Market Opens with Unexpected Downturn Wrong Boom Rattles Investors Bond Markets Signal Fed May Need to Keep Rates Higher Market Implications Middle East Conflict Tests Gulf Regions Ambitions as an AI Hub Mercury Reaches 52 Billion Valuation in 200 Million Series D Round Bucking Fintech Downturn German Business Morale Unexpectedly Improves Amid Iran War Energy Disruptions Bitcoin Dips Below 77000 as Iran Tensions and ETF Outflows Weigh on Sentiment Alger Weatherbie Specialized Growth Fund Maintains Position in StepStone Group STEP Amid Market Headwinds