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Brent Crude Tops $92 as Iran-Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens, Oil Stocks Surge

Global oil benchmark Brent crude surged past $92 per barrel on Friday as the widening U.S.-Iran war has effectively halted commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening roughly 20% of global daily oil consumption. Energy stocks are the sole bright spot in an otherwise battered U.S. equity market, with Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Occidental Petroleum posting strong gains as analysts warn of $100-to-$150 oil scenarios.

BlackRock Limits Withdrawals From $26 Billion Private Credit Fund Amid Redemption Surge

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, announced Friday that it has capped redemptions from its flagship HPS Corporate Lending Fund after investor withdrawal requests surged to approximately $1.2 billion in the first quarter — the latest and most prominent casualty in a mounting liquidity crisis gripping the $1.8 trillion private credit industry. Shares of BlackRock fell more than 7% on the news.

Rare Earth Consolidation Accelerates as USA Rare Earth Moves to Acquire Texas Mineral Resources

The rare earth mining sector drew investor attention after USA Rare Earth announced plans to acquire Texas Mineral Resources in a deal valued at roughly $73 million. The move underscores growing strategic interest in domestic supply chains for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies.

Middle East War Rattles Markets as Brent Crude Climbs Toward $84 and Iran Vows Escalation

U.S. equity futures retreated Thursday as Brent crude resumed its climb toward $84 a barrel after Iran pledged to escalate its retaliation against American and Israeli strikes, disrupting Persian Gulf shipping lanes and reigniting fears that prolonged conflict could stoke inflation and delay Federal Reserve rate cuts well into 2026.

Nvidia Holds $5 Trillion Crown as Alphabet Joins Mega-Cap Club Amid AI Spending Surge

Nvidia continues to anchor a historic rally in large-cap technology after cementing its position as the first publicly traded company to sustain a $5 trillion market capitalization, while Alphabet joined Microsoft and Apple in the $4 trillion tier following a favorable antitrust ruling, as semiconductors and AI infrastructure spending redefine valuation ceilings on Wall Street.

Costco, Kroger, and Marvell Technology Headline Earnings Thursday as Consumer and Chip Spending Face Scrutiny

Investors will receive critical data points on consumer spending resilience and semiconductor demand Thursday as retail giants Costco and Kroger, along with AI chip supplier Marvell Technology, publish quarterly results against a backdrop of rising oil prices, a freshly enacted 15% global tariff, and persistent questions about whether household purchasing power is beginning to crack.

Broadcom Posts Q1 FY2026 Earnings After Bell; AI Chip Revenue Expected to Double to $8.2 Billion

Broadcom reports its first-quarter fiscal year 2026 results Wednesday after market close, with analysts forecasting revenue of $19.21 billion — a 29% year-over-year increase — and earnings per share of $2.02. The AI semiconductor division is projected to generate approximately $8.2 billion, effectively doubling from a year ago, fueled by massive hyperscaler demand and a reported $73 billion AI chip backlog including a new $11 billion Anthropic order.

Bitcoin Surges Past $71,000, Testing Its Role as a Digital Safe Haven Amid Iran War

Bitcoin climbed above $71,000 on Wednesday, rising more than 6% over 24 hours as investors sought alternatives to equities roiled by Middle East conflict. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded three consecutive days of net inflows, and analysts at Tagus Capital described the cryptocurrency as exhibiting "defensive characteristics" during the crisis — a notable shift from its historical tendency to decline alongside risk assets during geopolitical stress events.

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz as U.S.-Israeli Strikes Deepen, Sending Oil to Eight-Month Highs

The Islamic Republic declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all maritime traffic on Tuesday as U.S. and Israeli forces launched a fourth consecutive day of strikes, pushing Brent crude above $84 per barrel. The closure of the world's most critical oil chokepoint — through which roughly a third of global seaborne crude exports pass — has ignited fears of a prolonged supply shock and rattled equity markets worldwide.