Overview

• Alphabet reported a 12% revenue increase and a 46% net income jump in Q1, alongside a $70 billion stock buyback and a 5% dividend hike, boosting investor confidence.
• Durable goods orders surged 9.2% in March, driven by businesses accelerating purchases ahead of new tariffs, signaling short-term economic activity.
• U.S.-China trade tensions persist, with conflicting statements about ongoing negotiations and businesses citing tariffs as a key risk to margins and demand.
• Several companies, including Colgate-Palmolive, have cut or withdrawn earnings forecasts, citing the impact of tariffs and global market volatility.
• Tech sector demand for AI infrastructure remains robust, as Amazon Web Services and Nvidia report sustained growth despite broader economic pressures.