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The Morning Bull – US Market Morning Update Friday, May, 1 2026
US stock futures are slightly higher this morning, as investors balance slower growth with hotter inflation. First quarter US GDP grew at a 2.0% annual pace versus forecasts of 2.3%, meaning the economy is still expanding but not quite as quickly as economists expected. At the same time, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, PCE, is running at 3.5% a year, while employment costs and jobless claims signal a very tight job market. The big question for you is whether the Fed keeps interest rates high for longer, which keeps pressure on rate sensitive areas like housing and smaller companies, or whether growth worries start to support larger, steadier businesses.
With growth cooling and inflation still firm, some investors are shifting their focus toward 74 resilient stocks with low risk scores.
Top Movers
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FTAI Aviation (FTAI) surged 17.16% after reporting first quarter revenue, earnings and EPS figures.
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Quanta Services (PWR) jumped 15.78% following first quarter earnings results and Citi’s higher price target.
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QUALCOMM (QCOM) climbed 15.12% after strong quarterly earnings and a series of analyst upgrades and target hikes.
Is QUALCOMM still a smart investment or just hype? Read our most popular narrative and get all the answers you need.
Top Losers
Look past the noise – uncover the top narrative that explains what truly matters for Willis Towers Watson’s long-term success.
On The Radar
US investors will be watching fresh factory data and a busy slate of earnings and shareholder meetings for large financials and tech.
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US Manufacturing: March US Factory Orders on Monday will help you gauge demand across industrial, export and capital goods.
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Energy Majors: Exxon Mobil (XOM) reports Q1 results today, giving you a clearer read on costs and pricing.
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Consumer Staples: Colgate-Palmolive (CL) Q1 update today highlights pricing power and profitability for everyday household products.
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Financials and Alternatives: Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) and Ares Management (ARES) earnings today spotlight trading volumes and fee trends.
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Tech and Platforms: Uber Technologies (UBER) holds its AGM on Monday, with attention on governance and long term growth priorities.
