Finance

Energy markets saw volatile fluctuations as crude prices experienced opposing forces from political and weather events. Although immediate geopolitical premiums temporarily softened following assurances that military strikes on Iran would be avoided prior to the upcoming midterm elections, Brent crude remained elevated above $104 a barrel due to severe production disruptions caused by Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. government bond yields experienced a slight pullback late in the week but remained near critical long-term milestones. The 10-year Treasury yield fluctuated just below 5.25% after touching its highest level in 24 years earlier in the week, reflecting persistent underlying market expectations for a restrictive Federal Reserve monetary policy stance.

Digital assets faced persistent headwinds as tighter financial conditions and high macroeconomic yields restricted broader upside momentum. Despite modest short-term stabilization that held Bitcoin around the $82,300 to $83,000 threshold, the asset remains roughly 30% below its historical peak from last year amidst a noticeable slowdown in spot ETF inflows and heightened sensitivities to upcoming interest rate decisions.