The SEC and CFTC have formalized a coordination pact through a memorandum of understanding to align their rulemaking, supervision, and enforcement, particularly regarding financial markets and digital assets. This agreement aims to address longstanding issues of overlapping jurisdiction and regulatory inefficiencies, setting the stage for clearer guidance and shared oversight responsibilities between the two agencies.

Treasury yields rose after a $39 billion auction of 10-year notes drew weak demand, with the notes sold at a yield of 4.217%, slightly higher than expected. Primary dealers had to absorb 12.7% of the sale, above the recent average. The yield on existing 10-year notes closed at 4.207%, up from 4.135%. Yields have been rising amid worries that higher gas and oil prices could impede the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates.

Financial advisers say market swings tied to the Iran conflict are prompting investors to rebalance portfolios, favor high-quality bonds and hold more cash for near-term needs. Some are also increasing allocations to gold and using strategies such as tax-loss harvesting to manage risk and capture opportunities during volatility.

Global bonds have lost all gains for the year as rising oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions have sparked fears of renewed inflation. The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index is now flat for 2026, after having been up as much as 2.1% through late February. US Treasury yields have climbed to multi-month highs as investors anticipate that inflation will outweigh the traditional flight to safe-haven assets.

The US has launched a trade investigation into more than a dozen countries, including China, the EU and Mexico, to examine allegations of excess manufacturing capacity, setting the stage for new tariffs. The probe, under Section 301 of the Trade Act, follows a Supreme Court decision that struck down previous tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration believes it can withstand a temporary surge in oil prices triggered by the Iran war, expecting the impact to remain manageable for three to four weeks. Officials say policy is unlikely to change unless elevated prices persist, though a prolonged conflict could turn energy costs into a broader political and economic challenge.

US regulators are reportedly preparing proposals to relax some bank capital requirements, including revisions to Basel III rules and adjustments to surcharges on the largest lenders. The changes aim to level the regulatory playing field and encourage banks to expand lending while aligning US standards more closely with global frameworks, sources say.