Gold sinks below $5,000 after breaking records, Amazon and Alphabet earnings preview

Market Overview - Stocks are experiencing a decline, with significant movements in the metals market, particularly gold and silver, which are seeing record drops [1][2]. - Gold futures are down 7%, with a peak decline of over 11%, marking the largest drop since the early 1980s. Silver futures have fallen more than 26% [2]. Federal Reserve Nomination - President Trump has nominated Kevin Worsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, with Worsh perceived as a hawkish figure, which may influence interest rate policies [5][6]. - Trump expressed a desire for rate cuts but did not directly ask Worsh about his commitment to this [6][7]. - Analysts suggest that if Worsh is confirmed, he will need to persuade a divided Federal Reserve committee regarding his policies [8][11]. Economic Indicators - St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalum indicated that current interest rates are neutral and does not favor further cuts due to inflation concerns [9][10]. - Fed Governor Chris Waller dissented in a recent policy meeting, advocating for a rate cut due to job market weaknesses [10]. Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin remains stable around $84,000 despite volatility in other markets, with analysts noting that Worsh's hawkish stance may not support a crypto rally [4][25]. Company Earnings and Market Sentiment - Deckers Outdoor reported stronger-than-expected sales, particularly driven by its Hoka running shoes, leading to a positive market reaction [41][43]. - Verizon's earnings exceeded expectations, with wireless subscriber numbers at a six-year high, despite announcing mass layoffs [45][46]. - Bombardier's stock is under pressure due to potential tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft, with a noted decline of 6.3% [48][49]. SoFi's Growth - SoFi reported its first quarter with over $1 billion in revenue, driven by a 37% revenue growth, indicating strong consumer demand [52][57]. - The company is expanding its offerings in cryptocurrency and aims for continued growth in the financial services sector [60][64]. Tech Sector Outlook - Analysts are optimistic about Alphabet and Amazon, with expectations for strong earnings driven by advertising growth and cloud services [97][106]. - Google's Gemini is expected to enhance search capabilities and overall revenue growth, while Amazon's AWS is anticipated to accelerate, contributing to its profitability [100][108].