Inflation Surprise Rattles Markets as M&A Sparks Wendy's Pop

Macro Takes Centre Stage

April US inflation came in hotter than expected today. Futures for the SPY S&P 500 ETF and QQQ Nasdaq 100 fell sharply on the print. The data complicates the Fed's path. Rate cut bets are being trimmed. Options traders had already been rotating into defensive names like Prologis and Chubb. Today's number validates that caution.

M&A Lights Up Fast Food

Wendy's shares jumped after reports that Nelson Peltz's Trian fund is exploring a buyout. Trian is already a major shareholder. A deal would take the burger chain private. It's one of today's highest-impact stories across financial media.

Chips and Data Centres Stay in Focus

Analysts continued to lift targets across semiconductors and data infrastructure. Vertiv Holdings and Analog Devices both saw consensus targets nudge higher. Bank of America upgraded Autodesk to Buy with a $300 target. Meanwhile, WOLF short interest rocketed to 72.5% of free float — up 20 points in a week. Bears are betting the chipmaker's struggles aren't over.

Earnings Slate Heats Up

The week's biggest results come Wednesday. Cisco reports Q3 after the bell. Analysts want to hear about AI networking demand. Alibaba drops quarterly numbers in the morning. Applied Materials also reports this week. Nuclear play Oklo entered a partnership with Idaho National Laboratory ahead of its own earnings — analysts revised forecasts upward ahead of the call.

Executive Sales Dominate Filings

Apple Chairman Arthur Levinson disclosed $71.2M in share sales. Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey filed a $15.8M disposal. Heavy selling at the top signals insiders are locking in gains at current valuations.