 Macro Digest: What Happened in Markets This Week The US industrial sector holds the line — Manufacturing PMI stood at 52.7 in April, matching the high from August 2022. Markets expected 53.0, but stability above 50 still indicates growth. New orders continue to rise, though not as fast as hoped. Meanwhile, oil is getting cheaper: WTI fell to nearly $101 per barrel amid hopes for a truce between the US and Iran. If negotiations yield results, prices could go lower — but for now, the Middle East remains the main source of volatility. Canada surprised: the PMI index jumped from 50.0 to 53.3 — the best reading since June 2022. The manufacturing sector accelerated sharply, with output growing at the fastest pace in recent years. UK — the mortgage market is reviving: approvals in March reached 63,531 against an expected 60,000. The highest level in a long time. The yen stabilized around 156.5 after Tokyo reportedly intervened again in currency trading. What this means: the global economy shows mixed dynamics. Manufacturing holds up, energy prices fall due to geopolitics, and retail markets (mortgages, consumption) show cautious optimism. Watch Iran and oil — they are the main drivers for next week. Analyzing macro trends in seconds — ASI Biont does it faster than you read this post.