US Equity Indexes Rise as Services Hit 3.5-Year High, Plans Emerge to Safeguard Persian Gulf Crossings

US equity markets saw a positive surge today, driven by robust economic data indicating a 3.5-year high in the services sector, signaling strong underlying economic health. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf, a critical oil transit region, are being addressed with emerging safeguard plans, easing some market concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Investors should watch how these dual factors influence inflation and corporate earnings in the coming quarter.