Finance

The U.S. markets exhibited a split performance recently, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining points while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 faced downward pressure. Heavyweight tech names like Microsoft and Oracle saw significant declines, dragging down the broader indexes despite gains in non-tech sectors like industrials and utilities.

Digital assets have experienced a widespread decline, with Bitcoin dropping below the $61,000 mark and Ethereum falling to roughly $1,615. Analysts point to a strengthening U.S. dollar and a rotation out of high-risk assets as primary drivers for the current downward trajectory in major cryptocurrencies.

Global oil benchmarks have fallen significantly, with Brent crude dropping near $73 a barrel, its lowest level since before the regional conflict began in February. This decline in energy costs is providing some relief for inflation concerns, even as natural gas futures rose slightly due to increased summer cooling demand.