S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
Australia’s NAB Business Confidence Index rose to -24 in April 2026 from -29 in the previous month, which had marked the second-largest monthly drop on record. The survey flagged mounting strain from surging energy costs tied to the Middle East conflict, squeezing margins and curbing investment. Meanwhile, business conditions slid to 3 from 6, the second-lowest since 2020 and the fourth straight decline. NAB economist Michael Hayes warned rising costs were eroding activity, with forward orders, capex, cash flow, and employment all well below norms. Capital expenditure plunged 8 points, its sharpest drop since the post-pandemic rebound. Cost pressures intensified: purchase costs rose 4.5% qoq, far outpacing selling price growth of 1.8%, while retail prices jumped to 3.2% from 0.6%. The weak survey comes as the central bank lifted rates for a third consecutive meeting to 4.35%, amid concern firms may pass higher energy costs to consumers, stoking inflation expectations.
