Finance

Crude oil benchmarks experienced upward momentum due to lingering supply risks and regional tensions. Brent crude futures moved back above the $100 per barrel mark, driven largely by persistent Houthi rebel attacks targeting shipping channels in the Middle East. The rise in energy costs has injected renewed inflation anxieties into broader financial markets ahead of incoming economic updates.

Energy infrastructure and utility stocks recorded massive single-day gains following major corporate and federal commitments to nuclear power. Constellation Energy surged over 12% after securing a 20-year, $4.3 billion electricity purchase agreement with Alphabet. Concurrently, Vistra Corp climbed more than 10% on news of a multi-billion dollar funding allocation from the U.S. Department of Energy to upgrade its facilities.

The cryptocurrency market remained bound to a narrow trading band as Bitcoin fluctuated in the mid-$80,000 range. Despite a historically strong seasonal start to the month, the premier digital asset faced heavy technical friction as bulls attempted to push through the 2026 yearly open resistance at $87,570. Macro headwinds, including elevated oil prices and shifting expectations for Federal Reserve interest rates, continue to cap immediate upside.