Finance

Financial markets are closely monitoring military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, which briefly pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. While President Trump asserted that a ceasefire remains intact, the geopolitical uncertainty weighed on stocks earlier in the week and continues to influence energy volatility.

The cryptocurrency market shifted into a fear-dominated phase, with Bitcoin dropping below the $80,000 threshold as investors rotated into traditional safe-havens like gold. High leverage and geopolitical stress have led to significant liquidations in crypto futures, contrasting with the record-setting performance of newer AI-focused memory ETFs.

First-quarter results remain a key market driver, with technology and communication services reporting the strongest growth rates at over 50%. While major players like Alphabet and Amazon exceeded expectations, consumer-focused companies like Shake Shack and Planet Fitness faced record selloffs following disappointing guidance.