Finance

Energy prices surged as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz intensified, with Brent crude rising past the $105 per barrel mark. Heightened military threats and stalled peace negotiations between the US and Iran have reignited investor fears regarding long-term global inflation and energy supply disruptions.

The cryptocurrency market showed mixed performance as Bitcoin hovered near the $78,000 threshold, supported by resilient institutional interest and its status as a relative safe haven. Conversely, Ethereum experienced profit-taking that brought its price back toward the $2,300 range after a period of strong gains.

The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note remained steady near 4.3% as investors assessed domestic economic data and evolving geopolitical risks. While the Federal Reserve has maintained interest rates between 3.50% and 3.75%, the flattening yield curve reflects growing caution about future growth and inflationary pressure from high oil prices.

Defying the broader technology sector's weakness, semiconductor stocks maintained a multi-day winning streak driven by relentless demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. AMD shares surged past $300 following analyst upgrades, while Intel saw gains in after-hours trading after releasing a strong financial outlook.

The US Dollar is on track for its first weekly gain in nearly a month as uncertainty regarding the conflict in Iran dampens hopes for an immediate easing of tensions. Investors have increasingly favored the dollar and short-term Treasuries as protective assets while waiting for further clarity on international trade and military developments.