Finance

Energy prices experienced notable volatility as the ongoing military conflict with Iran fueled concerns over the security of shipments through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. International Brent crude futures advanced past the $100 per barrel mark, pushing higher alongside West Texas Intermediate crude. Although prices briefly paired gains on reports that negotiators in New York are exploring a phased agreement to reopen the strategic waterway, persistent energy-driven inflation fears continue to pressure broader global markets.

Major U.S. equity indexes fluctuated erratically, struggling to find direction after a tumultuous week of trading. While optimistic business activity reports highlighted a resilient domestic economy, they ultimately backfired by raising capital costs and driving equity liquidations across most major sectors. Technology and AI-related shares, which heavily carried market performance to records earlier in the week, gave back several gains under the strain of soaring borrowing costs.

Bitcoin fell back to the $84,000 range following a leveraged pullback that triggered hundreds of millions in futures liquidations. This correction occurred shortly after U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs registered record-setting net inflows of nearly $1.7 billion over a two-day stretch. Meanwhile, digital asset investors are closely monitoring industry infrastructure and long-term liquidity trends as the market remains resilient despite the recent legislative failure of the regulatory CLARITY Act in the Senate.