Finance

Global energy markets saw significant gains as Brent crude surged past $112 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbed toward $100. Despite a temporary pause in some military actions, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to certain vessels has fueled fears of a prolonged supply disruption, with some analysts warning of potential moves toward $200 if the conflict persists.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note hit 4.48% on March 27, reaching its highest level since July 2025. Investors are adjusting to the prospect of sustained inflation driven by rising energy costs, leading many to scale back expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later in 2026.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq underperformed broader markets as the 'Magnificent Seven' megacaps faced downward pressure. In addition to a landmark social media addiction lawsuit impacting Alphabet and Meta, investors are increasingly scrutinizing the actual returns on massive artificial intelligence capital expenditures, leading to a rotation out of former market leaders.

Digital assets faced a sharp downturn at the end of March 2026, with Bitcoin dropping to a two-week low and Ethereum testing psychological support levels near $2,000. The decline triggered over $300 million in long liquidations as retail and institutional investors pulled funds from spot ETFs amid heightened global macroeconomic uncertainty.

A new University of Michigan survey released on Friday showed consumer sentiment falling 6% in March to its lowest point since late 2025. Americans across all demographics reported increased concern regarding the economic fallout of international conflict and the persistent weight of high prices on essential goods and services.