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Managed to catch your breath yet?
We did warn since past Monday (April 27) that this was "gonna be a massive week for markets".
And it didn't disappoint.
First, let's check in on our "3 Assets to Watch" for the week:
*questions below were published in our Monday, April 24, report
1) NAS100 to push further into record territory?*
Answer: Yes ✅
This tech-heavy index has now breached the 27,500 psychological level for the first time in its history!
The Nasdaq 100 index also climbed 15.6% in April 2026 - its biggest monthly gain since October 2002!
To be clear, it has yet to reach the lofty heights of 28k which we cited in last Monday's report, given its week-to-date climb of "only" 0.5% (before Friday's US market open).
This week's mixed bag of Big Tech earnings (more on that below) did hamper its upward momentum.
Still, the NAS100's 15.6% monthly climb means it outperformed its major US peers (stock indexes) in April 2026:
S&P 500 (Bybit: SP500): +10.4%, its biggest monthly gain since November 2020
Dow Jones Industrial Average (Bybit: DJ30): 7.1%, its biggest monthly gain since November 2024
Overall, April 2026 clearly was a stellar month for US stock indices, as the relief rally following the US-Iran ceasefire was further boosted by a rebound in AI/tech stocks.
Did you miss out?
How high could the NAS100 go?
According to Bloomberg's survey of Wall Street analysts, the Nasdaq 100 could climb a further 16% over the next 12 months.
2) Alphabet to hit new record high?*
Answer: Yes ✅
Stocks of Google's parent company punched to a new all-time high well past our upside target of $358.12.
GOOG's post-earnings 10% surge yesterday (Thur, Apr 30) was its biggest 1-day gain since April 2024 - also much bigger than the forecasted 4.6% post-earnings reaction.
Alphabet now claims the 2nd-biggest, 1-day market cap increase for any stock ever in history!
Nvidia holds that record of the biggest-ever, 1-day market cap spike, when it added about US$ 440 billion and climbed 18.7% on April 9, 2025 (almost a year ago) after President Trump announced a pause on his tariffs.
Such outperformance vindicated Alphabet's inclusion into our "3 Assets to Watch" for this week.
Why did GOOG soar?
Alphabet, Google's parent company, reported that AI demand is exploding, and their AI investments are paying off.
Also, its Q1 revenue of US$ 94.7 billion was US$ 3 bil higher than expectations, while its $5.11 EPS (earnings per share) was almost DOUBLE that of Wall Street's forecasts.
Alphabet also outperformed all of its "Magnificent 7" peers in April 2026:
AMZN rose just 0.8% on Thur, Apr 30, smaller than the forecasted 5.9% up/down post-earnings move.
Nvidia: +14.4%
Microsoft: +10.2%
MSFT fell 3.9% on Thur, Apr 30, smaller than the forecasted 5.2% up/down post-earnings move.
Meta: +7%
META fell 8.5% on Thur, Apr 30, larger than the forecasted 6.8% up/down post-earnings move.
Apple: +6.9%
APPL is rising about 3% in today's US-pre-market sess ion (Friday, May 1), in line with the forecasted 3.2% up/down post-earnings move.
Tesla: +2.7%
How high could GOOG go?
According to Bloomberg's survey of Wall Street analysts, Alphabet's shares could climb a further 10.4% over the next 12 months.
NOTE: You can trade GOOG stocks (almost) 24 hours a day, 5 days a week on Bybit TradFi.
3) Bitcoin to end April as biggest top-5 gainer for the month?
Answer: Yes ✅
Here's how the world's biggest and oldest crypto stacked up against its big-5 peers by market cap (excluding stablecoins) in April 2026:
However, BTC failed to latch on to the $80k handle yet again, now on the verge of ending a 4-week winning run.
To be certain, it's down just 0.4% week-to-date, since its closing price last Friday, April 24th, and may yet push higher to secure a 5th-consecutive weekly gain.
More importantly, amid this week's declines ...
Bitcoin respected the key support levels we highlighted.
What we wrote this past Monday, April 27th:
DOWNSIDE: A wave of risk aversion could drag BTC to test support around the $75,000 resistance-turned-support region, with its 21-day SMA also potentially offering support.
And Bitcoin duly delivered this week by fulfilling our downside scenario almost perfectly!
READ MORE: Institutional Demand Underpins BTC’s Best Month Since April 2025
Recap: This Week
Beyond fresh record highs and Big Tech earnings, here's a summary of other major macro events you may have missed this week:
Jerome Powell conducted his final post-FOMC press conference as Fed Chair. Although Fed rates were left unchanged this week - as expected - markets believe that the US central bank has adopted a "hawkish tone".
The European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England (BoE) also left their rates unchanged this week, but led markets to believe that rate hikes for both these major central banks may happen in June 2026.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) also left its rates unchanged this week, with Governor Ueda refusing to commit to a June rate hike. However, Japan intervened in its currency this week, making JPY the biggest-gainer against the US dollar this week (USDJPY+ has fallen 1.8% week-to-date).
Brent oil (Bybit: UKOUSD) - the global benchmark - briefly breached $120/bbl to hit its highest levels since the Iran war erupted. However, that psychological level exerted strong resistance yet again.
The UAE also shocked oil markets by announcing that it will leave OPEC beginning today (Friday, May 1st). Although oil prices reacted little on the news, given that the Strait of Hormuz remains practically shut at the time of writing, this decision could reshape oil markets and OPEC's influence in the years and decades ahead.
See? So much happened this week!
Stay up to date on the latest market developments, and spot your next trading/investing opportunities, with Bybit Learn's Market Pulse - published weekdays.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is provided for general information and reflects the author’s views only. It does not constitute investment advice, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments or digital assets. Your ability to access or use any products or services mentioned may be subject to the laws and regulatory requirements of your jurisdiction.
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