Finance

The PHLX Semiconductor Index recorded its 18th consecutive day of gains, marking the longest winning streak in its history with a total climb of 47% during this period. Major contributors included Intel, which saw its best performance since the dot-com era, and AMD, which surpassed a $500 billion market valuation for the first time.

Treasury yields trended higher as investors adjusted to the likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates through the first half of 2026. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.31%, while the 30-year yield reached 4.92%, reflecting a cautious growth outlook and sticky inflation pressures.

The cryptocurrency market showed steady momentum, with Bitcoin trading near $78,000 supported by improved sentiment in broader equity markets and strong ETF inflows. While the price remains significantly below its level from a year ago, recent whale activity and whale transactions have bolstered hopes for a continued bullish trend.

Crude oil prices showed slight daily gains, with Brent crude trading around $106 per barrel, yet remained below recent highs as investors monitored potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. Although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East previously pushed prices above $110, recent optimism for a long-term truce has helped stabilize the energy complex.

Large U.S. financial institutions entered 1Q2026 with solid revenue growth, driven by resilient net interest income and strong investment banking demand. Despite mixed results from some regional lenders, median revenue for the top 20 banks grew by nearly 11% year-over-year, supported by healthy profitability and stable credit quality.