Airbus landed a roughly $19 billion order in what is being billed as Canada’s largest aircraft deal, underscoring strong airline demand even as geopolitical tensions roil markets.
NBC reported the US has shelved President Trump’s “Project Freedom” after Saudi Arabia declined to permit use of its bases and airspace, leaving Washington waiting on Tehran’s response to a proposed peace memo. In Ukraine, Moscow has urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv amid heightened tensions, while President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned he could target Russian Victory Day plans on May 9.
Diplomatic friction extended to Europe, where negotiators from the European Parliament and member states failed to agree on proposed amendments to a pact struck with Washington last year.
Energy and commodities remained sensitive to the regional unrest. Shell reported profits above expectations as the Iran conflict continued to underpin oil prices and trading revenues. Brent crude slipped another 3% to about $98 a barrel.
Central-bank moves and markets outlooks added to the mixed backdrop. Mexico’s central bank, Banxico, is set to deliver what officials frame as the final rate cut in the current easing cycle. Asian markets reopened strongly from holidays: Japan jumped about 3%, while Hong Kong and mainland China gained roughly 1.6% and 0.6% respectively. European equities traded flat and US futures pointed to a muted open after recent strong gains.
Investors are now weighing whether the high-profile aircraft order and earnings resilience can offset the persistent geopolitical risks that continue to set the market tone.
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