What triggered the yen's biggest one-day gain in three years, and what evidence supports that it was due to Japanese government intervention?

The yen surged more than 2%—its biggest gain in three years—after Japan intervened in the foreign-exchange market hours after officials issued a 'final' warning against selling the currency. The Nikkei newspaper, citing a government official, reported that the Finance Ministry bought yen and sold dollars; traders and strategists corroborated this, noting the abruptness of the move as a clear indicator of official action.

Why did US stock futures rise, and which specific corporate and macroeconomic factors were cited as drivers?

US equity-index futures rose due to Wall Street's climb to fresh highs, driven by resilient US economic growth and solid corporate earnings—particularly from tech megacaps like Apple Inc., which reported better-than-expected revenue fueled by strong iPhone and Mac demand. Supporting macroeconomic data included accelerated first-quarter GDP growth (boosted by AI business investment), a better-than-expected 1.6% rise in consumer spending, and a 0.7% increase in the PCE price index—the Fed's preferred inflation gauge—the largest monthly rise since 2022.

US Stock Futures Rise on Tech Earnings, Yen Gains: Markets Wrap

Apr 30, 2026

US stock futures rose on tech earnings and economic data, with oil prices retreating from peaks and Japan intervening in forex markets. Eli Lilly raised forecasts on soaring obesity medication demand, while Caterpillar reported strong equipment sales.

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