Oil markets reversed sharply in Q2 2026, with Brent crude posting its worst quarterly performance since 2020 as easing Middle East tensions and rising global supply expectations triggered a major price correction.

Global equity markets posted their strongest quarter in years, driven by artificial intelligence optimism, resilient corporate earnings, and easing geopolitical tensions, with major U.S. indices reaching record levels.

Strategy has introduced a new capital framework that allows limited Bitcoin sales for the first time, marking a shift away from its long-standing accumulation-only approach as the company prioritizes liquidity and balance sheet flexibility.

Technology companies are accelerating artificial intelligence investment at unprecedented scale while simultaneously reducing headcount and facing rising infrastructure constraints. A surge in hyperscaler capital expenditure contrasts with ongoing layoffs across the sector and growing pressure on data center capacity, financing models, and energy systems.

Technology stocks declined sharply as investors reassessed the financial returns of artificial intelligence spending. The market reaction highlighted a growing divide between companies generating measurable AI growth and those facing increasing pressure to justify investment and software valuations