GOOD MORNING.

For five weeks, a war between the United States and Iran has been squeezing the global oil supply and threatening to push inflation higher. On Tuesday night, that pressure lifted — at least for now.

President Trump announced a two-week suspension of U.S. military action against Iran. In return, Tehran agreed to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries roughly 20 percent of the world's oil supply. Iran had blockaded the strait when the conflict began, and that closure sent crude prices above $112 per barrel.

On Wednesday, oil collapsed. West Texas Intermediate crude futures tumbled more than 16% to close at $94.41 per barrel, its biggest single-day drop since April 2020. Stocks responded immediately. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1,325 points, or 2.85%, to close at 47,909.92 — its best day since April 2025. The S&P 500 added 2.51%.

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Why does this matter to you? Because oil prices affect almost everything you buy. When crude is at $112 a barrel, gas stations, grocery stores, airlines, and manufacturers all pass those costs on to you. The quick drop in oil is good news for your grocery bill, your gas tank, and the broader inflation picture.

The bond market reacted strongly as well. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dropped around 4 basis points to close near 4.30%. That matters because the direction of bond yields influences mortgage rates, CD rates, and the income many retirees count on from fixed-income investments. When yields fall, it often signals that investors expect lower inflation and possibly lower interest rates ahead.

Still, caution is warranted. Iran's parliamentary speaker said the U.S. has already violated the ceasefire agreement, and analyst Ed Yardeni, while lowering his recession odds back to 20% from 35%, reminded investors that "a two-week pause is not a resolution." He warned financial markets will remain sensitive to any breakdown in talks.

The practical takeaway: today's rally is real, but it was driven by news that could reverse quickly. If you are already in a diversified portfolio appropriate for your age and income needs, no action is required. If the past five weeks of elevated oil and stock volatility made you anxious, today is a good reminder that news can swing markets sharply in both directions, and steady positioning tends to serve retirees better than reacting to headlines.

Investors increased bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts after the ceasefire, with yields on 10-year and 20-year Treasury debt falling on the day. Just weeks ago, the Fed was expected to hold rates steady all year because the war was pushing oil prices higher and threatening a new inflation spike. That calculation has now shifted. If oil stays lower and inflation cools, the Fed has more room to cut rates later in 2026. For retirees who have been enjoying higher yields on CDs, money market accounts, and short-term bonds, the window to lock in those rates may be getting shorter. This is a good time to review how much of your cash is sitting in shorter-term instruments versus slightly longer maturities that could preserve your yield if rates move lower.

Energy stocks, which had surged around 34% so far in 2026 on the back of elevated oil prices, fell sharply Wednesday as crude dropped. If you hold energy companies in your portfolio as a direct position — rather than as part of a broad index fund — this is worth reviewing. A five-week war premium has been built into those stock prices. With oil pulling back and analysts at Roth Capital already downgrading several oil producers, the tailwind that lifted energy stocks since March has weakened. That does not mean selling is the right answer, but it is worth understanding what drove those gains and whether the investment still fits your income and risk goals.

Market strategists noted that while the ceasefire sparked a clear relief rally, investors are not fully removing their defensive positions — bonds and gold both attracted continued buying even as stocks surged. Iran's parliament claimed Wednesday that the U.S. had already broken the terms of the agreement, and ongoing fighting in Lebanon and the Gulf region raised further doubts. The ceasefire is two weeks long at most, and both sides are pointing fingers. Markets will be watching closely for any sign of escalation. Do not let one strong day change your longer-term portfolio positioning if you set it up with care. Steady plans built for income and protection tend to outperform ones built around reacting to each headline.

*Disclaimers: Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.

Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.

The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.