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Investment Daily: US stocks and Treasuries ended lower

8 May 2026

Key takeaways

  • US stocks and Treasuries ended lower.
  • European stocks fell; government bonds were range-bound.
  • Asian stocks rose.

Markets

US stocks ended a choppy session lower on Thursday, as investors weighed geopolitical developments in the Middle East. The S&P 500 was down 0.4%.

US Treasuries fell, with 10-year yields rising 4bp to 4.39%.

European stocks fell on Thursday as investors assessed ongoing geopolitical tensions. The Euro Stoxx 50 lost 0.9%. The German DAX fell 1.0% and the French CAC dropped 1.2%. In the UK, the FTSE 100 closed 1.5% lower.

European government bonds were range-bound. 10-year German bund yields ended flat at 3.00% while 10-year French bond yields edged up 1bp to 3.63%. In the UK, 10-year gilt yield closed at 4.95% (+1bp).

Asian stock markets advanced on Thursday amid easing concerns over Middle East tensions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 5.6% after returning from holidays, while Korea’s Kospi ended 1.4% higher. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s Shanghai Composite gained 1.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Elsewhere, India’s Sensex closed largely unchanged (-0.1%).

Crude oil prices fluctuated on Thursday. WTI crude for June delivery settled 0.3% lower at USD94.8 a barrel.

Key Data Releases and Events

Releases yesterday

Mexico’s central bank cut its policy rate by 25bp in a divided decision, given downside growth risks, a stable currency and the impact of past policy restrictiveness. The forward guidance points to an end to the easing cycle.

Releases due today (8 May 2026)

In the US, non-farm payrolls have been volatile recently, but other labour market indicators point to a stabilisation or modest improvement.

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