Finance

The PHLX Semiconductor index surged nearly 3%, marking its sixteenth consecutive winning session, the longest record for the benchmark. This growth was largely propelled by Texas Instruments, which saw its stock soar over 18% following financial results and guidance that exceeded market expectations.

Oil prices climbed above $103 per barrel as concerns intensified regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and reports of Iranian military activity. These heightened geopolitical risks also pushed the 10-year Treasury yield up to approximately 4.32%, as traders weighed the potential for renewed inflationary pressures.

First-quarter 2026 earnings projections indicate that the 'Magnificent 7' tech giants are expected to deliver roughly 22.8% growth, significantly outperforming the broader market. However, analysts noted that Nvidia remains the primary driver of this trend, as the group's growth rate would drop to just 6.4% without its contribution.

Weekly applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. increased slightly to 214,000, coming in slightly above economist forecasts of 210,000. Despite this small uptick, analysts described the labor market as remaining historically healthy and stable, even as energy costs and international conflicts introduce new downside risks.

Bitcoin opened at over $78,000 on Thursday, its highest starting level since early February, signaling renewed institutional interest through ETFs. While traders remain cautious about regional instability, technical indicators are suggesting a bullish shift in momentum relative to traditional safe-haven assets like gold.