Finance

Brent crude futures settled above $100 a barrel as tensions in the Middle East persist, particularly regarding commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. While a temporary truce has eased immediate conflict fears, the ongoing naval restrictions have kept a high risk premium on global oil prices and petroleum products.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to approximately 4.31%, reaching a one-week high as investors weigh the impact of elevated energy costs on future inflation. Market participants are closely monitoring these yields as sticky inflation data may force the Federal Reserve to maintain higher interest rates for a longer duration than previously anticipated.

Despite the broader market rally, some high-profile tech stocks faced downward pressure in extended trading. Tesla shares fluctuated after the company signaled a significant increase in capital expenditures, while both IBM and ServiceNow saw sharp declines following disappointing quarterly results.

Bitcoin recently traded above the $78,000 mark, supported by strong ETF inflows and a generally positive sentiment in equity markets. However, the broader digital asset sector is grappling with significant security challenges, as April 2026 has become one of the worst months on record for protocol hacks with over $600 million lost.

U.S. consumer sentiment dropped by more than 11% in early April, reaching a 76-year low as the conflict in Iran reignited inflation fears. This sharp decline reflects growing anxiety over energy costs and high inflation expectations, which have risen to 4.8% for the year ahead.