Finance

A significant bond selloff pushed key U.S. Treasury yields higher, placing noticeable pressure on equity valuations. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed back to the 5.00% milestone, a benchmark level not sustained since 2023. Concurrently, the policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury yield advanced to 4.741%, marking its highest level since July 2024 as market participants price in a high probability of another rate hike before the year concludes.

Global energy markets continue to navigate severe geopolitical supply strains stemming from the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Brent crude surged past $110 per barrel earlier in the week following attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West Crude Oil Pipeline and critical shipping straits. Although prices eased slightly toward $103 per barrel by Friday, severe disruptions to global trade infrastructure keep a high risk premium embedded in energy assets.

Digital assets staged a notable recovery as investors successfully moved past both a recent Federal Reserve interest rate increase and domestic legislative hurdles. Bitcoin broke back above the $80,000 threshold, demonstrating robust underlying demand despite a temporary dip below $77,000 earlier in the month. The positive price movement materialized despite the U.S. Senate's failure to pass the highly anticipated Clarity Act, as industry leaders pointed toward alternative regulatory paths.