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SWI swissinfo.chState / PublicCenterNov 2

Global stock markets experienced volatility on November 2, 2026, as a sharp decline in semiconductor stocks outweighed gains elsewhere, causing the S&P 500 to fall despite broad market strength. Oil prices dropped to approximately $96.50 per barrel following reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian received expanded authority to pursue peace negotiations, a development confirmed by US President Donald Trump. This geopolitical shift occurred just one day before the United States midterm elections, adding a layer of political uncertainty to financial outlooks. Simultaneously, major technology corporations resumed significant borrowing in the US bond market after a three-month hiatus, with Oracle, Meta, and Microsoft issuing tens of billions of dollars in new debt. Corporate news included Anthropic disclosing a massive projected capital expenditure plan and Marvell Technology agreeing to acquire Lumentum Holdings in a $115 billion deal.

Bias read (Center): The article maintains a neutral tone by balancing geopolitical optimism regarding Iran with market data and corporate financial actions, avoiding loaded language or one-sided attribution of blame for market movements.

Le TempsIndependent🔒CenterNov 2

Corporate earnings growth remains robust globally, with year-on-year increases of approximately 24 percent worldwide, 25 percent in Europe, and 30 percent in the United States. While the US technology sector leads with 48 percent profit growth, non-tech sectors within the S&P 500 still show a 17 percent increase, and no major sector reports declining results. Earnings forecasts continue to be revised upward in both the US and Europe despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel. These factors have disrupted the inflation normalization trajectory seen since 2022 and prompted central banks to raise interest rates rather than cut them as initially expected. Consequently, stock market indices have risen by roughly 10 percent in 2026, with slightly higher gains in the US compared to Europe.

Bias read (Center): The article presents standard financial data and market reactions to macroeconomic factors without using loaded language or taking a partisan stance on policy.