Finance

The 10-year Treasury yield briefly scaled past 5.22%, hovering around its highest levels since 2007, before tempering slightly by the week's end. Ongoing anxieties surrounding stubborn inflation, robust consumer sentiment, and massive government debt continue to drive global bond market volatility. However, rates paused their aggressive climb following reports that U.S. and Iranian negotiators are holding discussions regarding a phased deal to restore transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Global energy markets experienced a notable pullback, with West Texas Intermediate falling toward $92 per barrel and Brent crude slipping below $98. The sell-off followed sharp mid-week increases fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The subsequent retreat was heavily triggered by reports of progress in diplomatic discussions to reopen vital energy transportation routes.

Cryptocurrency markets demonstrated resilience as Bitcoin maintained positions above $84,000, logging significant weekly gains alongside Ethereum. Market participants navigated heightened derivatives activity, including the expiration of approximately $16.6 billion in combined options contracts. Despite some profit-taking across digital assets, institutional sentiment remains buoyed by persistent inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.