SCHW

Charles Schwab is reportedly planning to enter the prediction markets space, offering yes-or-no contracts on whether the S&P 500 closes above or below a specified price level, according to the Wall Street Journal. The product would mark Schwab's first foray into event-contract trading for retail clients. No launch date or regulatory details were disclosed in the report.

Charles Schwab is reportedly planning to enter the prediction markets space by offering S&P 500 event-based options, according to the Wall Street Journal. The move would put Schwab in competition with existing prediction market platforms. No launch date or further product details were disclosed in the report.

SpaceX is planning an IPO that will make shares available to retail investors through platforms including Fidelity, Robinhood, and Charles Schwab. This marks a notable expansion of IPO access beyond traditional institutional channels. Key details such as pricing, timing, and share allocation for retail participants have not been specified in the article.

Charles Schwab has begun a U.S. rollout of spot cryptocurrency trading for retail customers, marking a significant expansion of its product offerings into direct crypto markets. The move positions Schwab as a direct competitor to established crypto exchanges and traditional brokerages already offering spot crypto. No financial terms or partnership details were disclosed in the announcement.

Morgan Stanley is launching a crypto trading pilot through its E*Trade platform, charging 50 basis points per trade. This fee is positioned below standard retail crypto pricing at Coinbase, Robinhood, and Charles Schwab, making it a direct competitive move in the retail crypto brokerage space. The pilot represents Morgan Stanley's entry into direct retail crypto trading execution.

Major U.S. indices hit new record highs on April 16, 2026, with the S&P 500 up 0.26%, Nasdaq up 0.36%, and the Dow up 0.24%, supported by strong earnings, falling jobless claims, and optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran conflict resolution. Volatility remains a factor due to ongoing energy disruptions and restricted Strait of Hormuz traffic. The article references several individual stocks — SCHW, HOOD, MSFT, AKAM, NFLX, and PEP — in the context of the broader market day.

U.S. equities hit all-time highs Thursday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% to 7,038.57 and the Nasdaq 100 gaining 0.6% for its 12th consecutive session of gains, driven by a Trump-brokered 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. WTI crude surged 2.5% to $93.58 after Iran passed legislation to impose tolls on Hormuz Strait traffic. Healthcare stocks underperformed following weak guidance from Abbott Laboratories, while energy and technology sectors led the broader advance.