Daily Market Report – April 21, 2026

Market Report – April 21, 2026

In the United States, the S&P 500 (SP:SPX) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NASDAQ:NDX) fell by about 0.6%. In Europe, the DAX (XETR:DAX) also dropped by around 0.6%. The yield on ten-year U.S. Treasury bonds (TVC:US10Y) remained at elevated levels, while the euro against the U.S. dollar (FX:EURUSD) showed little change. New macroeconomic impulses were absent, leading investors' attention to be fully focused on the ongoing earnings season.

At the center of attention was the healthcare company UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), which exceeded market expectations with its quarterly results. The company reported an adjusted earnings per share of $7.23 on revenue of approximately $111.7 billion and simultaneously raised its earnings forecast for the full year. The stock reacted with significant price gains. It was particularly noted that the cost development in the healthcare business stabilized after rising treatment costs had recently caused uncertainty. Market participants interpreted the numbers as an indication that margins in the sector are more robust than previously feared.

In the commodity market, the oil price remained a central factor. The North Sea Brent (TVC:UKOIL) and the U.S. benchmark WTI (TVC:USOIL) were trading at elevated levels, supported by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Major energy companies such as Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) benefited from this, with their stocks showing stable performance. Gold (TVC:GOLD) moved sideways near recent highs.