Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
China’s auto market saw a strong rebound in April, with passenger vehicle sales rising 14.8% year-on-year to 1.78 million units, marking the third consecutive monthly increase. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), total car sales for the first four months of 2025 reached 6.97 million units, up 8.2% compared to the same period last year.
A key driver behind this growth is a government-backed trade-in subsidy program favoring new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. NEVs accounted for 50.8% of total car sales in April, soaring 33.9% from a year earlier. By April 24, the program had subsidized 2.71 million vehicles, helping sustain consumer confidence amid rising U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports.
However, China’s car exports fell for the second straight month, down 2.2% in April following an 8% drop in March, highlighting ongoing pressure from international trade tensions.
On the domestic front, consumer enthusiasm for automated-driving systems appears to be waning. BYD’s move to make its “God’s Eye” driver-assistance system standard across all models initially fueled interest, but a recent government clampdown on misleading marketing terms like “smart” and “autonomous” is reshaping public perception. The shift follows a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 EV, which caught fire after crashing into a cement pole when a driver tried to override its assisted-driving mode.
While government incentives continue to boost NEV adoption, evolving consumer priorities and regulatory scrutiny over autonomous tech are reshaping how automakers position their products in the world’s largest auto market.
