Finance

The PHLX Semiconductor Index officially entered a bear market during Friday's session as an industry-wide sell-off intensified. Investor anxiety deepened following the release of an advanced artificial intelligence system by Chinese startup Moonshot AI, which claims to rival leading American models. Analysts note that the development has amplified broader concerns regarding overextended valuations and heavy corporate capital expenditure in the AI sector.

Crude oil prices rose sharply following an escalation in the ongoing military conflict between the United States and Iran. Disruptions near the strategic Strait of Hormuz have choked global energy shipping lanes, driving Brent crude up by more than 4% and reigniting market concerns over sticky inflation. The intensifying risk-off sentiment across Wall Street has simultaneously boosted gold prices and driven up the 10-Year Treasury yield.

Digital assets pulled back on Friday as macroeconomic headwinds and Middle Eastern instability kept investors on the defensive. Bitcoin slipped beneath the $63,000 threshold, while Ethereum dropped roughly 2.8% to trade around $1,832. The broader digital asset correction coincided with a major $1.43 billion options expiration, reflecting cautious, range-bound positioning among crypto traders.