Surging Borrowing Costs, EU-US Deal Advances, Nuns Get Financially Savvy

Global markets are facing a prolonged downturn as mounting inflation concerns and rising borrowing costs push 30-year US Treasury yields to levels not seen since 2007. Central banks remain under pressure to address these inflationary risks, with traders pricing in potential interest rate hikes. Amid this volatility, the EU has finalized a trade deal with the US, while the UK government explores voluntary food price caps to mitigate cost-of-living pressures. Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt energy markets, keeping crude prices elevated. Meanwhile, Spain’s Catholic religious orders are modernizing their financial management, shifting toward independent advisors and professional teams to navigate declining donations and rising maintenance costs. Investors remain focused on Nvidia’s upcoming earnings, balancing the company's consistent ability to beat revenue estimates against the challenges of meeting high forward-looking expectations.