Finance

The Nasdaq Composite outperformed other major benchmarks with a 1.2% daily gain, logging its third consecutive positive week and hitting new highs. Rate-sensitive growth sectors, heavily underpinned by persistent artificial intelligence optimism, spearheaded the charge. This upward momentum contrasted sharply with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, both of which registered overall losses for the week despite Friday's late rebound.

Energy prices fell sharply on Friday, with West Texas Intermediate futures tumbling 1.90% to settle around $91.11 per barrel. The downward pressure followed a combined announcement from the G7 nations and the International Energy Agency to inject 100 million barrels of crude and diesel into the market from strategic reserves over the next four months. The supply expansion successfully mitigated earlier price spikes driven by an escalation of military tension in the Middle East.

Cryptocurrencies remain stuck in a prolonged cyclical downturn, with Bitcoin having shed a substantial portion of its market valuation since its historical peaks. Despite occasional technical bounces and spot demand from core institutional allocators, retail interest has noticeably rotated toward fast-moving AI equities. Meanwhile, regulatory pressures continue to mount as community banks initiate legal action against regulators over the granting of bank charters to digital asset firms.