U.S. equity markets fell for a fifth-straight week— pulling several major benchmarks into correction territory— as the Iran conflict remained locked in a volatile stalemate, keeping energy markets on edge. The fourth week of the Iran conflict delivered little progress toward de-escalation, as Washington maintained strikes on Iranian nuclear sites while Tehran continued retaliatory attacks across the Persian Gulf. The S&P 500 declined 2.1% this week and now sits 8.7% below its late-January record. The Dow and Nasdaq both entered "correction" territory, while the VIX volatility index topped 30.

U.S. equity markets fell for a fourth straight week, while interest rates jumped to eight-month highs, as continued turmoil in the Middle East rattled financial markets and revived inflation concerns. The third week of the Iran conflict settled into an uneasy equilibrium between escalation and de-escalation amid a continued standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, the key global energy chokepoint. The Federal Reserve - long bemoaning tariff-related inflation that failed to materialize - did little to calm markets, delivering a “hawkish hold” that pushed traders to price in rate hikes by year-end.

U.S. equities slid to four-month lows as the escalating Iran war rattled markets, sending oil to three-year highs and interest rates higher amid tanker attacks, shipping disruptions, and intensifying strikes. Brent Crude jumped above $100 as attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and tanker explosions threatened global oil flows, fueling inflation fears and keeping investors on edge. The White House deployed emergency supply measures—including Russian crude purchases and potential strategic reserve releases—but markets remain skeptical they can offset disruptions to global energy flows.

U.S. equities posted their worst week since October as a historic surge in oil prices fueled by the escalating Iran conflict rattled investor sentiment and revived inflation fears. While the U.S. continued to dominate the military balance over the past week, what remains of the Iranian regime is increasingly wounded and unpredictable, sowing chaos in global energy markets. Oil prices surged to the highest level since 2024 on concerns over long-term disruptions to the Hormuz Strait - the critical energy chokepoint that handles one-fifth of global oil trade.

U.S. equity markets slumped this week - while interest rates tumbled to multi-year lows- as investors weighed unresolved AI questions and a flight to safety sparked by escalating Middle East tensions. The defensive "risk-off" posture took sharper relevance over the weekend after a dramatic U.S.-led strike of Iranian leadership that sought to topple the Islamic regime. The S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, while Small-Caps slid nearly 2%. The policy-sensitive 2-Year Treasury Yield dipped to the lowest level since August 2022. Oil prices swelled to seven-month highs.

High Dividend Opportunities targets an 8–10% portfolio yield, prioritizing sustainable cashflow to replace income in retirement without selling shares. Will Barton shares why they emphasize diversification, favoring CEFs and preferreds, and adapting allocations based on macro conditions, with a current focus on tangible assets like real estate and energy.

U.S. equity markets advanced this week as investors parsed a deluge of headlines, including a major Supreme Court tariff ruling, escalating Middle East tensions, soft economic data, and hawkish Fed-speak. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to restrict the President's authority to impose broader tariffs under the IEEPA framework, a widely expected move that was quickly countered by the White House. Investors also shrugged off renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which sent oil prices to seven-month highs. The S&P 500 advanced 1.1% - its best weekly gains since early January.

AGNC Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: AGNCO - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 0% on Friday. The stock traded as low as $25.44 and last traded at $25.48. Approximately 16,243 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 27% from the average daily volume of 22,175 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.49. AGNC Investment

U.S. equity markets diverged sharply as cooling labor data revived Fed rate-cut expectations, accelerating a value rotation and pressuring growth amid scrutiny and an unwind of the dollar debasement trade. With the January BLS payrolls report delayed, investors instead reacted to softer-than-expected JOLTS, ADP, Challenger, and initial claims data, interrupting a stretch of resilient economic releases and tempering risk sentiment. Meanwhile, the busiest week of corporate earnings season raised questions around where long-term value from booming AI spending ultimately accrues, both within the AI ecosystem and across the broader economy.

Key Themes To Watch This REIT Earnings Season