Finance

Semiconductor stocks reached record highs as a new manufacturing collaboration between Intel and Apple drove a double-digit percentage gain for Intel shares. Other industry leaders like Nvidia and Micron also contributed significantly to the tech sector's outperformance, which saw a 4.4% weekly gain. However, some segments faced disruption, with Accenture seeing sharp declines following a weak outlook attributed to AI-related shifts in the consulting business.

Crude oil futures plummeted as much as 13% for the week following reports of a framework agreement to end the conflict with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Despite higher production forecasts for 2026 and 2027 from the EIA, US drillers remain cautious about increasing rig counts while geopolitical risks persist. The sharp decline in energy prices has provided some relief to long-term bond yields by easing immediate inflation concerns.

Bitcoin and Ethereum traded sideways in a choppy environment, struggling to maintain momentum near the $60,000 support level. Market participants are increasingly cautious as high-interest-rate expectations reduce risk appetite, leading to a record 44-day streak of negative premiums for Bitcoin on major exchanges. Sentiment indicators currently reflect extreme fear among investors, with capital flows showing a preference for stable assets like the US dollar.