Apple’s iPhone shipments in China rose 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest growth among major vendors, according to Counterpoint Research data cited by Reuters on April 17. The gain lifted Apple to a 19% share of the Chinese smartphone market, behind Huawei which retained the top spot with a 20% share and modest 2% growth. Overall Chinese smartphone shipments fell about 4% in Q1 as rising memory chip prices and supply-chain disruptions pushed vendors to raise retail prices, hitting budget models hardest. Xiaomi’s shipments plunged roughly 35% year-on-year, while Oppo and Honor fell about 5% and 3% respectively; Vivo grew by 2%. Analysts said Apple’s durability perception, the iPhone 17 series, targeted promotions and some government subsidies helped sustain demand. Counterpoint flagged further headwinds for the market in Q2 as component costs stay elevated, but expected Apple and Huawei to be relatively resilient. The data points to continued market polarization between premium and budget segments amid global memory-cost pressures and shifting component demand.

A civil lawsuit filed in New York County Supreme Court on April 27, 2026, accuses JPMorgan Chase executive director Lorna Hajdini of drugging, sexually assaulting and racially abusing a junior colleague, then threatening his career when he refused her advances. The plaintiff initially filed under the pseudonym “John Doe” and has been publicly identified in media reports as Chirayu Rana, a former leveraged finance team member now said to work at Bregal Sagemount. The complaint alleges repeated incidents beginning in 2024, including unwanted sexual contact, use of Rohypnol and performance‑enhancing drugs, unauthorised access to the complainant’s bank account, and retaliatory actions after an internal complaint in May 2025. The suit names JPMorgan as a defendant, alleging the bank failed to protect the employee and retaliated by placing him on involuntary leave and limiting his access. JPMorgan says an internal review found no evidence to substantiate the claims and that the complainant did not fully cooperate; Hajdini denies the allegations. The filing was briefly withdrawn for corrections and no trial date or legal finding has been reported; the plaintiff seeks damages for lost earnings, emotional distress and reputational harm.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he will remain on the Fed’s seven‑member Board of Governors after his term as chair ends on May 15, 2026, announcing he will “keep a low profile” but stay until a probe into Fed renovations is fully resolved. Powell’s continuation as a governor — a move that blocks President Donald Trump from immediately filling a seat — comes as the Fed held its policy rate at 3.50%-3.75% after a fractious two‑day meeting that produced the largest dissent on the policy statement since 1992. The Senate Banking Committee on April 29‑30 advanced Trump nominee Kevin Warsh to the full Senate on a 13‑11 party‑line vote; a confirmation vote could come in mid‑May. Justice Department U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has referred the renovation inquiry to the Fed’s inspector general, while reserving the right to reopen a criminal probe. Warsh has pledged “regime change” at the Fed, including looser communications and possible rate cuts, even as several policymakers flagged rising inflation and geopolitical oil risks.

Meta Platforms Inc. reported strong first-quarter results at the end of April 2026 — beating expectations with EPS above estimates and robust revenue — but markets punished the stock after management signalled a step-up in capital spending to fund an expanded AI data‑centre buildout. Shares plunged about 8–9% on April 30, trading near $610 amid heavy volume, after the company raised 2026 capex guidance and disclosed large insider sales. Investors also digested a new $25 billion investment‑grade bond offering launched April 30, where subscription and pricing showed weaker demand than a prior sale, and a spike in hedging costs. Analysts reacted unevenly: some banks trimmed price targets or downgraded, while others raised targets or maintained buy ratings. Fund moves included ARK Investment buying 47,200 shares on April 30. Proprietary screens cited a high quality GF Score (~98) and a GF Value implying the stock was ~20–21% below intrinsic estimates, underscoring a split between fundamentals and near‑term investor caution.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. reported a strong first quarter after completing its acquisition of rival AssuredPartners, with management citing both M&A and organic gains. The insurance broker said commissions rose sharply to $3.12 billion and fees climbed 27.7% year-on-year, while organic revenue grew about 5%. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $4.47 and consolidated revenue was roughly $4.76 billion, driving a reported net earnings attributable to controlling interests of $912 million for the quarter ended March 31. Gallagher completed the AssuredPartners purchase in August 2025 and closed a string of tuck-in deals that contributed materially to the 28% combined brokerage and risk-management revenue growth. Management reaffirmed mid-single-digit organic growth guidance, highlighted $160 million-plus of targeted synergies from AssuredPartners integration, continued share repurchases and declared a $0.70 quarterly dividend. Executives also pointed to increased use of AI, automation and digitisation to boost productivity. The company warned that moderating property pricing remains a headwind even as casualty, specialty and selective reinsurance repricing support new-business momentum.

The US Federal Reserve on April 29–30 left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% for a third consecutive meeting, citing elevated inflation and heightened uncertainty from the Middle East and rising energy prices. The 8–4 decision was the Fed’s most divided since 1992, with multiple dissents against language signaling potential future cuts. Chair Jerome Powell confirmed he will step down as chair on May 15 but intends to remain on the Fed’s Board of Governors for an unspecified period, potentially through early 2028, saying recent legal and political attacks have threatened the institution’s independence and that he is awaiting the conclusion of an internal investigation before fully departing. President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed him, Kevin Warsh, has been approved by the Senate Banking Committee; Mr Warsh has advocated changes to the Fed’s models and communications. Fed officials left an easing bias in their statement but signalled cuts are not imminent as inflation remains above the 2% target and labour and housing data send mixed signals. Markets reacted with higher Treasury yields and a firmer dollar.