🌍 Global Markets Rise on Tech Gains and AI Optimism
World stock markets moved mostly higher on Thursday, supported by gains in tech-related shares. This followed new records on Wall Street, thanks to a positive inflation report and a bold revenue forecast from Oracle, boosted by the artificial intelligence boom.
🇪🇺 Europe Mixed as FTSE and CAC Rise
In early European trading:
France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.5% to 7,803.52straight day of gains.
Germany’s DAX remained nearly flat at 23,631.29
Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.4% to 9,259.17
🇯🇵 Tokyo Gains as SoftBank Soars Again
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 jumped 1.2% to 44,372.50, driven by SoftBank Group shares surging 8.3% for a second day.
Japan’s producer prices increased 2.7% year-on-year in August. That’s up from 2.5% in July, with higher food, transport equipment, and machinery costs contributing to the rise.
🇨🇳 China Mixed: Shanghai Rises, Hang Seng Falls
In Chinese markets:
- Shanghai Composite rose 1.7% to 3,875.31
- Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong fell 0.4% to 26,086.32
Chipmakers were strong performers:
Cambricon Technologies — dubbed “China’s Nvidia” — climbed 9%
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp gained over 6%
Hua Hong Semiconductor rose 3.8%
🌏 Asia-Pacific Markets Show Mixed Momentum
Other major Asia-Pacific indexes moved as follows:
- South Korea’s Kospi added 0.9% to 3,344.20
- Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.3% to 8,805.00
- India’s Sensex rose 0.2%
- Taiwan’s Taiex inched up 0.1%
Stephen Innes, from SPI Asset Management, noted that Thursday’s market was “lively from a distance but flat up close,” referencing mixed follow-through after Wall Street’s rally.
🇺🇸 Wall Street Hits Records as Tech Leads
On Wednesday:
- The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, setting a new all-time high
- The Nasdaq composite edged up slightly after record gains
- The Dow Jones fell 220 points or 0.5%
Tech stocks were the top performers. Oracle soared 35.9%, its best day since 1992, on forecasts of AI-fueled revenue growth—despite reporting earnings that missed estimates.
📉 Inflation, Interest Rates, and Fed Expectations
Markets remain optimistic that the U.S. economy can slow just enough to encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but not enter a recession. A report on wholesale inflation released Wednesday showed slower-than-expected growth.
A key report due Thursday will show how inflation is affecting U.S. households, which could influence the Fed’s next decision.
Traders still expect the Fed to cut rates at its next meeting, but this depends on continued mild inflation data in the weeks ahead.
