Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Wall Street’s main indexes climbed on Thursday, supported by strong earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) that reinforced investor optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) and extended a rally in chip stocks. TSMC, the world’s largest maker of advanced chips, raised its full-year revenue forecast, citing surging demand from AI spending. Despite initial gains of over 2% before the opening bell, U.S.-listed TSMC shares slipped 1.1% amid volatile trading.
The upbeat sentiment spread across major U.S. chipmakers. Nvidia rose 1.2%, Micron Technology advanced 2.7%, and Broadcom gained 1.3%, lifting the S&P 500 tech sector by 0.5%. Analysts said investor enthusiasm for AI continues to be fueled by strong spending from tech giants and hyperscalers, with investors now exploring adjacent opportunities beyond traditional chipmakers.
Recent positive momentum in AI-related stocks and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts have supported markets in recent months. Strong earnings from major banks also highlighted economic resilience, even as official macroeconomic data remain delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 83.57 points, or 0.18%, to 46,336.88. The S&P 500 gained 19.62 points, or 0.29%, to 6,690.68, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 115.74 points, or 0.51%, to 22,785.82. The S&P 500 communication services sector advanced 0.7%, while financials declined 0.9%.
In geopolitical news, tensions flared as China accused the U.S. of inciting panic over rare earth export controls, rejecting Washington’s call to ease restrictions. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods but remains open to meeting President Xi Jinping later this month.
Elsewhere, Salesforce shares surged 7.1% after projecting 2030 revenue above $60 billion, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise fell 8.6% on weaker profit guidance. J.B. Hunt jumped 17.7% following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.
