Finance

While broader markets tumbled, energy shares gained ground as global benchmark Brent crude climbed past $110 a barrel due to supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz. Investors are increasingly concerned that prolonged regional instability will keep energy prices elevated, contributing to persistent global inflation.

High-profile technology stocks, including Nvidia and Amazon, led Friday's market decline as investors began demanding more concrete proof of AI profitability. Despite a general slump in the sector, some analysts remain optimistic about long-term demand for high-bandwidth memory chips and specialized semiconductor foundry services.

Economic forecasts suggest a modest rebound in payroll growth for March, though underlying trends show a lack of new job creation outside the healthcare sector. High labor costs and geopolitical uncertainty continue to weigh on hiring in the trade and transport sectors, keeping the unemployment rate steady at approximately 4.4%.

Bitcoin and Ethereum saw notable price drops this week, with Ether falling below the $2,000 threshold following a significant quarterly options expiry. The downturn reflects broader cautious sentiment across risk assets as investors navigate a combination of high Treasury yields and shifting institutional capital flows.