Markets ended the week with two familiar themes back in focus: the durability of the AI investment boom and the path of interest rates. Geopolitics took more of a backseat as oil prices fell back toward levels seen before the Iran War, which should be a constructive development for consumers and inflation.

U.S. equities finished higher last week, supported by a geopolitical reprieve, continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence infrastructure, and another sharp rally in semiconductors.

U.S. equities posted a modest weekly gain as investors navigated a volatile stretch of Iran-driven headlines before finishing the week on a notably optimistic note.

In a more transactional lending market, specialty finance stands apart by understanding the business, staying steady under stress, and structuring around client outcomes.

U.S. equities pulled back last week as a sharp late-week selloff in technology and semiconductor stocks overshadowed a broadly constructive stretch of economic data.