Energy tension continues to influence price behavior across currencies, commodities, and bond markets.

Financial markets closed the week under pressure as rising energy costs, firm interest rate expectations, and ongoing developments in the Middle East reshaped the outlook for inflation and growth.

Financial markets began the week under the influence of escalating tensions in the Middle East and persistently high energy prices, factors that have strengthened the US dollar and pushed global bond yields higher. 

Escalating Middle East tensions and rising energy costs dominated global markets.

Rising tensions in the Middle East pushed investors toward safer assets.

Trade tensions returned to center stage, setting off a chain reaction across currencies, metals, and bond markets.

Cooling US inflation reshaped rate expectations, pressured the dollar and lifted metals.

The dollar slipped below 97.5, gold reclaimed the $5,000 level, and bond yields adjusted to shifting policy expectations.