Finance

Oil prices experienced a decline as investors reacted to new negotiation proposals from Iran intended to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite this relief, domestic energy costs remain elevated, with some regional fuel prices reaching multi-year highs due to the continued naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Markets remain sensitive to the progress of the U.S.-led 'Project Freedom' initiative aimed at freeing stranded cargo ships.

The price of Bitcoin is nearing the critical $80,000 threshold, marking a notable departure from its historical trend of price declines during the month of May. While the Crypto Fear and Greed Index reflects a state of investor apprehension, digital assets have shown resilience through significant institutional support and a strengthening correlation with tech-heavy equity indices. Recent rapid price increases led to over $100 million in liquidations across the network within a single hour.

U.S. Treasury yields remained relatively flat after recent manufacturing data indicated an expansion that was slightly below economist expectations. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 4.38%, while the 2-year yield, which closely reflects Federal Reserve policy expectations, stayed near 3.89%. Market participants are now pricing in a low probability of interest rate cuts for the remainder of 2026 as the Fed maintains a guarded stance against persistent inflation.