Earnings Season Kicks Off With War, AI Threat Among Key Worries

Earnings season is about to start at a crucial time for stocks traders whipsawed by war in the Middle East, concerns around private credit and the disruptive threat of artificial intelligence.

Both the MSCI World Index and the S&P 500 Index are coming off their worst quarter since 2022, after steep losses in March amid renewed inflation worries with the Iran conflict sparking a surge in oil prices. Data on Friday showed US inflation climbed in March by the most in nearly four years. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment has weakened.