📌 Market Overview | Tuesday, May 19 Global markets turned risk-off as rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns pressured sentiment. Oil held above $100 amid ongoing Iran tensions, increasing speculation that the Fed may stay hawkish for longer. The U.S. 30-year yield climbed to its highest level since 2007, weighing heavily on equities. U.S. stocks pulled back from recent highs, with the S&P 500 posting its longest losing streak since late March. Tech and small caps led declines as investors grew cautious around crowded AI and semiconductor trades, with Nvidia earnings now a key catalyst for market direction. In FX, the stronger dollar gained support from higher yields and defensive positioning, pushing risk-sensitive currencies like AUD and NZD lower. Gold and silver dropped under pressure from both rising rates and USD strength, while $BTC remained relatively stable near $76.9K. 🟠 Market Sentiment: Risk-Off 🌍 Key Headlines: • U.S. pending home sales rose +1.4% in April, beating expectations. • Canada CPI came in at 2.8%, below the 3.1% forecast. • U.K. unemployment climbed to 5.0%, signaling labor market weakness. • Australia’s central bank minutes showed strong support for rate hikes. • Japan’s Q1 GDP grew 2.1%, beating estimates despite energy concerns. 📊 Key Market Levels: 🟡 Gold: $4,483 (-1.81%) 📉 Nasdaq: 28,798 (-0.61%) 📉 S&P 500: 7,349 (-0.64%) 🛢 Oil: $104.07 (+1.55%) 💵 DXY: 99.32 (+0.37%) ₿ $BTC: $76,973 (-0.04%) 🧭 Bottom Line: Markets are caught between geopolitical risk, expensive oil, and fears of a more aggressive Fed. Until bond yields cool and inflation expectations stabilize, traders are likely to favor cash, USD, and lower-risk positioning over aggressive risk assets. 📅 Watch Tomorrow: UK inflation data + FOMC minutes — both could move FX, gold, equities, and crypto.