Markets rallied to record highs today fueled by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s signaling of a potential deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which sent oil prices dropping below $80. Despite the diplomatic optimism, reports indicate ongoing skepticism and conflicting narratives regarding formal negotiations with Iran. Broader market sentiment was bolstered by stellar earnings, notably Palantir and Microsoft, though Apple faced downgrades citing memory inflation pressures. Economic indicators remained mixed; while corporate growth persists, the JOLTS report revealed a labor market showing signs of cooling, with job openings missing forecasts and a notable rise in government hiring. Separately, the security landscape is shifting as Interpol warned that AI facilitated over half of all African cybercrime cases in 2025, providing a stark contrast to technological safety gains, such as a study showing Waymo’s crash rate is 68% lower than human drivers.