Bitcoin's new high, bonds go bananas, and Coinbase joins the S&P 500: Markets news roundup

The U.S. bond market sets the risk-free rate against which every other asset is measured, which is why Ray Dalio calls it “the backbone of all markets.” But this week it’s also become the biggest story in global finance.

Read More

Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, officially joins the S&P 500 today (May 19), replacing Discover Financial Services (DFS) following its acquisition by Capital One (COF). The move marks a major moment of mainstream legitimacy for crypto, which until recently prided itself on being an alternative to the financial system.

Read More

For millions of Americans, “someday” is starting to look like “never” as home ownership moves further and further out of reach.

Mortgage rates briefly surged past 7% this week following Moody’s downgrade of U.S. debt — a symbolic blow already translating into everyday financial strain. The average 30-year fixed mortgage now stands at 6.99%, according to Mortgage News Daily.

Read More

Everyday Americans might feel anxious about inflation and tariffs, but according to JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon, Wall Street hasn’t even begun to worry enough — and that, he says, is a big mistake.

Read More

Bitcoin rose to a new record high on Wednesday, surpassing the previous high it hit earlier this year.

The world’s leading cryptocurrency hit a peak of $109,359.59 Wednesday morning, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Its previous high-water mark came on President Donald Trump’s inauguration day in January. 

Read More

On the surface, the picture looks bright – but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover warning signs. On Tuesday, Home Depot posted Q1 sales rising 9% year-over-year to total nearly $40 billion. However, comparable sales – what existing stores actually brought in – fell 0.3% overall, with only a tiny 0.2% bump in the U.S.

Read More

Apple (AAPL) iPhone exports from China to the U.S. dropped sharply last month, a casualty of the ongoing trade war between the world’s largest economies.

Read More

Companies around the world are bracing for production delays and cost-cutting as a result of the Trump administration’s barrage of tariffs, dampening their confidence, per a new study published Tuesday. 

Read More

Apple (AAPL) stock fell on Friday after President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on iPhones made in India, his latest attempt to strong-arm the tech giant to make its flagship product in the U.S.

Read More