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Consumer confidence is hovering at historic lows, and Americans are increasingly worried about inflation intensifying as a result of Middle East conflicts. Earlier this month, the University of Michigan's preliminary April Consumer Confidence Index dropped from 53.3 in March to a record low of 47.6. The final value will be released on Friday. Despite weakening expectations among Americans, strong corporate earnings, a rebound in artificial intelligence trading, and overall economic resilience are supporting stock market performance. The greatest concern for consumers is oil prices, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up refueling costs.

Medallia's debt restructuring will result in Thoma Bravo losing billions of dollars in equity. (Reuters)

The Council on Foreign Relations found in research shared with Bloomberg that since Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, the US government has announced 15 investment agreements aimed at accelerating and strengthening supply chains for rare earth minerals, semiconductors, and other critical sectors. The companies involved are diverse, ranging from Intel, which made the largest investment commitment, to Westinghouse Electric Company and MP Materials, which operates the only rare earth mine in the United States.