Finance

Revised figures for the first quarter of 2026 showed GDP growth at an annualized rate of 2.1%, up from earlier estimates, while consumer spending appeared to weaken. New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has emphasized a commitment to price stability as the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index rose to 4.1%, keeping potential interest rate hikes on the table for later this year.

Oil prices have fallen to pre-conflict levels, with Brent crude dropping below $80 per barrel as supply concerns related to the Middle East begin to dissipate. This decline in energy costs has contributed to a reduction in U.S. Treasury yields, providing some relief to sectors sensitive to borrowing costs, such as industrials.

Bitcoin and Ethereum reached multi-year lows this week, with Bitcoin dipping below the $60,000 threshold amid heavy net outflows from spot ETFs. Analysts attribute the downturn to a combination of hawkish Federal Reserve signals and capital rotating away from digital assets toward high-performing equity sectors like artificial intelligence.