Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
