Daily Digest — 23 Apr 2026

Markets showed mixed signals today as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on global sentiment. Oil climbed 1.3% to $94 on supply concerns after Iran released footage of its forces seizing a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, while gold retreated 0.6% despite safe-haven demand. The escalating conflict took a tragic turn as Israel killed journalist Amal Khalil in a targeted strike in southern Lebanon, prompting Lebanon to accuse Israel of war crimes.

Technology earnings continued to shape market narratives, with Tesla missing revenue expectations but beating on profit as auto margins jumped. The EV maker also announced plans to triple its capital spending to $25 billion, signaling aggressive expansion despite global competition. Meanwhile, Meta faced scrutiny over tracking employee keystrokes on sites like Google and LinkedIn as part of an AI training initiative, raising fresh privacy concerns.

Crypto markets saw profit-taking as Bitcoin retreated from near $80,000 to trade at $78,015, while Ethereum and Solana both closed in the red. The broader economic picture showed strain in China, where the Iran conflict is pressuring factory orders and jobs in the export-driven economy, even as the country weathered previous trade disruptions.