
Risk appetite weakened as Middle East tensions and hawkish Federal Reserve expectations lifted oil and hit semiconductor shares, while Bitcoin stayed range-bound and Ether lagged.
Risk sentiment turned defensive as Middle East tensions and hawkish Federal Reserve expectations pushed Brent crude above $85 a barrel for a weekly gain of more than 10% and weighed on semiconductor shares in U.S. equities. In crypto, Bitcoin traded in a relatively tight $63,000-$65,000 range while Ether underperformed, reflecting a market that remained cautious amid broader macro pressure.