Markets are heading into Friday with futures higher and the NASDAQ leading after a calm week for major indexes. Commodities showed more volatility, with oil rising strongly while gold and silver remain on sell signals. Copper is being closely watched due to supply concerns that could impact production later this year.
Semiconductor stocks delivered standout gains, with several names up more than 20% on the week and Intel surging pre-market. Transportation weakness was driven mainly by a sharp pullback in Avis Budget, while Southwest Airlines remains in a trading range and on a new sell signal. Energy stocks in both Canada and the U.S. have shifted back to buy signals.
Stephen Whiteside
Friday, April 24, 2026
