds of S&P 500 companies reporting, Q1 2026 has delivered what researchers are calling one of the strongest earnings seasons in two decades. For the first time in four years, all
May 10, 2026
Big Tech is Bulking for The AI Arms Race
The four largest players in cloud and AI infrastructure reported first-quarter results this week, and each arrived at the same conclusion: current spending levels are not enough. Microsoft, Alphabet
May 3, 2026
Intel Delivers for Investors, Including Washington
Intel (INTC) handed Washington its first clear win on the government's equity stake, posting a Q1 that topped estimates and extended a streak of six consecutive beats. Revenue grew, guidance sailed
April 26, 2026
Trump Pushes for Deal as Hormuz Swings Shut Again
*Tehran reasserts control over the strait overnight, denies key nuclear claims, and research points to months of lag before disrupted oil output recovers.*
April 19, 2026
Ceasefire Sparks Rally as Markets Weigh Iran Risk
President Trump announced Tuesday he would suspend military strikes on Iran for two weeks, contingent on Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Markets responded sharply: Dow futures surged more than
April 12, 2026
Trump Declares Iran Mission "Nearing Completion" in Prime-Time Address
In a 19-minute address from the White House Wednesday night, President Trump said U.S. military objectives in Iran were close to being met and that American forces would continue striking the country
April 5, 2026
The War in Iran is Driving the Stock Market Correction
**The War in Iran is Driving the Stock Market Correction **
March 29, 2026
Middle East Conflict Rattles Markets as Fed Holds Rates Steady
The implications for the U.S. economy are uncertain — and so is your rate cut.
March 22, 2026
Governments Race to Contain the Hormuz Shock
**Governments Race to Contain the Hormuz Shock **
March 15, 2026
Oil Shock Returns as U.S.-Iran War Rattles Markets
Joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes began on February 28, targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. The fallout was immediate. Vessels began avoiding the Strait of Hormuz after tankers came
March 8, 2026
Inflation Strikes Back: Wholesale Inflation Surge Shatters Rate-Cut Hopes
U.S. stocks fell sharply Friday, ending the week in negative territory after wholesale inflation came in hotter than expected. The Dow Jones dropped more than 500 points, while the Nasdaq slid -0.9%
March 1, 2026
SCOTUS Blocks Trump Tariffs, New 10% Global Levy Announced
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal, striking down a core pillar of his trade agenda. The
February 22, 2026
Japan Surges on Political Clarity While U.S. Tech Extends Its Slide
The most important global divergence this week came from opposite sides of the Pacific. In Japan, equities rallied sharply after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a decisive election victory
February 15, 2026
AI Fear Trades Meet Big Tech Earnings Release
AI disruption fears triggered indiscriminate selling across software before Big Tech earnings redirected attention back to fundamentals, with markets sorting AI winners from vulnerable incumbents.
February 8, 2026
Sharp AI Divide Between Meta and Microsoft
AI investment produced sharply different outcomes for Meta and Microsoft, sending a clear message that investors are no longer rewarding AI ambition alone—they now want proof that massive capital outlays are translating into near-term earnings power.
February 1, 2026
Trump's Greenland Comments Reignite Geopolitical Risk
Markets were shaken after President Trump revived pressure on Europe over Greenland, briefly threatening tariffs before pivoting toward NATO discussions, sending gold to record highs and dragging equities lower.
January 25, 2026
The U.S. and Taiwan Strike a $250B Semiconductor Trade Reset
Washington says it is securing supply chains, but the real test is whether tariffs can successfully force a re-wiring of global chip manufacturing.
January 18, 2026
The U.S. Topples Maduro and Bets on Venezuela's Oil Future
Pressure from narco-terrorism has Washington weighing a reboot of the world's most broken petrostate.
January 11, 2026
The Mega-IPO Moment Looming in 2026
The new year could mark a blockbuster IPO year, with SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic eyeing public debuts.
January 4, 2026
A Brutal Year For Layoffs
2025 saw record layoffs across major companies, from Amazon to Nestlé, as economic uncertainty, AI adoption, and restructuring left millions of Americans navigating a challenging job market.
December 28, 2025
OpenAI's Aggressive AI Bet Lands AMD Partnership
After a string of major deals with Nvidia, Oracle, and Microsoft, OpenAI's new partnership with AMD marks its boldest move yet.
Mark Hu • October 12, 2025