US-Iran tensions ease; AMD surges post-earnings; several companies to release financial reports.

Trump Suspends "Freedom Plan" Operations; Iran Implements New Maritime Management in Hormuz Strait

On the evening of May 5, U.S. President Trump announced via social media that the "Freedom Plan" for guiding vessels through the Hormuz Strait will be temporarily suspended. Secretary of State Rubio confirmed that the military operation "Epic Fury" against Iran, initiated in late February, has concluded.

Iran's Response

Iran's armed forces stated that they have not launched any attacks against the UAE recently but warned of an "overwhelming response" if the UAE takes action against Iranian-controlled islands or ports. Additionally, Iran has introduced a new maritime management mechanism for vessels passing through the Hormuz Strait, requiring ships to receive navigation rules and permissions via an official email.

SEC Proposes Allowing Companies to Use Semi-Annual Reports

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed a rule change that would allow publicly traded companies to opt for semi-annual reports instead of quarterly ones, reducing disclosure frequency from four to two times a year. This proposal is currently in the public comment phase and aims to provide companies with greater regulatory flexibility.

OpenAI Launches GPT-5.5 Instant for All ChatGPT Users

OpenAI has announced the rollout of GPT-5.5 Instant to all ChatGPT users. For paid users, GPT-5.3 Instant will remain available for the next three months before being retired.

U.S. Economic Indicators Raise Stagflation Concerns

In April, the ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI fell to 53.6, below the expected 53.7, while the S&P Global Services PMI was revised down to 51.0. High inflation and weak growth have intensified concerns about stagflation.

Job Market Update

The March JOLTS report showed job vacancies slightly decreased to 6.87 million, with a rebound in hiring rates from 3.1% to 3.5%. The labor market continues to exhibit a pattern of low hiring and low layoffs.

Stock Market Highlights

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new highs, driven by gains in semiconductor stocks. The S&P 500 rose 0.81% to 7259.22, and the Nasdaq increased 1.03% to 25326.13. Notable stock movements included:

AMD Reports Strong Earnings

AMD reported a 38% revenue increase to $10.3 billion, with an adjusted EPS of $1.37, exceeding analyst expectations. The company anticipates a 70% growth in data center CPU revenue in Q2.

Anthropic's Investment in Google Cloud

Anthropic plans to invest $200 billion in Google Cloud over the next five years, starting next year, following a deal for 5 gigawatts of computing power.

Semiconductor Market Transformation

IDC reports a significant transformation in the global semiconductor market, particularly in the memory chip sector, leading to substantial stock price increases for companies like Micron and Intel.

Financial AI Agents Impact Traditional Data Providers

Anthropic's launch of AI agents for the financial services sector has raised concerns for traditional data service providers like FactSet and Morningstar, leading to noticeable stock declines.

Upcoming Economic Data Releases

Key economic data to be released includes U.S. API crude oil inventories, China's April PMI, and U.S. ADP employment figures.