Latest drilling activity numbers just dropped—total rig count climbed to 549, up from 544 last period. That's a modest uptick signaling steadier energy sector momentum. More rigs typically mean higher production expectations, which can ripple through inflation dynamics and commodity-linked assets. For those watching macro trends, this kind of data feeds into the bigger picture of economic activity and risk appetite. Energy costs still matter for mining operations too, so worth keeping on the radar.