Finance

Global energy markets experienced sharp volatility following a new tanker attack in the Persian Gulf, raising supply disruption anxieties through critical trade bottlenecks like the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, benchmark Brent crude futures spiked over 4% to finish above $104 a barrel, although values settled below intraday peaks following comments regarding potential military actions.

Long-term bond yields saw drastic intraday swings, initially climbing on hawkish notes from Federal Reserve officials and surging oil prices before reversing lower. Strong investor demand during the U.S. government's multibillion-dollar auctions for 10-year and 30-year bonds ultimately provided relief, compressing the benchmark 10-year yield toward 5.23%.

The broader U.S. equity markets ended a choppy trading session with mixed results as massive tech losses overshadowed wider market gains. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices fell for a second straight day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to eke out a modest positive finish amid the stabilization of Treasury rates.