Japan’s Nikkei hit a record high for a third straight session, powered by a sudden surge in technology stocks. Even as the broader market slipped, tech shares tracked gains seen on Wall Street. SoftBank Group stood out with a notable jump in profits, though performance varied widely across individual companies.
Asian markets climbed to record highs as President Trump suggested meaningful progress in Iran negotiations, easing geopolitical fears. The mood lifted tech shares, with South Korea leading the gains, while Brent crude fell. U.S. stock futures also rose, as investors expect lower inflation pressures and continued economic strength, driven by improving sentiment and softer energy costs.
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Palantir Technologies has raised its annual revenue outlook after posting results that beat quarterly expectations. The company attributes the strength to rising demand for its data analytics platforms, driven by both US government buyers and commercial customers. With guidance climbing and performance outpacing estimates, investors will be watching whether the momentum extends beyond current contracts.
Japan’s Nikkei inched higher on Friday, buoyed by gains concentrated in a small group of technology stocks. At the same time, a stronger yen helped government bond prices bounce back, adding support to broader sentiment in Japanese markets. The move highlights how narrow sector strength and FX swings are driving near-term performance.
Samsung Electronics reported a record quarterly profit, attributing the jump to strong demand for AI-critical chip sales. The earnings helped lift South Korea’s Kospi, which opened above 6,700, extending momentum after both Samsung and major US tech players delivered upbeat results. Investors are now closely watching whether the AI-driven chip boom can sustain margins.
The Nasdaq Composite opened down more than 1% as investors cooled on the AI boom, leaving tech stocks under pressure. The trigger: reports that OpenAI missed user and revenue targets, which analysts say could strain plans to fund expensive data center expansion. The selloff made the Nasdaq lag the S&P 500 and Dow at the open.
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Nvidia’s stock is soaring to new highs as relentless demand for AI chips meets massive spending from big technology firms. The surge has pushed the company’s market value to about $5.2 trillion, fueled by rapid revenue growth and rising investor enthusiasm. Analysts expect momentum to continue, but competition and next-quarter earnings will decide whether Nvidia can sustain the rally as AI and cloud markets expand.
Equity mutual funds fell sharply, with some schemes dropping up to 7% in a single week. Technology-focused funds were hit hardest, losing roughly 3.14% to 7.17% as investors pared risk. Funds such as HDFC Technology Fund, Tata Digital India Fund, and ICICI Prudential Technology Fund saw notable declines during the latest downturn.
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