Finance

Brent crude prices rose to approximately $108 per barrel following the collapse of planned peace talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts have raised price forecasts for the remainder of 2026, citing record-paced global inventory draws and the continued closure of strategic waterways which are tightening global supply.

U.S. Treasury yields moved higher on Monday, with the benchmark 10-year note trading around 4.32% as investors reacted to rising energy costs. Shorter-term yields also saw upward pressure as markets anticipate the Federal Reserve will maintain a restrictive policy stance to combat sticky core inflation at its upcoming meeting.

Investors are bracing for a pivotal week as five of the 'Magnificent Seven' tech giants are scheduled to report quarterly results. While aggregate earnings growth for these leaders is projected at over 20%, market analysis suggests Nvidia remains the primary driver of this outperformance, raising the stakes for individual company guidance.

Bitcoin climbed to a 12-week high of approximately $79,488 on Monday, fueled by sustained institutional inflows and the start of the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas. Despite the price surge, some technical analysts warn of a potential 'buy the rumor, sell the news' event as trading volume remains below historical averages.

Final April data for the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index reached its weakest reading on record, reflecting the severe impact of energy price shocks on household morale. Inflation expectations for the year ahead have jumped to 4.7% as consumers increasingly shift spending toward essentials and services over discretionary goods.