The S&P 500 surged 1.46% to 7,365.12 on Wednesday, May 6, its first close above 7,300, after Axios reported that the US and Iran are nearing a deal that would include a moratorium on nuclear enrichment. WTI crude crashed roughly 7% toward $95 per barrel and Brent fell to approximately $103.
The Nasdaq jumped 2.02% to a record 25,838.94 and the Dow gained 612 points to 49,910.59. Eurozone services PMI was confirmed in contraction at 47.6, with German services at 46.9 and French services at 46.5, while India’s services PMI surged to 58.8. Below: the deal report’s details, the EZ recession signal, the UK’s continued outperformance, and what Friday’s payrolls mean for the incoming Fed Chair Warsh.
The Big Three
• S&P 500 closes at record 7,365.12 (+1.46%) after Axios reports US and Iran nearing a deal with a nuclear-enrichment moratorium, sending oil down 7% and the Nasdaq to 25,839.
• Eurozone services PMI confirmed at 47.6, deep in contraction, while EZ PPI surged 3.4% month-on-month (consensus 3.3%), confirming the continent’s stagflationary trap with 0.1% GDP growth.
• India composite PMI holds at 58.2 with services at 58.8, the strongest reading globally for the second consecutive month, as China Caixin services beat at 52.6 and UK composite surged to 52.6.
Economic Dashboard
| INDICATOR | LATEST | PREV | Δ DAY | Δ YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,365.12 | 7,259.22 | +1.46% | +20.1% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 25,838.94 | 25,326.13 | +2.02% | +24.3% |
| Dow Jones | 49,910.59 | 49,298.25 | +1.24% | +9.6% |
| WTI Crude | ~$95 | $102.27 | ~-7% | +32% |
| Brent Crude | ~$103 | $109.87 | ~-6% | +30% |
| EZ Services PMI (Apr Final) | 47.6 | 50.2 | -2.6pts | -4.8pts |
| UK Composite PMI (Apr Final) | 52.6 | 50.3 | +2.3pts | +1.8pts |
| India Composite PMI (Apr) | 58.2 | 57.0 | +1.2pts | +4.1pts |
| EZ PPI MoM (Mar) | 3.4% | -0.6% | +4.0pp | +5.1pp |
| US ADP Employment (Apr) | 109K | 61K | +48K | n/a |
As of close, May 6, 2026. Sources: CNBC Markets, S&P Global PMI, Trading Economics.
US and Iran reportedly nearing deal as S&P 500 surges past 7,300 for the first time
Axios reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that the US and Iran are getting close to a deal that would include a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, according to CNBC. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson told CNBC that Iran was “evaluating” a US proposal. President Trump later said it was a “perhaps, a big assumption” Iran would agree. WTI crude crashed roughly 7% toward $95 and Brent fell to approximately $103. The S&P 500 surged 1.46% to 7,365.12, the Nasdaq gained 2.02% to 25,838.94, and the Dow added 612 points to 49,910.59. All three indexes closed at records.
AMD surged 18% after beating Q1 earnings and revenue estimates, with CEO Lisa Su telling CNBC that “agentic AI” is driving “tremendous demand” for CPUs, according to Schwab’s market update. Arm Holdings jumped 13% ahead of its earnings report. Nvidia announced a partnership with Corning for three new advanced manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Texas dedicated to optical technologies, creating at least 3,000 jobs. Disney rose 4% on earnings. S&P 500 Q1 earnings are now expected to grow 14% YoY, up from 12% estimates at end of March, with full-year 2026 earnings projected to rise 18.7%, according to Edward Jones. Treasury yields fell as declining energy prices reduced near-term inflation concerns.
Eurozone services PMI confirmed at 47.6 as PPI surges 3.4% MoM
The eurozone services PMI was confirmed at 47.6 in April (prior 50.2), with the composite at 48.8 (prior 50.7), according to S&P Global. German services held at 46.9 (prior 50.9) and French services at 46.5 (prior 48.8). Spain’s services PMI crashed to 47.9 (consensus 51.9, prior 53.3), the sharpest decline in the eurozone periphery. Italian services improved to 49.8 (consensus 47.9), a rare positive revision. Eurozone PPI surged 3.4% MoM in March (consensus 3.3%, prior -0.6%) and 2.1% YoY (consensus 1.8%, prior -3.0%), according to Eurostat. The annual swing from -3.0% to +2.1% is a 5.1-percentage-point reversal in a single month.
France’s industrial production beat at 1.0% MoM (consensus 0.5%, prior -0.9%), and Italian retail sales surprised at 0.8% MoM (consensus -0.4%), with YoY growth surging to 3.7% from 1.6%. Spain’s services collapse from 53.3 to 47.9 is the most dramatic single-month deterioration in the eurozone periphery this year. Portuguese unemployment rose to 6.1% from 5.8%. ECB’s Lane spoke, and German Bundesbank VP Buch delivered two remarks. The eurozone’s position is now unambiguous: services in recession (47.6), PPI surging (3.4% MoM), GDP at 0.1% QoQ, and inflation expectations de-anchoring (49.1). The Iran deal hope offers a potential relief valve, but the structural damage from two months of $100+ oil is already embedded in the data.
UK composite PMI revised up to 52.6 as services surge, defying the eurozone trend
The UK composite PMI was revised up to 52.6 from the 52.0 flash (prior 50.3), and services rose to 52.7 from 52.0 flash, according to S&P Global. The UK is now outperforming the eurozone by 4.0 points on composite PMI (52.6 vs 48.6), by 5.8 points on services (52.7 vs 46.9 for Germany), and continues to post positive GDP growth (0.5% MoM in February), lower unemployment (4.9%), and stronger earnings (3.8%). The divergence between the UK and the eurozone has widened every month since the war began and is now at its most extreme point. The UK’s flexible labor market, services-dominant economy, and independent monetary policy are proving structurally more resilient than the eurozone’s industrial-heavy, energy-dependent model.
India services PMI 58.8 leads the world as China Caixin services beats at 52.6
India’s services PMI rose to 58.8 in April (prior 57.5) and the composite held at 58.2 (prior 57.0), both the strongest readings globally for the second consecutive month, according to S&P Global. India is the only major economy where both manufacturing (54.7) and services (58.8) are expanding strongly and simultaneously. China’s Caixin services PMI beat at 52.6 (consensus 52.0, prior 52.1), suggesting the private-sector services economy is holding up better than the official NBS non-manufacturing index (49.4) indicated. Korea CPI rose to 2.6% YoY (inline) from 2.2%, with the MoM at 0.5%. Korea’s FX reserves rose to $427.88 billion from $423.66 billion.
The global services PMI hierarchy on Wednesday confirmed the war’s growth map: India 58.8, UK 52.7, China Caixin 52.6, US ISM 53.6 (from Tuesday), Italy 49.8, Spain 47.9, EZ aggregate 47.6, France 46.5, Germany 46.9. The economies with the strongest services sectors are either energy-self-sufficient (US), domestically driven (India), or structurally flexible (UK). The weakest are Europe’s largest economies, where the energy shock has destroyed consumer purchasing power.
ADP shows 109,000 jobs as EIA draws 2.3M barrels ahead of Friday’s payrolls
ADP reported private-sector employment grew by 109,000 in April (consensus 118,000, prior 61,000 revised), according to ADP Research. The miss versus consensus is modest, but the improvement from March’s downwardly revised 61,000 is significant. Schwab’s daily update noted that lower-paying services employment far outpaced goods-producing jobs, and recommended watching Friday’s payrolls for downward revisions to prior months. MBA mortgage rates rose to 6.45% from 6.37%, and mortgage applications fell 4.4%.
EIA crude inventories drew 2.313 million barrels (consensus -3.4 million, prior -6.234 million), with gasoline drawing 2.504 million (consensus -1.7 million) and distillates falling 1.294 million. Cushing inventories fell 648,000 barrels. The draws are smaller than last week’s massive readings but still confirm supply tightness. Mexico’s gross fixed investment fell 4.2% YoY (consensus -2.1%), deepening the investment contraction that is now accompanying Mexico’s GDP recession (-0.8% QoQ). Brazil’s services PMI jumped to 52.3 from 50.1 and the composite rose to 52.4 from 49.9, according to S&P Global. Brazil FX inflows continued at $3.307 billion (prior $9.184 billion). Canada’s Ivey PMI surged to 57.7 (consensus 49.9), a massive beat. South Africa’s Standard Bank PMI improved to 51.6 from 50.8.
What to Watch Tomorrow and Friday
Thursday, May 7 · Shell Q1 earnings (Brent assumptions and production guidance critical with oil at $95-103)
Thursday, May 7 · McDonald’s, Airbnb, Coinbase, CoreWeave, Gilead report after close
Thursday, May 7 · US Initial Jobless Claims (prior 189K cycle low; any rebound above 210K signals softening)
Thursday, May 7 · US Construction Spending, February (housing starts beat at 1.502M last week)
Friday, May 8 · US Nonfarm Payrolls, April (consensus ~185K; ADP at 109K suggests modest downside risk; JOLTS hiring at 3.5% suggests upside)
Friday, May 8 · Canada Employment, April (BoC on hold at 2.25%; Ivey PMI at 57.7 suggests labor strength)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the US and Iran close to a peace deal?
Axios reported on May 6, 2026, that the US and Iran are nearing a deal that would include a moratorium on nuclear enrichment. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that Iran is evaluating a US proposal. However, President Trump cautioned it is a “big assumption” Iran would agree. WTI crude fell roughly 7% on the report. No timeline or official text has been published.
Why are eurozone services PMIs in contraction?
The eurozone services PMI confirmed at 47.6 in April, down from 50.2 in March, reflecting the energy shock’s damage to consumer spending. German services fell to 46.9, French to 46.5, and Spanish services crashed to 47.9 from 53.3. Elevated fuel and utility costs are destroying household purchasing power across the continent, while EZ PPI surged 3.4% month-on-month, indicating the producer-price pass-through is still accelerating.
What does ADP at 109,000 mean for Friday’s payrolls?
ADP reported 109,000 private-sector jobs added in April, below the 118,000 consensus but nearly double March’s revised 61,000. ADP and nonfarm payrolls often diverge, but the modest miss suggests Friday’s report (consensus approximately 185,000) could come in slightly below expectations. The JOLTS hiring rate at 3.5% from Tuesday, however, argues for upside. Wage growth will be the critical variable for Fed policy.
How does the UK economy compare to the eurozone right now?
The UK composite PMI at 52.6 versus the eurozone at 48.6 represents a 4.0-point gap, the widest since the war began. UK GDP grew 0.5% in February, unemployment fell to 4.9%, and wages rose 3.8%. The eurozone posted 0.1% Q1 GDP growth, German retail collapsed 2.0%, and unemployment is rising in Spain (10.83%), France, and Portugal (6.1%). The UK’s services-oriented, flexible economy is outperforming the eurozone’s industrial, energy-dependent model.
Why is India’s PMI the strongest in the world?
India’s composite PMI at 58.2 with services at 58.8 and manufacturing at 54.7 makes it the strongest major economy by PMI metrics for the second consecutive month. India’s growth is driven by domestic demand (bank loan growth at 16.1%), digital economy expansion, and infrastructure investment. Unlike most economies, both India’s manufacturing and services sectors are expanding simultaneously. FX reserves at a record $700.95 billion provide the RBI with buffer against oil-price volatility.
Updated: 2026-05-07T08:00:00Z by Matt Camenzind
Previously: Global Economy Briefing — May 6, 2026 · Global Economy Briefing — May 5, 2026 · Global Economy Briefing — May 1, 2026 · Sources: Trading Economics · CNBC Markets · S&P Global PMI · The Rio Times