Finance

U.S. Treasury yields retreated from recent highs as crude oil prices began to pull back, easing immediate concerns regarding energy-driven inflation. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to approximately 4.35%, down from a nine-month peak reached earlier in the week as markets reacted to a more stable outlook for commodity costs.

Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows the U.S. economy expanded at a 2.0% annual pace, rebounding from a sluggish 0.5% growth rate at the end of 2025. While business investment in artificial intelligence remains a primary driver of growth, consumer spending has shown signs of deceleration, slowing to a 1.6% increase during the same period.

Bitcoin prices climbed above $77,000 as digital assets mirrored the positive momentum seen in major equity benchmarks. Despite the recovery, the crypto market remains sensitive to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a hawkish shift within the Federal Reserve, where some officials have pushed back against expectations for near-term interest rate cuts.