Tech Stocks Propel Global Markets as Iran Tensions Jostle Oil Prices

Tech equities continue to lift global markets while heightened Middle‑East tensions keep oil prices on a roller‑coaster.

Chip and AI Surge Sends Shockwaves Through Exchanges

■Nasdaq’s tech‑heavy index rose %1.3 to 26,206.89.

■Micron Technology jumped %4.5, citing "surging demand for memory in the AI era."

■AMD surged %5.7, reflecting strong chip demand.

■Marvell Technology and ON Semiconductor posted gains of %5 and %4.4, respectively.

Middle‑East Conflict Tightens Energy Flows

■Brent crude slipped %0.5 to $75.94 a barrel, still above the $72 level seen before the war.

■U.S. crude fell the same %0.5 to $71.71.

■Limited vessel capacity through the Strait of Hormuz sustains a perception of supply strain.

Asian Markets Move to Their Own Beats

■KOSPI rallied %2.5 to 7,475.94, recouping earlier losses.

■Nikkei 225 climbed %1.2 to 68,557.73; SoftBank Group surged %10.7.

■Hang Seng gained %0.6 to 24,175.12, while the Shanghai Composite slipped %1 to 3,996.16.

FX and Rate Markets React

■USD/JPY eased to 161.71, down from ¥162.37.

■The euro edged up to $1.1432.

■Japan’s push for pension funds to invest domestically bolstered the yen against the dollar.

■Key Takeaways:

- Tech stocks remain the primary engine for global equity gains.

■Iran‑U.S. tensions keep oil markets volatile.

■Asian exchanges display divergent performance based on regional dynamics.

■The yen’s strength reflects policy shifts toward domestic asset allocation.

Markets are simultaneously pricing in the durable growth narrative of the tech sector and the geopolitical risk premium on energy. Air freight and logistics operators should hedge against potential disruptions in Middle‑East energy routes while capitalizing on the expanding demand for chip‑related cargo, prompting longer‑term investments in capacity and risk‑management frameworks.