Finance

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly reiterated the central bank's commitment to returning inflation to its 2% target, describing current monetary policy as slightly restrictive. Despite recent surges in energy costs, officials noted there is no immediate evidence that long-term inflation expectations are becoming unanchored. The Fed maintains a benchmark rate range of 3.50% to 3.75%, with markets closely monitoring how geopolitical resolutions might influence future rate-cutting cycles.

The cryptocurrency market saw a slight retreat on Thursday, with Bitcoin trading around $81,000 after reaching a three-month high of nearly $82,800 on Wednesday. Analysts suggest that current technical patterns point toward a budding bull market as digital assets show resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions. While leading coins softened, certain altcoins experienced investor rotation, with some assets rising nearly 9% during the same period.

Energy stocks have significantly led market performance in 2026, with oil and gas equipment and services plays seeing gains of over 30% since late last year. In contrast, technology sector returns have been relatively flat as investors shift focus toward conventional energy infrastructure and nuclear development. Despite the day's market slip, energy companies continue to benefit from upward revisions in earnings estimates and increased capital expenditures from utilities.