US equity markets delivered a mixed and volatile performance for the week, as a deepening selloff in AI-related stocks and a hotter-than-expected inflation report pressured growth-oriented areas of the market while defensive sectors held up. The S&P 500 fell 1.9% for the week, its worst weekly loss since June, as surging crude oil prices renewed inflation fears and chipmakers declined for an eighth consecutive session. Treasury yields moved lower on the week, as a mid-week spike following the inflation report was reversed by a flight to safety amid the equity selloff. WTI crude oil rose approximately 8.4% as supply disruptions tied to conflicts in the Middle East and Russia pushed prices above $100 per barrel. The September Consumer Price Index showed headline inflation of 3.7% year-over-year and core prices rising 0.3% month-over-month, both above expectations, while September retail sales increased 0.8%, driven largely by higher gasoline spending.