Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, supported by expectations for artificial intelligence development, although the performance of major indices was mixed.
The regional MSCI Asia Pacific index rose by about 1%, led by semiconductor makers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0,6%, South Korea's Kospi rose 1,6%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0,8%, and Shanghai Composite added 0,7%. This wave of optimism reflected broad investor interest in technology sector companies ahead of key Nvidia earnings.
Amid the tense situation around the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices continue to be volatile. Brent fell to around $89,44 per barrel on Wednesday (down 2,67% in a day), while WTI traded near $84,95 per barrel. The situation in the strait remains complex: after the conflict that began in late February 2026 between the US, Israel, and Iran, thousands of ships have faced disruptions. Although Iran and Oman are negotiating peaceful management of the strait, through which about a quarter of global oil and gas trade passes, the path to full normalization of traffic remains difficult.
On Wall Street, US indices showed moderate gains: the S&P 500 added 0,3%, the Dow Jones rose the same amount, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq showed a more noticeable acceleration thanks to shares of artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies.
Investors are focused on Nvidia's earnings, which the company will release on Wednesday after the market close. Analysts expect revenue of $92-95 billion for the quarter, which would be nearly double the previous year and would confirm strong demand for AI infrastructure chips. Nvidia's results often serve as a barometer for the entire AI sector and influence overall market sentiment.
The moderate decline in oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz are temporarily easing inflation concerns, supporting risk appetite. However, the market remains highly sensitive: any changes in the dynamics of the Middle East conflict or in the volumes of maritime oil shipments could quickly reverse investor sentiment.
