Finance

Markets faced mid-week volatility after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh signaled that two additional 25-basis-point interest rate hikes could occur before the end of 2026. This hawkish shift, aimed at combating persistent inflation, triggered a sharp jump in the 2-year Treasury yield, which saw its largest single-day advance on a Fed meeting day since 2008.

Global oil benchmarks Brent and WTI saw a significant decline this week after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire. The agreement, which includes plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, eased supply concerns and provided a supportive backdrop for broader equity markets despite the geopolitical tension.

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices struggled on Friday, June 19, continuing a downward trend sparked by the Federal Reserve's refusal to rule out further rate increases. Bitcoin fell toward the $62,500 level as a strengthening U.S. dollar and the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates reduced the appeal of non-yielding digital assets.