Global Stocks Extend Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Tech - Asia Market Wrap

Global equities advanced as fresh AI developments reinforced expectations for continued investment and stronger semiconductor demand. MSCI’s All Country World Index rose for a fourth day to a two-week high, while Asian shares gained 0.7% for a fifth straight session. Samsung and SK Hynix climbed alongside Monday’s Wall Street rally, which was driven partly by Meta’s new AI agent. Sentiment improved further after Alibaba unveiled a new AI chip designed to compete with Nvidia, while Tencent launched its latest image-generation model. European equity futures pointed higher, while S&P 500 futures were little changed and Nasdaq 100 contracts edged up 0.1%. Brent rose 1.4% to around $101.70 a barrel after four consecutive declines. Bitcoin pulled back after surging more than 7% to above $87,000 on Monday as investors moved back into riskier assets. Middle East developments remained in focus as traders assessed diplomacy and higher Saudi exports. Saudi crude loadings from the Persian Gulf jumped over the weekend, with the number of ships at the country’s main Gulf port reaching the highest since June.