US President Donald Trump has said he is confident the US will strike a trade deal with Europe before his 90-day tariff pause expires, as talks with top global economies accelerate. He also downplayed China's influence, vowing a "very good deal" with Beijing and aligning with Italy's Giorgia Meloni on energy and defense cooperation.

Treasury yields climbed Thursday in a low-volume session, with long bonds leading the sell-off as rising oil prices and weak TIPS demand lifted inflation expectations. A steepening curve mirrored similar moves in Europe, while President Donald Trump's renewed criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Powell added uncertainty around US rate policy.

China has stopped importing US liquefied natural gas since early February after new tariffs made shipments uneconomical, signaling how trade tensions have now disrupted energy flows. The decision may strengthen China's ties with Russia and cast doubt on the future of long-term US LNG export projects to the country.

The US Federal Reserve has proposed changes to stress tests for major banks, including averaging results over two years and giving banks an additional three months to adjust to capital requirements. The move aims to make the process more transparent and less volatile. Governor Michael Barr criticized the proposal, warning it could create a false sense of security, while Governor Adriana Kugler supported the plan but raised concerns about reduced responsiveness to current economic conditions. Public comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

The dollar's safe-haven status is under scrutiny as it weakens amid President Donald Trump's trade policies. From April 2 to April 16, the S&P 500 fell 7%, while the WSJ Dollar Index dropped 4%. Investors are turning to alternative safe havens such as gold and the yen, both of which have risen significantly. The shift could have long-term implications for the US economy, particularly in financing fiscal deficits.

DraftKings has withdrawn its application for a derivatives license, backing away from federally regulated prediction markets like those run by rival Kalshi. "DraftKings continues to monitor developments related to prediction markets as an emerging product that reflects evolving consumer engagement and warrants thoughtful consideration," a spokesperson for the company said.

MMSB Murmurs DraftKings just backed away from a potential transformative pivot into prediction markets, pulling its NFA application as Kalshi and a new CFTC tilt reshape the space.

But with regulators warming and rivals gaining ground, this might just be a strategic timeout, not a full retreat-- Matt

US President Donald Trump's tariff policies have triggered chaos in foreign exchange options markets, as hedge funds rushed to short the dollar and dealers struggled to manage sudden spikes in volatility. On April 11, EUR/USD trades were more volatile than Turkish lira pairs, leaving even seasoned traders stunned.

The American Egg Board will donate 30,000 eggs to the White House Easter Egg Roll despite national shortages, assuring the move won't impact grocery prices. President Trump declined to use plastic eggs, upholding the 140-year tradition with real, non-retail-sized eggs for families and children.