Traders have been increasingly betting on reduced bond market volatility, as a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has kept Treasury yields stable, with the 10-year yield trading within a 16-basis-point range. Analysts at JPMorgan have cautioned that the decline in volatility may be excessive, considering ongoing risks to inflation, the job market and the ceasefire.

Private markets are taking on a more prominent role in individual investor portfolios and 89% of FAs expect private markets to outperform public markets over time. Explore the strategies advisors are utilizing for diversification, income generation, and capital appreciation and preservation.

US Treasury yields remained largely unchanged after President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the cease-fire with Iran, citing a fractured government in Tehran. The yield on the 10-year note fell slightly to 4.276%, while the two-year note dropped to 3.762%. Investors are also watching the confirmation hearing of Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh.

Investors are showing resilience in the face of the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with major stock indexes surpassing prewar levels despite potential energy shocks and geopolitical instability. The "buy the dip" mentality has driven significant market gains, particularly in tech stocks, and professionals note that near-term threats seem less significant alongside the strength of the US economy and energy production. However, some analysts warn that the market's current momentum may be disconnected from reality.

A Bloomberg Intelligence survey of 150 executives from private equity, venture capital, asset management and investment banking shows that the risk of litigation is a primary concern for companies considering an initial public offering in the US. The survey shows that the threat of class-action lawsuits, regulatory burdens and the complexity of the IPO process are significant deterrents, causing the number of public companies to drop by 50% since 1996. Policymakers such as the Securities and Exchange Commission are addressing these issues to make public markets more attractive, with possible regulatory changes including biannual reporting and revised executive compensation disclosures.

Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, emphasized his commitment to central bank independence during a Senate confirmation hearing. Warsh said no promises had been made to the White House on interest-rate policy and declined to comment on matters tied to ongoing litigation, including a Justice Department probe into a Fed construction project.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is monitoring the private credit market as redemption requests rise and default projections increase, Chair Paul Atkins said. Atkins highlighted concerns around valuation, transparency and credit quality in the $1.8 trillion sector, noting that limited visibility can complicate oversight. While regulators remain focused on potential risks, the SEC is also working in line with the administration's goal of expanding access to private credit for retail investors, alongside parallel efforts by the Labor Department to support broader inclusion of alternative assets in retirement portfolios.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller called for a fundamental reworking of the central bank's internal operations, arguing that key support functions should be more centralized and less dependent on consensus among the Fed's 12 regional banks. Waller said the US economy and banking system have grown less regional over time, making the Fed's current structure less effective. He outlined models aimed at streamlining decision-making and improving efficiency, resilience, and cybersecurity, emphasizing that faster adaptation is essential as technological change reshapes financial oversight and risk management.