Brent Crude Near $90 Amid Market Volatility; Tech and Energy Sectors React

US stock indices ended mixed on Wednesday, with broad market movements closely tied to energy price dynamics. Brent crude futures climbed to $89.87 per barrel, nearing the $90 threshold and marking a 4.2% weekly gain. This surge in oil prices weighed on energy sector margins and raised concerns about inflationary pressure, particularly in a backdrop of persistent global supply constraints and regional tensions. The S&P 500 closed up 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite edged higher by 0.2%, supported by gains in tech stocks including Apple (AAPL), which rose 1.4% amid strong earnings guidance from key suppliers. Meanwhile, the VIX index, a measure of market volatility, climbed to 17.8 from 16.5 the prior session, reflecting heightened investor caution. The energy sector posted a 0.8% decline despite the oil price rise, as rising input costs and elevated refining margins pressured profit visibility. Companies with heavy exposure to global logistics and transportation, including those in the defense sector, also saw modest losses amid expectations of tighter fiscal conditions. Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies experienced slight pullbacks, with their shares down 0.6% and 0.9% respectively, as investors recalibrated risk assessments amid geopolitical uncertainty in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The interplay between energy costs and macroeconomic policy remains a central focus for Federal Reserve officials ahead of the upcoming policy meeting. With core inflation data still above target levels, the market now prices in a 62% probability of a rate hold in April, up from 55% at the start of the week. Analysts suggest that sustained Brent prices above $90 could prompt the Fed to delay any rate cuts into late 2026, especially if inflation reaccelerates.