Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
China Expands Influence in Global Gold Market 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Asian stock markets climbed sharply on Thursday, driven by a strong rebound in technology shares after Nvidia delivered upbeat quarterly results and confident guidance. The chipmaker’s performance eased worries about a potential bubble in the AI sector and boosted global tech sentiment.
Markets across the region tracked Wall Street’s recovery, with U.S. stock index futures jumping after Nvidia’s report. By 21:16 ET (02:16 GMT), S&P 500 Futures were up 1.2%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 1.7%, signaling renewed appetite for growth and semiconductor stocks.
Japan and South Korea led the rally, with the Nikkei 225 surging 3.2% and the KOSPI jumping 2.6%. Investors piled back into tech names after Nvidia reported stronger-than-expected earnings and an outlook supported by robust AI-driven demand. CEO Jensen Huang reiterated that the company’s customer base extends beyond major hyperscalers, dismissing fears of an AI bubble. Nvidia shares climbed more than 5% in after-hours trading.
The positive momentum spilled over to key suppliers. In South Korea and Japan, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Advantest advanced between 4% and 9%. SoftBank Group also rose 3.5%, despite having fully exited its Nvidia stake last year. The broader tech sector benefited from bargain hunting after recent sell-offs tied to valuation concerns.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 1.2%, supported by mining and tech gains, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index inched up 0.3%. Indian Nifty 50 futures added 0.2%. Mainland Chinese markets lagged due to their smaller tech exposure, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite each edging up 0.1%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was the region’s main laggard, slipping 0.2% as Xiaomi dropped another 3%. The smartphone giant warned of rising chip costs and faces ongoing doubts about its electric vehicle ambitions, overshadowing its strong quarterly results. NetEase also fell ahead of its earnings release, while local EV stocks weakened on concerns over declining demand following the end of key subsidies.
Despite geopolitical tensions between Japan and China, optimism around global tech growth helped investors maintain a risk-on outlook.
