Global Morning Briefing: US markets hit new highs
The US stock market closed at record highs on Tuesday, May 26, as S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices surged. Hopes for a US-Iran peace deal pushed WTI crude oil below $90 for the first time in three weeks, boosting risk appetite and driving gains in semiconductor and AI sectors. Korean investors should pay close attention to both the decline in energy prices and the strength in semiconductors.
Global Morning Briefing — 2026-05-27
Market Snapshot
| Metric | Close/Current | Change |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | Record High | Up |
| Nasdaq Composite | Record High | Up |
| Dow Jones | Up | Up |
| WTI Crude | Below $90 (1st time in 3 weeks) | Down |
| Brent Crude | — | Up (diverging from WTI) |
Note: Yahoo Finance snapshots are image-based, so specific index figures cannot be confirmed. We recommend checking real-time data from the sources provided.
US Market Closing Review
Wall Street saw a strong rally on Tuesday, May 26, fueled by expectations of a US-Iran peace deal. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit record closing highs, contrasting with a slight decline in European markets.
Reports that the US and Iran were nearing a peace agreement revitalized risk-on sentiment. WTI crude futures fell below $90 a barrel for the first time in three weeks. However, Brent crude trended upward, reflecting ongoing uncertainty regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tech stocks, particularly chipmakers, led the gains, driven by AI-related momentum. Pre-market reports of Kevin Warsh’s scheduled appointment to the Federal Reserve further boosted market optimism.
Wall St ends lower as inflation worries push up yields | Reuters
Wall Street ends lower on mounting inflation worries | Reuters
S&P 500, Nasdaq end higher, notch weekly gains after earnings-heavy week | Reuters
Nasdaq leads equity losses with oil, borrowing costs in focus | Reuters
S&P 500 ends down as chip stocks give up gains | Reuters
Key Stocks to Watch (At least 5)
Gainers
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Semiconductor/Chip stocks — Bullish: Driven by AI momentum and US-Iran peace hopes. Continued AI theme acceleration led buying across the sector.
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APP (Applovin Corporation) — Bullish: Appeared on the S&P 500 top pre-market movers list on Tuesday.
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SDA — Bullish: Cited as one of the top movers and gainers during Tuesday’s session.
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TAP (Molson Coors Beverage) — Watch: Mentioned as a major mover in the S&P 500 session on Tuesday.
Losers
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European Market-linked / Global Industrials: Faced discriminatory selling pressure as European markets closed lower, unlike their US counterparts.
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BIYA (Baiya International Group, NASDAQ): Noted as a decliner in the industrial sector during Tuesday's session.
Macro & Economic Indicators
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US-Iran Peace Negotiations: Reports suggest the two nations are near a deal to end hostilities. WTI fell below $90, and the Dollar Index weakened, easing energy-related inflation expectations.
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Kevin Warsh’s Fed Appointment: Reported for May 27. The market is closely watching for potential shifts in monetary policy, as he is viewed as an influential figure regarding inflation and interest rate forecasts.
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Inflation & Treasury Yields: Following the 30-year Treasury yield breaking 5% (highest since 2007) and PPI data, inflation concerns had been building. The optimism surrounding the peace deal partially eased these fears, though risks regarding Brent crude and the Strait of Hormuz remain.
Top Global News (by Market Impact)
US-Iran Peace Talks Trigger Risk-On
- What happened: Reports of a potential deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz pushed WTI below $90. Brent crude rose, widening the spread and highlighting continued uncertainty.
- Market Implication: Lower energy prices are generally positive for energy-importing markets like Korea, benefiting chemical, airline, and shipping sectors, though volatility remains high.
AI Momentum Re-accelerates
- What happened: AI themes propelled chipmakers to new highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
- Market Implication: Positive spillover effects are expected for major Korean semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, with potential for improved foreign fund inflows.
Strait of Hormuz Supply Anxiety
- What happened: Reuters reported that global markets could hit a critical point within months if no breakthrough is reached, warning that investors might be underestimating real-world oil shocks while focused on the AI boom.
- Market Implication: Failure to reach a deal could lead to energy price spikes, burdening Korean inflation and the current account.
Fed Tension: Rates vs. Energy Prices
- What happened: UBP’s weekly report (May 26) noted that the market is balancing interest rate expectations with geopolitical developments. Kevin Warsh’s appointment adds a new variable to the policy outlook.
- Market Implication: The KRW/USD exchange rate may stabilize if the dollar weakness continues, though domestic bond yields remain sensitive to US rate trends.
Korea Market Checkpoints
With the US market at all-time highs, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ are likely to open higher on May 27. Foreign buying of major semiconductor stocks is expected to resume. While cheaper energy is a plus, the uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz calls for caution in the energy and chemical sectors. Monitor the KRW/USD exchange rate, which may see downward stabilization toward the 1,360–1,370 range.
Watch List
- Economic Data/Events: Keep an eye out for US Durable Goods Orders (KST evening to midnight).
- Earnings: Signet Jewelers (SIG) to report on June 2.
- Fed/Policy: Watch for any statements following Kevin Warsh’s appointment.
- Risks: 1) Stalled Iran negotiations triggering a risk-off shift. 2) Persistent Brent crude strength reigniting inflation concerns.
Investor Action Items
- Morning Strategy: Watch opening prices for semiconductors and AI-related stocks. If the gap is too large, be wary of short-term profit-taking.
- Sectors to Watch: Monitor domestic refiners, chemicals, and airlines. Adjust energy sector exposure based on real-time news flow.
- Risk Management: Negotiations are uncertain until finalized. Maintain sector diversification rather than concentrating solely on this event, and use WTI’s $90 level as a technical benchmark for stops or re-entries.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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