Finance

Crude oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel as supply concerns intensify due to conflict-related disruptions in the Middle East. This price shock is heightening inflation worries and leading analysts at Goldman Sachs to project a potential rise in the national unemployment rate to 4.6% by the third quarter of 2026.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note eased to approximately 4.34% after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that long-term inflation expectations remain well-anchored. These comments have led market participants to scale back bets on further interest rate hikes, with many now pricing in a prolonged hold by the central bank.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq has faced significant selling pressure, led by sharp declines in semiconductor and memory chip names like Micron and SanDisk. In addition to high energy costs, the industry is grappling with supply chain constraints for essential materials like helium, which is critical for semiconductor manufacturing.

Bitcoin has maintained a range between $68,000 and $72,000, demonstrating relative stability even as traditional equity markets struggle. While some investors have trimmed volatile assets due to recession fears, institutional interest remains high, with some bitcoin-backed holdings reaching new peaks in early 2026.