Finance

Global energy benchmarks experienced a welcome relief as Brent futures dropped below $100 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate slid toward $92. The drop followed reports that U.S. and Iranian negotiators are actively discussing a phased agreement to secure transit through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The cooldown in energy costs directly alleviated broader market anxieties regarding persistent inflation and severe supply disruptions.

A historic rout in the bond market paused on Friday as the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield settled back down to around 5.18% after flirting with higher intraday levels. Investors found solace in measured commentary from Federal Reserve officials indicating that interest rate paths remain data-dependent. Despite the late-week breather, fixed-income yields closed near 19-year highs, signaling continued macroeconomic tightening.

Digital assets successfully entered positive territory as fading crude prices and short-selling liquidations provided much-needed tailwinds. Bitcoin rebounded sharply, trading above $84,000 after previously conquering the $85,000 milestone for the first time since January. Major alternative coins like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP closely followed the upward trajectory, securing single-day gains exceeding 5%.