SUPERNEWS

Macro

US Stocks Up, Tesla Soars 16% on China Nod, Yen & Gas Rally

Tesla secures in-principle FSD approval in China, sparking a 12% stock surge and uplifting US market sentiment.

By Bill Bullington

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4/29, 14:28 EDT
S&P 500
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Apple Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc.
Baidu, Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
SPDR S&P 500 ETF TRUST
Tesla, Inc.
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Key Takeaway

  • U.S. stocks opened the week positively, with Tesla Inc. surging 16% on China's FSD approval.
  • Japanese yen rallied after Bank of Japan intervention; natural gas prices jumped nearly 7%.
  • Lithium miners and tech stocks gained on strong EV momentum and earnings anticipation, respectively.

Tesla's Breakthrough in China

Tesla Inc. has achieved a significant milestone by securing in-principle approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in China, following CEO Elon Musk's unexpected visit. This development is a strategic win for Tesla, allowing it to tap into the world's largest auto market more effectively. The approval, which hinges on meeting certain regulatory requirements including a collaboration with Baidu Inc. for mapping and navigation services, sent Tesla's shares soaring by as much as 12%. This surge reflects the market's optimism regarding Tesla's expansion prospects in China, amidst challenges such as declining revenue and increasing competition from local EV manufacturers.

Impact on Market Sentiment

The news of Tesla's advancement in China has positively influenced the US stock market, particularly lifting shares of Apple Inc. ahead of its earnings report. This improvement in market sentiment is attributed to perceived reduced risks for Apple in China, a critical market for the tech giant. Furthermore, the anticipation surrounding the Treasury's refunding announcement, known for its potential to rally the stock and bond markets, underscores the significance of major tech companies' developments on broader market dynamics. This scenario illustrates how pivotal events within leading tech firms can ripple through the financial markets, affecting investor sentiment and market trends.

Global Market Dynamics

Japan's intervention to support the yen has highlighted the intricate connections within global financial markets. Early trading sessions have shown positive money flows into stocks like Apple and Amazon, with a neutral stance on Microsoft and mixed reactions towards the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. The contrasting activities between the momo crowd, who are buying into stocks, gold, and oil, and the smart money's lack of action, depict a market divided in its outlook. Additionally, the ongoing disappointment with Bitcoin's performance, particularly among investors who entered at higher levels, emphasizes the speculative and volatile nature of cryptocurrency investments.