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US Treasury yields increased during the week of March 13, 2026, after oil prices briefly exceeded $100 per barrel, prompting investors to delay expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts into later 2026. Markets now price in only one rate cut for the year, down from prior forecasts, as February CPI data appears outdated amid March's energy inflation spike. The bond market showed unhinged behavior amid fears of higher headline inflation, slower growth, and stagflation risks from sustained high oil prices. A prolonged oil elevation could pair high inflation with unemployment rises, complicating Fed policy.

Nokia shares increased 1.4% on March 13, 2026, supported by robust trading volume as investors sought defensive plays amid S&P 500 and Nasdaq declines. The gain highlights telecom resilience in a session dominated by AI and crypto volatility. With VIX at 26.49, such stocks provide stability during consolidation. Future trading may hinge on 5G infrastructure spending news.

Intel gained 1.7% on March 13, 2026, fueled by optimism over US semiconductor manufacturing investments and government domestic chip support. This bucked the broader market trend where S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined on geopolitical worries. The move signals continued sector strength, with high trading volume in semis despite VIX at 26.49. Future catalysts include policy updates on chip subsidies.

Microsoft launched Copilot Cowork on March 13, 2026, an enterprise AI agent that reads, analyzes, and manipulates files on workers' computers to boost productivity. The product enters the competitive AI coworker category following Anthropic's similar release, which sparked fears of disruption to traditional software firms and a selloff in software stocks. Technology leaders from Oracle and others are pushing back against concerns that generative AI will replace established software companies. This move signals accelerating competition in autonomous AI agents amid enterprise adoption.