Global shares rose on Thursday, driven by gains in artificial intelligence-related stocks and computer chips. Meanwhile, U.S. and Brent crude oil prices fell, and foreign exchange markets continued to react following a joint intervention by the United States and Japan to support the Japanese yen.
European and American Markets Drift Higher
Global equities showed upward momentum as trading got underway. France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.1% in early trading to reach 8,685.40. Germany’s DAX added 0.4% to stand at 26,445.93. In contrast, Britain’s FTSE 100 moved in the opposite direction, shedding 0.4% to hit 10,791.07.
Across the Atlantic, American markets pointed toward modest gains. Dow futures ticked up nearly 0.1% to 53,921.00, while S&P 500 futures rose by nearly 0.1% to 7,775.25. These movements follow a midweek release showing that inflation across the United States matched forecasts with a slight improvement, alongside stronger-than-expected spring earnings from several artificial intelligence-related companies.
Asian Markets Led by Strong Gains in South Korea and Japan
Asian trading sessions presented a mixed picture, though major benchmarks finished in positive territory overall. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 advanced 1.2% to close at 68,308.59. South Korea experienced even sharper increases, with the Kospi jumping 3.6% to reach 6,813.34. That surge was propelled in large part by a 4.9% increase in Samsung Electronics shares and a 9% jump for computer chipmaker SK Hynix.
Not all regional exchanges shared the enthusiasm. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.2% to 25,378.14, the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.5% to 3,926.96, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.2% to finish at 9,188.50.
Investor Scrutiny Mounts Over Artificial Intelligence Spending
The broader wave of buying in computer chips and artificial intelligence shares comes after a period of intense volatility. Artificial intelligence stocks recently navigated a roller-coaster ride marked by record highs followed by mounting pressure from market participants worried that valuations had climbed too steeply.
Analysts point to a shift in market psychology. Rather than buying into the entire sector indiscriminately, investors are increasingly selective about which artificial intelligence stocks to play. Market participants are demanding that heavy spenders on artificial intelligence demonstrate that their capital investments are generating sufficient profits and productivity to justify the cost, a requirement that could dictate the sustained demand for chips and infrastructure going forward.
Crude Oil Prices Slide Alongside Currency Adjustments
Outside of equities, commodity markets saw notable downward pressure on energy products. Benchmark U.S. crude slipped $1.18 to settle at $82.08 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, fell $1.17 to $87.81 a barrel.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar moved down to 159.37 Japanese yen, compared with 159.42 yen previously. The euro traded at $1.1526, dropping slightly from $1.1527. These foreign exchange fluctuations remain closely watched by traders following a joint intervention by the United States and Japan to prop up the yen, leaving the dollar trading above the 150 yen threshold.
