OTC:BCBC 16 December 2025

May 1, 2026, 6:11 PM EDT. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record closing highs on Friday, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and declining crude oil prices. Both indexes recorded their sixth straight weekly gains, the longest since October 2024. April marked the second-best month for the S&P 500 since 1950, with earnings growth reaching 27.8% year-on-year, the strongest since late 2021. Analysts noted 83% of companies beat earnings estimates, fueling optimism for continued momentum into May. Despite geopolitical tensions and concerns over inflation linked to higher energy costs, investors remain focused on sustained earnings strength. U.S. factory activity expands amid rising input costs, reflecting mixed economic signals as markets navigate supply disruptions and inflation pressures.