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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NOW, IGV, PANW, CRWD either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Wall Street’s major averages ended the week mixed, even as the S&P 500 (SP500) and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP:IND) jumped to new highs as the conflict in the Middle East continued to lack resolution while oil prices rose.

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would extend its ceasefire with Iran until a coordinated plan for an end to the war, which would include Israel, was brought forward. However, he has left the ongoing blockade in place.

He also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire agreement after Iranian forces fired upon ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including a French vessel and a British freighter. Later, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any vessel found placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz with “no hesitation.”

Iran has said it will not participate in a second round of talks with the U.S., objecting to what it described as excessive and unrealistic demands from Washington. Also, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has reportedly stepped down as Tehran’s lead negotiator.

Lastly, Trump announced that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended for another three weeks after hosting the ambassadors of both countries in Washington.

Crude oil futures (CL1:COM) increased around 13.2% this week to settle around $94, and Brent futures (CO1:COM) also rose 17.2% to $105 per barrel as of post-market Friday.

In economic news, retail sales jumped more than expected in March, while February business inventories rose +0.4% MoM to $2,686.8B vs. +0.2% consensus, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Also, the AAII survey showed that bullish sentiment among individual investors surged, while bearish views declined. Lastly, the Consumer Sentiment Index was revised up in April to 49.8 from the initial 47.6 and 53.3 in March.

For the week, the S&P (SP500) gained +0.6%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP:IND) rose +1.5% and the blue-chip Dow (DJI) declined -0.4%. Read a preview of next week’s major events in Seeking Alpha’s Catalyst Watch.

Customs and Border Protection launched a tariff refund portal this week, with thousands of companies rushing to file claims for the duties they paid over the past year. It’s unclear how many of them will pass the benefit on to consumers, but retailers like Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) stand to receive billions in refunds, while the tech, media and telecom industry could get over $47B. Read more.

Seeking Alpha’s Calls Of The Week

Berkshire (BRK.B): Abel Arbitrage, Strong Returns Post-Buffett.

Star Bulk’s (SBLK) Updated Dividend Policy, Macro Tailwinds.

Trump’s Green Light – Cannabis Stocks (MSOS) Are Surging.

The Worst Is Now Over, Here’s Why It’s Time To Buy FSCO.

Orion Properties (ONL): Refinancing Risk Is Off The Table.

Enterprise Products (EPD) May See Limited Upside In 2026.

Enbridge (ENB): Moving To The Sidelines After A Great Run.

Locking In Gains – Sell Amazon (AMZN) On Anthropic Spike.

Campbell’s (CPB) Is A Sell Amid Troubling Core Inefficiencies.

Here’s Why It’s Time To Move On From Coterra Energy (CTRA).

Weekly Movement

U.S. Indices
Dow -0.4% to 49,231. S&P 500 +0.6% to 7,165. Nasdaq +1.5% to 24,837. Russell 2000 +0.4% to 2,787. CBOE Volatility Index +7% to 18.71.

S&P 500 Sectors
Consumer Staples +1.2%. Utilities +0.1%. Financials -1.9%. Telecom -0.8%. Healthcare -3.1%. Industrials -0.6%. Information Technology +3.1%. Materials +0.1%. Energy +3.2%. Consumer Discretionary -0.3%. Real Estate -1.4%.

World Indices
London -2.7% to 10,379. France -3.2% to 8,158. Germany -2.3% to 24,129. Japan +2.1% to 59,716. China +0.7% to 4,080. Hong Kong -0.7% to 25,978. India -2.3% to 76,681.

Commodities and Bonds
Crude Oil WTI +12.6% to $94.4/bbl. Gold -2.8% to $4,740.9/oz. Natural Gas -5.7% to 2.523. Ten-Year Bond Yield -0.2 bps to 4.31.

Forex and Cryptos
EUR/USD -0.36%. USD/JPY +0.47%. GBP/USD +0.12%. Bitcoin +2.6%. Litecoin +1.8%. Ethereum -1.4%. XRP +0.3%.

Top S&P 500 Gainers
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) +25%. United Rentals (URI) +22%. Texas Instruments (TXN) +21%. Intel (INTC) +21%. ON Semiconductor (ON) +19%.

Top S&P 500 Losers
Charter Communications (CHTR) -24%. Tractor Supply (TSCO) -18%. lululemon athletica (LULU) -14%. Northrop Grumman (NOC) -14%. Lockheed Martin (LMT) -13%.

Where will the markets be headed next week? Current trends and ideas? Add your thoughts to the comments section.

AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla Inc. has reclaimed the title of the world’s top seller of pure battery-electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, delivering 358,023 units and edging out Chinese rival BYD Co., which posted 310,389 battery-electric sales amid a sharp domestic slowdown.

The modest 6.5% year-over-year increase for Tesla marked a rebound after ceding the crown to BYD throughout 2025, when the Chinese automaker delivered more than 2.26 million battery-electric vehicles compared to Tesla’s 1.64 million. Yet the quarterly swing underscores a fiercely competitive global EV landscape where volume, technology, policy and geography will determine the ultimate winner.

Tesla’s Q1 performance, announced April 2, came despite producing 408,386 vehicles and building inventory, missing Wall Street expectations slightly and sending shares lower initially. Strong output from its Shanghai Gigafactory, which accounted for nearly 60% of deliveries, helped fuel the gain, particularly as China-made Model 3 and Model Y sales climbed in the world’s largest EV market.

BYD, meanwhile, saw its pure EV sales plunge 25.5% in the quarter. The Shenzhen-based company sold nearly 696,000 new energy vehicles overall when including plug-in hybrids — still nearly double Tesla’s volume — but faced headwinds from policy changes in China, including subsidy adjustments and new taxes that dampened demand. BYD’s total vehicle sales dropped about 30% year-over-year in March, marking the seventh consecutive monthly decline.

The duel between Elon Musk’s Tesla and BYD founder Wang Chuanfu’s empire represents more than a sales race. It pits Silicon Valley software innovation and autonomy ambitions against China’s manufacturing scale, vertical integration and aggressive pricing. Both companies dominate global EV conversations, but their paths to victory diverge sharply.

Tesla bets on premium branding, over-the-air updates, Full Self-Driving technology and future robotaxi revenue. Production of the Cybercab, Tesla’s purpose-built autonomous vehicle, has begun at Giga Texas, with volume ramp targeted soon. Musk has reiterated plans for unsupervised FSD rollout later in 2026, potentially unlocking massive network effects through a ride-hailing fleet. Energy storage deployments also surged, providing a buffer beyond vehicles.

BYD counters with breadth. It offers dozens of affordable models across sedans, SUVs and even commercial vehicles, leveraging its own blade batteries for cost and safety advantages. The company aims for 1.5 million overseas sales in 2026, expanding factories in Europe, Brazil and elsewhere to dodge tariffs. In Latin America, BYD has secured major orders and local production deals, capturing significant market share in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico despite rising protectionism.

Europe remains a key battleground. BYD is applying to join the European auto lobby while building capacity in Hungary and eyeing other sites to mitigate EU tariffs on Chinese EVs. In markets like Australia, BYD outsold Tesla in Q1. Yet Tesla maintains dominance in the United States, where BYD has no direct presence due to tariffs and market dynamics.

Analysts note the 2025-2026 shift reflects more than corporate prowess. China’s policy tweaks hurt BYD’s domestic pure EV numbers while benefiting Tesla’s export-heavy Shanghai output. Broader EV demand growth continues globally, but slowing in some segments as consumers weigh hybrids for range anxiety.

“Tesla’s lead in Q1 is notable but seasonal and policy-influenced,” said one industry observer. “BYD’s total new energy volume and export momentum position it strongly for the long haul.”

Financially, contrasts abound. Tesla’s margins benefit from software and energy, though vehicle gross profits face pressure. BYD reported record 2025 revenue exceeding Tesla’s but saw profits dip amid intense Chinese competition and price wars. Both invest heavily in R&D — Tesla in AI and robotics, BYD in battery tech and supply chain control.

The “global war” extends to supply chains, talent and regulation. Tariffs in the U.S., EU and Mexico complicate BYD’s exports, pushing localization. Tesla navigates union issues, regulatory hurdles for autonomy and competition from legacy automakers accelerating their EV shifts.

Longer term, many predict coexistence rather than outright victory. Tesla could lead in high-margin autonomy and premium segments, while BYD captures mass-market volume, especially in emerging economies. Global EV sales continue rising, with China, Europe and the U.S. setting ambitious targets, but hybrids gaining favor as a bridge.

Musk has acknowledged BYD’s competitiveness in recent years, moving past earlier dismissal. Wang has urged Chinese brands to “demolish old legends” on the global stage.

As 2026 unfolds, Tesla eyes Cybercab production scale and FSD breakthroughs. BYD pushes overseas factories and new models with advanced fast-charging. Sunday’s slight risk for more storms? No — this battle faces economic headwinds, interest rates, consumer sentiment and geopolitical tensions.

Neither side shows signs of slowing. Tesla’s Q1 rebound injects optimism for investors betting on tech differentiation. BYD’s scale and cost discipline reassure those favoring accessible electrification.

The winner may not be declared for years. In a world racing toward net-zero transport, both accelerate progress — Tesla through aspiration and software, BYD through execution and accessibility. For consumers, the real victory is choice and innovation at every price point.

Industry watchers will scrutinize Q2 figures closely. Tesla typically sees seasonal strength later in the year. BYD expects export growth to offset domestic softness. Additional rounds of tariffs or incentives could tilt the field again.

For now, Tesla wears the quarterly crown, but BYD retains the 2025 title and manufacturing muscle. The global EV war rages on, with no clear surrender in sight.

A U.S. judge on Friday dismissed Elon Musk‘s fraud claims in his lawsuit accusing OpenAI and co-founder Sam Altman of betraying OpenAI’s original mission, but plans ‌to proceed ⁠to ⁠trial on Musk’s breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment claims.

The ruling was issued by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, and opening arguments are ⁠expected on ‌Tuesday.

Musk had said dismissing his fraud and constructive fraud claims, which he ⁠proposed, would streamline the case and keep jurors focused on his goal of ensuring that OpenAI benefit humanity rather than be a “wealth machine.”

The case centers on Musk’s claim that OpenAI, Altman and Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s largest investors, ‌conned him and the public by forming a for-profit entity in 2019, after he left OpenAI’s ⁠board.

OpenAI is preparing for a potential initial public offering that could value it at $1 trillion, Reuters has reported.
Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages, according to a person involved in the case, with proceeds going to OpenAI’s charitable arm.

NEW YORK — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have dramatically shifted their wedding plans to Manhattan, with save-the-dates reportedly circulating for a July 3 ceremony in New York City that promises to be one of the most anticipated celebrity events of 2026.

The couple, engaged since August 2025, had fueled months of speculation about a Rhode Island celebration near Swift’s waterfront estate in Watch Hill on June 13 — her lucky number and a Saturday. Those rumors were firmly shut down earlier this month when a prominent wedding planner confirmed she was handling another event at the Ocean House resort that day.

Page Six first broke the news of the pivot, citing a source familiar with the plans. Save-the-dates have gone out, locking in the Friday before Independence Day in the city Swift has long called home. The date aligns perfectly with Swift’s well-known love for Fourth of July celebrations, which have historically drawn A-list crowds to her properties.

Insiders describe the move to Manhattan as a practical and symbolic choice. Swift maintains a significant presence in Tribeca, where she owns adjacent penthouses, and the couple frequently splits time between New York and Kansas City. A larger venue in the city can accommodate an expanded guest list that earlier Rhode Island plans might have constrained.

Speculation swirls around potential locations, including iconic Manhattan spots like the Plaza Hotel, the Frick Collection or even more private estates outside the city but still in the metro area. No official venue has been confirmed, and representatives for both Swift and Kelce have remained silent on the details.

The reported shift reflects evolving priorities. Earlier concepts centered on an intimate gathering of about 150 guests split between Swift’s Rhode Island mansion and a nearby resort. The Manhattan option allows for a grander scale while maintaining the privacy the couple has fiercely guarded throughout their relationship.

Security is expected to be unprecedented. With Swift’s global fame and Kelce’s NFL stardom, the event will likely involve layers of NDAs, restricted phone policies and heavy protection for guests. Reports suggest each save-the-date includes personalized elements to trace any leaks.

The timing also dovetails with Kelce’s NFL schedule. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has committed to a 14th season, with training camp looming in late July. A July 3 wedding leaves breathing room before football obligations intensify.

Friends and family are buzzing. Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid are frequently mentioned as potential bridal party members, while Kelce’s brother Jason is the presumed best man. Guest list drama has already surfaced, including questions about Blake Lively’s status amid reported tensions.

Swift’s inner circle has urged fans and media to respect boundaries. Travis’ sister-in-law Kylie Kelce recently pushed back against constant wedding inquiries, emphasizing that details will remain closely held until the couple chooses to share them.

The couple’s relationship continues to captivate the public. Since going public in 2023, Swift and Kelce have blended pop music and football in unprecedented ways. Her appearances at Chiefs games became cultural events, while Kelce has embraced life in the spotlight with humor and support for Swift’s career.

Professionally, Swift remains at the peak of her powers. Her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl earned critical and commercial success, though she has signaled a deliberate pause on touring to focus on personal milestones. No new album or tour has been announced for 2026, giving her space to savor this chapter.

Kelce, fresh off another strong season, has spoken openly about balancing football with his personal life. Insiders say the couple is “nesting” and preparing for what could be the next phase, including thoughts of family.

New York City itself holds deep meaning for Swift. She has described the city as a place of reinvention and creativity throughout her career. Hosting her wedding here would weave another thread into her long relationship with Manhattan, from early days as a rising star to her status as one of its most famous residents.

Fan reaction has been electric. Swifties have flooded social media with theories about venues, outfits and possible musical surprises. Some speculate Swift might incorporate New York-inspired elements into the ceremony or release subtle hints through her music catalog.

The July 3 date carries extra resonance as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary celebrations. Fireworks, tall ships and patriotic events will fill the city that weekend, potentially providing a spectacular backdrop — or additional security challenges — for the nuptials.

Industry observers view the wedding as more than a personal milestone. It represents the union of two massive entertainment and sports brands. Coverage is expected to dominate tabloids, social platforms and even mainstream news, much like royal weddings of the past.

Yet those closest to the couple stress the desire for authenticity. Despite the glare, Swift and Kelce have maintained a relatively grounded romance filled with private dinners, family gatherings and mutual support. The Manhattan shift may reflect a desire to celebrate in a place that feels like home rather than a remote destination.

As summer approaches, anticipation builds. Whether the ceremony unfolds at a historic hotel, museum or private residence, one thing seems certain: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding will be a defining cultural moment of 2026, blending romance, celebrity and New York City glamour.

For now, the couple continues living their lives with characteristic discretion. Recent sightings in Manhattan, including date nights at favorite spots like Casa Cipriani, only add fuel to the fire without confirming details.

The world will keep watching, but Swift and Kelce appear determined to write this love story on their own terms — even if that means trading beachside vows for Manhattan magic.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.