US Stocks and Crypto End April Higher as Bitcoin Holds $76,000 and S&P 500 Hits Record

Risk assets rallied in April as strong earnings from major US companies and enthusiasm over AI investment lifted sentiment, pushing the S&P 500 to a record high. Bitcoin also remained firm as capital flowed back into the market. Meta's increased AI capital-spending guidance prompted investors to reassess the cost of Big Tech's expansion and its earnings outlook.

On April 30, the month's final trading day, major US stock indexes were mixed. The S&P 500 surpassed 7,200 for the first time and gained 10.4% for the month. Bitcoin held near $76,000, up about 13% in April, while markets absorbed Meta's latest earnings and share-price volatility sparked by its higher AI capital-spending guidance.