Finance

Oil prices continued their upward trajectory on March 30, 2026, with Brent crude futures surging toward $120 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing above $102. This spike is attributed to a near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the entry of Yemen's Houthi militants into the Iran conflict. The resulting supply shock has led to the largest monthly gain for crude since 1990, significantly impacting US gasoline prices and inflation expectations.

Benchmark US Treasury yields eased on Monday, with the 10-year note falling to approximately 4.37% after reaching an eight-month high of 4.48% last week. The decline reflects a shift in investor focus toward the potential economic slowdown caused by high energy costs and upcoming labor market data. Markets have significantly lowered the probability of further Federal Reserve rate hikes in 2026, as the ongoing war in the Middle East complicates the central bank's policy path.

Bitcoin traded near $67,800 on the morning of March 30, 2026, marking a daily gain of over $1,000 even as it remains down roughly 4% for the month. The cryptocurrency market is navigating a complex environment of improved US regulatory clarity, including recent SEC approvals for nearly 100 crypto ETFs, balanced against broader macroeconomic pressures. Investors are currently weighing institutional adoption against the risks of a prolonged Middle East conflict, which typically prompts a shift away from volatile digital assets.

The net worth of prominent tech billionaires, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, has declined by tens of billions of dollars this year due to a widespread slump in technology stocks. Beyond geopolitical tensions, the sector is facing increased skepticism regarding artificial intelligence valuations and the capital-intensive nature of AI infrastructure. Despite these headwinds, major players like Microsoft continue to push new integrated AI features to drive adoption and justify massive hardware expenditures.