Daily risk briefing ·
Market crash risk on 6 May 2026: 71.9% (Nearly Crash)
vs previous day change +7.5 pts vs previous day vs 1 week earlier change +8.1 pts vs 1 week earlier
This briefing was published under methodology v1 (fixed thresholds, trend penalty, regime multiplier). Its numbers are kept as published and are not comparable with v2 readings. See the current methodology.
Summary
The Financial Composite Gauge registered 75.2% (Nearly Crash), the Overall Gauge hit 71.9% (Nearly Crash), and the Geopolitical Layer is 61.9% (Severe).
The main drivers are Iran war peace prospects at 45.0% and Strait of Hormuz transit risk at 80.0%.
Markets face severe geopolitical risk yet remain in a nearly crash financial band, signaling divergence.
Geopolitical drivers
- Strait of Hormuz transit risk80China's urgent call to reopen the Strait of Hormuz emphasizes the ongoing threat to global oil transit and maritime security. Transmission: shipping lanes/chokepoints.
- US energy price inflation76US gasoline prices reaching 50% above pre-war levels are driving broad inflationary pressures and reducing discretionary spending. Transmission: energy supply/prices.
- Iran war peace prospects45Reports of progress in peace talks and a potential end to the Iran war are immediately lowering crude futures. Transmission: energy supply/prices.
Biggest 5-day market moves
- Bitcoin/USD +6077.87
- Gold Spot Price +185.30
- S&P 500 Index +120.42
Chart values use methodology v2 (point-in-time backfill), so they differ from the v1 numbers published above.
Show data table
| Date | Total | Financial | Geopolitical | Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-21 | 43.1 | 39.3 | 64.4 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-20 | 48.0 | 44.8 | 66.0 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-19 | 46.8 | 42.8 | 69.0 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-18 | 47.1 | 42.8 | 71.9 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-15 | 37.3 | 32.0 | 67.2 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-14 | 40.6 | 35.7 | 68.5 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-13 | 41.0 | 35.9 | 70.3 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-12 | 37.2 | 31.8 | 67.5 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-11 | 35.2 | 29.0 | 70.1 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-08 | 38.9 | 33.1 | 71.8 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-07 | 35.6 | 28.9 | 73.7 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-06 | 35.5 | 29.2 | 71.5 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-05 | 39.9 | 33.9 | 74.0 | Cautious |
| 2026-05-04 | 34.3 | 27.1 | 75.5 | Safe |
| 2026-05-01 | 34.0 | 28.1 | 67.7 | Safe |
| 2026-04-30 | 44.0 | 35.0 | 94.8 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-29 | 42.0 | 32.6 | 95.5 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-28 | 34.2 | 28.8 | 65.1 | Safe |
| 2026-04-27 | 35.9 | 30.3 | 67.5 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-24 | 40.4 | 35.8 | 66.7 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-23 | 37.5 | 31.9 | 69.8 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-22 | 43.9 | 39.0 | 71.7 | Cautious |
| 2026-04-21 | 41.4 | 35.5 | 74.7 | Cautious |
Not financial advice. Use the gauge as a risk thermometer, not a timing oracle.