In the United States, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite traded higher for much of the session, supported by continued strength in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks. Investors remain focused on companies tied to AI infrastructure, with chipmakers once again at the center of market momentum.
Memory and GPU-related names extended recent gains as expectations for sustained data-centre investment continued to drive bullish sentiment across the tech sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged behind, trading near flat as gains in industrials were offset by weakness in defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples. Market breadth remained moderately positive, though leadership was clearly concentrated in growth and technology stocks.
Energy markets also played a major role in shaping sentiment. Oil prices were volatile throughout the session as traders monitored geopolitical developments in the Middle East and ongoing uncertainty around supply routes. This added to inflation concerns but also supported selective strength in U.S. energy producers, which remained relatively firm compared to broader commodities.
