Tag: NASDAQ

  • AI Rally Propels Nasdaq to Record Close, AMD Joins Trillion-Dollar Chip Club

    AI Rally Propels Nasdaq to Record Close, AMD Joins Trillion-Dollar Chip Club

    Wall Street opened the week with a strong tech rally. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.26% to 27,122.09 points, setting a new record close and marking its first record high since June 2. The S&P 500 rose 1.49% to 7,764.70 points, while the Dow gained 0.71%.

    Notably, chip stocks led the rise. AMD jumped nearly 10% and crossed a USD 1 trillion market value for the first time. Intel gained 12.2%, Arm Holdings rose 10% and Meta climbed 11.4%.

    The gains were not limited to stocks. Bitcoin rose more than 6% to a fresh seven-month high. Falling oil prices and lower US Treasury yields also helped markets. Brent crude settled at USD 100.34 a barrel, while the 10-year Treasury yield fell below 5%. Investors are still watching US interest rates, Middle East developments and the upcoming US-China meeting.

    AMD was one of the biggest names in Monday’s rally. Its shares have gained about 25% in five trading sessions. The move shows that investor interest in AI stocks is picking up again after concerns about high AI spending had cooled the market.

    AMD now joins NVIDIA, Broadcom and Micron as the fourth US chipmaker to reach a USD 1 trillion valuation. NVIDIA remains far ahead at more than USD 5 trillion. The growing list shows how much value investors are placing on chips as AI use expands across data centers and other services.

    AMD’s milestone is another sign that AI is reshaping the chip industry. For investors, the focus is no longer only on software or AI models. Companies building the chips and systems behind them are also drawing major market attention.

  • US Stocks Slip as Treasury Yields Climb: Nasdaq and S&P 500 Give Back Gains

    US Stocks Slip as Treasury Yields Climb: Nasdaq and S&P 500 Give Back Gains

    US equities closed lower on Friday as rising Treasury yields weighed on investor sentiment, unwinding most of the gains posted Thursday after the latest rate hike. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1%, the broad S&P 500 index lost 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.4%.

    Bond Yields Surge

    The move came as US government bond yields climbed across the curve. The two-year Treasury yield rose 1.5% to 4.75%, marking its highest level since June 2024. Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield pushed above the 5.00% threshold.

    The Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point rate hike on Wednesday continued to reverberate through markets. Japan’s central bank also raised rates by 25 basis points overnight, underscoring a global shift toward tighter monetary policy.

    Higher bond yields typically make equities less attractive relative to fixed-income assets and raise borrowing costs for corporations. Sectors with heavy debt loads, such as materials and utilities, felt the pressure, while financial and real estate names also struggled.

    Analysts also noted that the ongoing artificial intelligence rally and hyperscalers’ heavy capital expenditure have contributed to increased bond issuance, adding further upward pressure on yields.

    Triple Witching Adds to Market Turbulence

    Friday was also the third Friday of September — a quarterly triple witching day when stock options, stock index futures, and stock index options all expire at the close. Such sessions often bring above-average trading volume and sharper volatility as investors adjust or roll over their positions. The final hour of trading, from 15:00 to 16:00 EST, can be especially turbulent, with triple witching days frequently recording double the typical daily volume.

    S&P 500 Tests Key Support

    The S&P 500 opened sharply higher before reversing course to test the June 2 high at 7,621. According to FXStreet’s technical analysis, the index appeared to find support at the 50-day simple moving average during the morning session. A sustained break below 7,621 could open the door to Wednesday’s low near 7,508, while a move higher might face resistance around 7,800 next week or before the end of September.

    In other news, Warren Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman after 61 years, with his son Howard Buffett taking over the role. Greg Abel remains CEO of the conglomerate.

    Market participants now turn their attention to upcoming economic indicators and corporate developments before making their next investment moves.

  • Oil Price Slide Lifts Wall Street Futures as Inflation Worries Cool

    Oil Price Slide Lifts Wall Street Futures as Inflation Worries Cool

    US stock futures moved higher on Friday, led by the NASDAQ 100, as falling oil prices helped ease inflation concerns after a volatile week for financial markets.

    Futures Rally at the Open

    At 7:00 a.m. ET, NASDAQ 100 E-minis were up 166.25 points, or 0.56%. S&P 500 E-minis rose 21.5 points, or 0.13%, while Dow E-minis added 83 points, or 0.16%. The gains followed Thursday’s rebound, when major US indexes recovered part of the losses triggered by the Federal Reserve’s latest rate increase.

    Oil Prices Ease for a Third Straight Session

    Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate futures dropped nearly 2% each on Friday. Although tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis kept supply risks in focus, lower crude prices helped reduce pressure on inflation expectations. Energy costs are closely watched because higher fuel and transport expenses can feed into consumer prices.

    Oil had already weakened on Thursday, with US crude closing 0.51% lower at USD 101.91 per barrel and Brent falling 0.95% to USD 104.82. Reports that Saudi Arabia would make more crude cargoes available to Asian refiners also eased concerns about near-term supply.

    Treasury yields also retreated. The 10-year US Treasury yield fell more than seven basis points to 4.93% on Thursday after moving above 5% following the Fed’s rate decision.

    Tech Stocks Anchor the Recovery

    Technology stocks remained a key source of strength. NVIDIA rose about 1% in premarket trading on Friday, while Alphabet gained around 2%. Apple slipped 0.2%. On Thursday, NVIDIA and Amazon added more than 2% each, Microsoft advanced 1.5%, Intel jumped 7% and Qualcomm rose about 2%.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Thursday up 316.14 points, or 0.61%, at 51,778.04. The S&P 500 climbed 1.14% to 7,637.76, while the NASDAQ Composite rose 1.69% to 26,418.30.

    AI Spending and Earnings Concerns

    Investors continued to assess the outlook for artificial intelligence spending after several industry executives called for slower development of advanced AI systems. Goldman Sachs chief US equity strategist Ben Snider said concerns had emerged that strong corporate earnings could represent an “earnings bubble.” However, he wrote that the firm’s base case expects S&P 500 earnings growth to “decelerate, not collapse” in coming years.

    Mixed Fund Flows and Market Breadth

    Investor positioning presented a mixed picture. Bank of America data showed investors added a net USD 79.3 billion to stocks in the week through Wednesday, including USD 63.8 billion directed toward US equities. However, separate LSEG Lipper data showed global equity funds recorded USD 23.21 billion in net withdrawals in the week through September 16 — the largest weekly outflow in nine months. US equity funds recorded USD 31.44 billion in withdrawals.

    Technology, financial and consumer discretionary funds still attracted new money, with combined sector inflows helping equity sector funds record their strongest weekly demand in six weeks. Market breadth remained uneven: just over half of S&P 500 companies were trading below their 200-day moving averages, showing that gains in major indexes remained concentrated in a smaller group of stocks.

    Trading activity could also increase on Friday because of “triple witching,” the quarterly expiry of stock options, index options and futures contracts.

  • Anthropic Targets $2 Trillion Valuation in Nasdaq IPO as Claude Revenue Soars Past $11.5 Billion

    Anthropic Targets $2 Trillion Valuation in Nasdaq IPO as Claude Revenue Soars Past $11.5 Billion

    Anthropic expects another profitable quarter as demand for its Claude AI assistant drives revenue growth and strengthens the company’s case for a major public listing. The San Francisco-based artificial intelligence firm told investors in September that adjusted operating income should remain positive for a second consecutive quarter.

    This update arrives as Anthropic prepares a potential Nasdaq listing, with reports indicating a valuation target above $2 trillion. Revenue exceeded $11.5 billion in the second quarter, enabling the company to absorb substantial costs tied to frontier AI development.

    Anthropic’s latest revenue marks a dramatic leap from $787 million in the same quarter last year—representing growth of more than 14 times within twelve months. Quarterly revenue also climbed sharply from roughly $4.73 billion during the first quarter, highlighting accelerating enterprise demand for Claude and the company’s broader AI services.

    The company crossed a $65 billion annualized revenue run rate by the end of July. That figure reflects the current sales pace rather than revenue already generated during the year.

    Anthropic has not disclosed the exact adjusted operating profit for the latest quarter. An earlier Financial Times projection estimated roughly $559 million for the period, though that figure represented a forecast rather than confirmed company earnings.

    The profitability figure also excludes several major expenses tied to Anthropic’s business model. Reported gross margins exceed 80% before revenue sharing and model training costs. Those margins show strong revenue economics, although they do not represent operating margins or net profit. Training advanced models and securing computing capacity still require substantial capital.

    The financial progress could strengthen Anthropic’s pitch to public market investors. A second profitable quarter gives the potential IPO a stronger narrative around growth and improving economics.

    Recent reports indicate Anthropic has selected Nasdaq for the potential listing. The company could seek one of the largest valuations ever assigned to an AI company. Nvidia also remains in discussions to participate as a potential anchor investor. Reports suggest the offering could raise up to $100 billion under an ambitious IPO scenario.

    Anthropic therefore enters the public market race with unusual revenue momentum. The bigger test will involve sustaining profits while funding the enormous computing needs behind Claude.

  • US Stock Futures Climb Ahead of August CPI Report; Oracle Surges, Adobe Slides

    US Stock Futures Climb Ahead of August CPI Report; Oracle Surges, Adobe Slides

    US stock futures moved higher on Friday as investors prepared for the August consumer price index report. Oil prices eased from recent highs, while Treasury yields stayed close to multiyear peaks. Markets remained cautious after Wall Street recorded four straight sessions of losses.

    At 5:31 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis rose 276 points, or 0.53%. S&P 500 E-minis gained 0.54%, while NASDAQ 100 E-minis increased 0.57%. The gains followed another weak session on Thursday, when the Dow fell more than 300 points, the S&P 500 dropped 0.6%, and the NASDAQ Composite declined 0.7%.

    Investors now await the August CPI report. Economists expect consumer prices to rise 0.4% from July and 3.4% from a year earlier. Core CPI is expected to rise 0.2% monthly and 2.4% annually. The data arrives after a hotter producer price index, which increased 0.4% in August and rose 5.4% from a year earlier.

    The inflation readings come ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Sept. 15-16 meeting. Futures markets assign roughly a two-thirds to 70% chance of a 25-basis-point rate increase. Christopher Hodge, chief US economist at Natixis CIB Americas, said an inflation reading near expectations could reduce pressure on the Fed to raise rates.

    Oil prices moved lower on Friday but remained above $104 a barrel for Brent and near $100 for West Texas Intermediate. Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply, and markets continue to monitor Middle East tensions. Bill Adams, chief US economist at Fifth Third Commercial Bank, noted that the surge in energy prices creates new upside risk for inflation.

    Treasury yields stayed elevated, with the 10-year near 4.94% after approaching 5% on Thursday. The 30-year yield reached about 5.3%. Higher bond yields can reduce demand for stocks as investors shift to lower-risk fixed-income assets.

    Oracle shares jumped about 7% in premarket trading after the company reported stronger quarterly revenue and profit. Its cloud infrastructure sales more than doubled, and it added more than $30 billion in AI cloud contracts during the quarter. Remaining performance obligations reached $664 billion. Adobe shares fell more than 2% after issuing a fourth-quarter revenue forecast below Wall Street expectations, though its adjusted earnings of $6.13 per share beat estimates.

    Nvidia gained in premarket trading, while ACV Auctions surged after Copart agreed to acquire it for nearly $1.9 billion. Friday’s market direction will depend heavily on the CPI reading as investors assess inflation, Treasury yields, oil prices, and expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next move.

  • Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin ETF Outflows, Ethereum’s Glamsterdam Upgrade, and SKY Token Price Target

    Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin ETF Outflows, Ethereum’s Glamsterdam Upgrade, and SKY Token Price Target

    Overview

    The crypto market saw major developments as spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $282 million in net outflows, while Ethereum targets October 6 for the Glamsterdam upgrade. Also, Standard Chartered predicts SKY token to rise to $0.325 and HYPE’s protocol revenue rises by 83.3%.

    Bitcoin Witnessed $282 Million in Net Outflow

    According to SoSoValue, the Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a total net outflow of $282.56 million yesterday. The Bitcoin Spot ETF with the highest net inflow yesterday was Morgan Stanley’s ETF MSBT, with a daily net inflow of $3.98 million, and the total historical net inflow of MSBT currently stands at $524.87 million.

    The Bitcoin Spot ETF with the highest net outflow yesterday was Ark Invest and 21Shares’s ETF ARKB, with a daily net outflow of $164.32 million, and the total historical net inflow of ARKB currently stands at $1.22 billion.

    The total net asset value of Bitcoin Spot ETFs is $97.49 billion, with an ETF net asset ratio of 6.28%. The historical cumulative net inflow has reached $55.17 billion.

    Ethereum Targets October 6 for Glamsterdam Upgrade

    Ethereum developers have tentatively scheduled the Glamsterdam upgrade for activation on Sepolia at 13:53 UTC on October 6, 2026. ACDC #186 meeting notes and subsequent reporting from Ethereum protocol researcher Christine D. Kim show that the date remains conditional. Developers had not completed a stable Glamsterdam activation on a private development network when they selected the Sepolia schedule.

    The testing plan has since moved forward by another iteration. Kim said on September 11 that attention had turned to Glamsterdam-Devnet-11, which is expected to launch on Monday, September 14. Earlier plans had identified Devnet-10 as the next major test.

    Nasdaq Puts $100 Million in Kraken

    Nasdaq, one of the world’s most important stock exchange operators, has announced a $100 million investment in Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, to jointly build the infrastructure that will bring publicly listed shares onto the blockchain. This Nasdaq-Kraken tokenized stock deal marks a genuine reversal of the narrative: traditional finance is not watching from the sidelines while crypto exchanges experiment with equity tokens. Wall Street is putting its own capital directly into crypto infrastructure.

    Nasdaq now owns equity in the venue it has picked to distribute its own tokenized shares outside the United States, and the deal lands nine days after Payward struck a comparable arrangement with the London Stock Exchange.

    Standard Chartered Expects SKY Token to Rise to $0.325

    Standard Chartered has issued its first coverage of Sky’s SKY token, setting a target price of $0.325 by the end of 2028, which is five times higher than the current $0.065. The bank expects that as USDS adoption and lending capacity expand, the value delivered to SKY token holders by Sky will exceed five times its current level by 2028. Data from DeFiLlama shows that USD Sky’s yield-bearing sUSDS token has a total value locked of $4.5 billion with an annualized yield of 3.6%.

    Geoff Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, said Sky is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform originally named MakerDAO, capable of issuing stablecoins, establishing governance frameworks, and charging wholesale interest rates to borrowers making it akin to a ‘federal bank.’

    HYPE’s Protocol Revenue Rises

    In the past 30 days, Hyperliquid protocol revenue amounted to approximately $59.84 million, a growth of 83.3% compared to the previous 30 days; revenue in the most recent 7 days reached about $11.57 million, a 12.7% decrease compared to the prior period.

    From August 12 to September 11, the cumulative HYPE burned by the Assistance Fund increased to 47.123 million tokens, with approximately 775.4 thousand newly burned in the past 30 days, valued at around $62.08 million. According to the official mechanism, the Assistance Fund automatically converts transaction fees allocated to it into HYPE, and HYPE within the fund is permanently removed from circulation and total supply.

    FAQs

    1. How much money flowed out of Bitcoin spot ETFs?

    Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded approximately $282.56 million in net outflows for the day. ARKB led withdrawals with $164.32 million, while MSBT recorded $3.98 million in inflows.

    2. When is Ethereum’s Glamsterdam upgrade expected on Sepolia?

    Ethereum developers have tentatively targeted October 6, 2026, at 13:53 UTC for Glamsterdam’s Sepolia activation. The schedule remains conditional on successful development-network testing.

    3. Why is Nasdaq investing $100 million in Kraken’s parent company?

    Nasdaq is investing in Payward as the companies work together on infrastructure for tokenized publicly listed equities. The partnership highlights growing integration between traditional capital markets and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

    4. What is Standard Chartered’s SKY token price target?

    Standard Chartered has reportedly set an end-2028 SKY price target of $0.325, around five times the stated current price of $0.065. The outlook is tied partly to USDS adoption and lending growth.

    5. How much revenue is Hyperliquid generating?

    Hyperliquid generated approximately $59.84 million in protocol revenue over the past 30 days, representing an 83.3% increase from the preceding period. Seven-day revenue stood at roughly $11.57 million.

  • Global Stock Markets Recap: How Major Indices Performed in 2026

    Global Stock Markets Recap: How Major Indices Performed in 2026

    Global stock markets in 2026 have experienced a dynamic year, with major indices reflecting diverse economic trends and sector-specific drivers. Here’s a concise overview of how the world’s top benchmarks have fared.

    S&P 500

    The S&P 500 continues to reflect the strength of leading U.S. companies, navigating market volatility while maintaining overall resilience. Investor confidence in corporate earnings and economic fundamentals has kept the index on a steady course.

    Nasdaq Composite

    Technology stocks remain key drivers of the Nasdaq’s performance throughout the year. Innovation in AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor sectors has fueled continued investor interest, though periodic pullbacks have occurred amid valuation concerns.

    Dow Jones

    The Dow Jones highlights steady performance from major industrial and blue-chip companies. Defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples have provided stability, while cyclical industrials have benefited from infrastructure spending.

    Nifty 50

    India’s benchmark index continues attracting global investors through strong economic growth. Favorable demographics, digital transformation, and policy reforms have supported the Nifty 50’s upward trajectory, making it one of the best-performing emerging market indices.

    Sensex

    The Sensex remains supported by banking, IT, and manufacturing sector gains. Robust domestic consumption, coupled with export growth in technology services, has underpinned the index’s performance.

    FTSE 100

    The UK’s FTSE 100 reflects energy, financial, and multinational company performance. High commodity prices have boosted energy stocks, while a weaker pound has benefited exporters listed on the index.

    Nikkei 225

    Japan’s Nikkei continues benefiting from technology exports and corporate reforms. The Tokyo Stock Exchange’s governance improvements and a weaker yen have enhanced the competitiveness of Japanese exporters.

    Hang Seng

    Hong Kong’s Hang Seng remains influenced by Chinese economic developments. Regulatory shifts in mainland China and geopolitical tensions have created headwinds, but the index has shown resilience in select sectors such as technology and healthcare.

    Stay informed on global market trends by following our updates.

  • Wall Street Hits Fresh Records as Strong Earnings and Easing Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Five-Day Rally

    Wall Street Hits Fresh Records as Strong Earnings and Easing Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Five-Day Rally

    Wall Street opened higher on Wednesday, reaching record highs as strong corporate earnings and easing geopolitical concerns in the Middle East buoyed investor sentiment. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both hit fresh intraday highs, extending a five-day rally.

    The S&P 500 rose 0.61% to 7,783.50 shortly after the opening bell. Meanwhile, the Dow advanced 450 points to 54,536.68, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.41% to 26,694.42.

    US Stocks Extend Five-Day Rally

    US stocks continued their five-session winning streak, which began with renewed demand for technology and consumer shares. All three major indexes are on track for their strongest five-day performance since April 2025. Over the past week, the S&P 500 has gained more than 6%, the Dow has risen over 5%, and the Nasdaq has climbed more than 9%. In the previous session, the S&P 500 closed above 7,700 for the first time, while the Dow gained more than 900 points and secured another record close.

    Market breadth remained positive during early trading. On the New York Stock Exchange, advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones by 1.26 to one, and the ratio on the Nasdaq was 1.13 to one.

    Disney and Eli Lilly Lead Major Stock Moves

    Disney shares rose 2.9% after the company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter profit, helping lift the Dow. Eli Lilly climbed 7.3% after beating second-quarter revenue and earnings estimates and raising its full-year revenue forecast. Healthcare led the S&P 500 sectors with a 1.9% gain.

    Arista Networks jumped 7.3% after forecasting third-quarter revenue above market estimates. Microsoft and Alphabet each gained about 1%, supporting the broader technology sector. However, Uber fell 5.5% after forecasting current-quarter adjusted earnings below estimates, and utilities lagged the broader market, losing nearly 1%.

    According to FactSet, more than 84% of S&P 500 companies have beaten earnings estimates this season, helping investors look past weaker economic data.

    SpaceX and AMD Fall as NVIDIA Rallies

    SpaceX shares dropped 12.5% following its first quarterly report since its June public listing. While the company nearly doubled revenue and narrowed operating losses, a sixfold increase in capital spending to $18.4 billion, largely for AI projects and infrastructure, raised concerns. Nic Puckrin, founder of Coin Bureau, described AI spending as “getting out of hand,” adding that companies showed “no signs of slowing down anytime soon.” AMD shares fell 6.5%, despite forecasting quarterly revenue above analyst estimates, as investors expected a stronger outlook after the stock had gained 142% this year.

    In contrast, NVIDIA rose 3.4% after Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX would use its processors for AI infrastructure. Musk called NVIDIA’s product “the best AI computer” during the earnings call.

    Hormuz Hopes Support Wall Street

    Oil prices held near recent levels as investors monitored talks involving Iran, Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose 1% to $80.22 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures gained 0.46% to $76.12. Prices rose after Houthi militants claimed an attack on a Saudi tanker in the Red Sea.

    Reuters reported that Iran and Oman were discussing a framework covering inbound ship traffic through Hormuz. However, regional sources questioned claims that an agreement was close. One source noted that “the concession has already been made regarding some form of control over Hormuz,” but other details still required negotiation.

    Jobs and Services Data Enter Focus

    US private employers added 44,000 jobs in July, according to ADP, below June’s 95,000 increase and the 75,000 forecast. Investors now await Friday’s official nonfarm payrolls report, which could affect expectations for Federal Reserve interest-rate policy in the coming months.

    Meanwhile, the ISM Services PMI reached 54.1 in July, compared with 54.0 in June, with a reading above 50 signaling expansion. The employment component fell to 47.4, its lowest level since March, while the prices index rose to 70.3, pointing to persistent service-sector inflation.

    Strong corporate earnings and easing geopolitical concerns have kept Wall Street’s record-breaking rally intact despite weak hiring data. Investors now look to Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, with earnings momentum and AI-driven growth remaining key drivers of market sentiment.

  • Global Stock Exchange Trading Hours: A Complete Guide to Major Markets

    Global Stock Exchange Trading Hours: A Complete Guide to Major Markets

    Stock market trading hours vary across countries because of different time zones, regulations, and market practices. Understanding these schedules is essential for investors who trade international stocks, monitor global market movements, or react to overnight economic developments. Knowing when major exchanges open and close helps traders plan investments, execute orders efficiently, and stay updated with global financial trends.

    New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq

    The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are the world’s largest stock exchanges by market capitalization. Both operate from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on weekdays. They also offer pre-market and after-hours trading sessions, allowing investors to react to earnings announcements, economic data, and breaking news outside regular trading hours.

    London Stock Exchange

    The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is Europe’s leading financial marketplace and operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It serves companies from around the world and is an important hub for international investors. The exchange also conducts opening and closing auctions that help determine fair market prices and improve trading efficiency.

    Indian Stock Exchanges

    India’s two primary exchanges—the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)—operate from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). A pre-opening session begins at 9:00 AM, allowing price discovery before regular trading starts. Both exchanges remain closed on weekends and designated public holidays announced by market regulators.

    Asian Market Trading Hours

    Asia is home to several influential stock exchanges. The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) trades from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM JST, with a lunch break between sessions. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) operates from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM HKT, also including a midday trading break, unlike most Western exchanges.

    How Time Zones Affect Global Investors

    Global investors often monitor multiple exchanges throughout the day because markets open sequentially across different regions. Asian markets begin trading first, followed by European exchanges and finally North American markets. This continuous cycle means economic events in one region can influence investor sentiment and stock prices in another before local markets even open.

    Choosing the Right Time to Trade

    Successful investing isn’t only about selecting the right stocks—it also involves understanding when markets are active. Higher trading volumes during opening and closing hours often create greater price movements and liquidity. By tracking global stock market timings, investors can better manage risk, seize opportunities, and make informed decisions across international financial markets.

  • Wall Street Hits New Highs as AI Stocks Surge and Oil Prices Slide

    Wall Street Hits New Highs as AI Stocks Surge and Oil Prices Slide

    The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reached record intraday levels on Tuesday, driven by strong earnings from AI-linked companies and optimism over potential US-Iran talks that pushed oil prices lower.

    The S&P 500 gained 0.58% to 7,644.56, its first intraday record since June. The Dow rose 647 points (1.22%) to 53,825.50, also hitting a new all-time high. The NASDAQ Composite added 1.16% to 26,213.57, supported by technology and semiconductor stocks. Wall Street has recovered from July losses, fueled by robust earnings from major tech firms like Amazon and Microsoft, which reinforced confidence in AI spending. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed about 4% as chip stocks rebounded.

    Palantir Technologies shares surged 17.4% after raising its annual revenue forecast, citing stronger demand for artificial intelligence services. CEO Alex Karp described the quarterly performance as “otherworldly” and linked growth to sovereign AI systems. Caterpillar shares rose 12% after reporting higher second-quarter profit and raising its annual revenue growth forecast, driven by demand from AI data center projects for power-generation equipment. The company also indicated tariff costs would be near the lower end of its earlier estimate.

    Oil prices fell as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled progress in talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating there was “a chance” of an agreement within two days. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped about 4% to near $76 per barrel, while Brent crude fell to around $80. The S&P 500 energy sector declined 2.5% as crude prices slid, but lower oil costs eased concerns about transport and production expenses for other industries.

    Corporate earnings have broadly exceeded expectations, with 85.2% of S&P 500 companies beating analyst estimates—well above the long-term average of 67.5%. Investors remain focused on whether AI spending can generate sustainable revenue. Eric Parnell, Chief Market Strategist at Great Valley Advisor Group, noted that while AI earnings have performed well, the key question is sustainability. Coherent gained 14% and Lumentum rose 7.8% on reports of potential US limits on Chinese data center components. McDonald’s added 1.2% despite weak results, while Pfizer fell about 1% after its quarterly report. US job openings dropped to 7.36 million in June, below forecasts. Advancing shares outnumbered decliners on both major exchanges, with the NYSE at a 1.36-to-1 ratio and NASDAQ at 2.04-to-1. Investors also awaited SpaceX’s first earnings report since its public listing.