Global stocks just wrapped up another record‑setting week, powered by blockbuster AI and mega‑cap tech earnings even as investors brace for crucial U.S. jobs data and a still‑cautious Fed. The headline story: indices are grinding higher on earnings strength, but the market is increasingly priced for perfection in both growth and rates.

📈 What’s happening

Indexes at fresh highs. The S&P 500 logged its sixth straight weekly gain, finishing the week up around 0.7% and closing at a new record near 7,230, while the Nasdaq also pushed to record territory. So far in 2026, the S&P 500 is up about 8%, with the Nasdaq ahead roughly 13% thanks to tech leadership.Earnings season = AI flex. Q1 earnings are coming in much stronger than feared: FactSet now sees S&P 500 earnings up more than 20%+ year on year, the fastest growth since 2021, with the “Magnificent Seven” (Alphabet, NVIDIA, Amazon, Meta,...