Finance

Global energy benchmarks fell sharply, with Brent crude tumbling well below its recent peak of over $100 per barrel. The retreat came after Washington and Tehran put further military action on hold, reducing immediate anxieties regarding global fuel distribution and critical shipping corridors like the Strait of Hormuz.

Spot gold climbed past $4,100 an ounce, capitalizing on a retreat in both Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar. The sharp decline in energy prices alleviated some immediate inflationary concerns, though investors remain mindful of how the shifting economic landscape will influence the upcoming Federal Reserve policy decision.

Despite a positive opening across major market averages, technology shares continued to experience heavy pressure, dragging down the Nasdaq Composite. Semiconductor equities reversed initial intraday gains to trade sharply lower, reflecting broader investor anxiety regarding extensive corporate capital expenditures on artificial intelligence initiatives.