AI Boom and Geopolitical Challenges Steer Stock Market Course

Stocks surged on Thursday, driven by the fervor surrounding artificial intelligence, even as investors weighed the risks of increased interest rates. At a high-stakes summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping reported progress in trade talks but little else of note.

European and U.S. stock futures indicated a robust open, although China's blue-chip stocks dipped after initially reaching new heights. Investors seemed reassured by the lack of negative surprises, amid the ongoing AI momentum in the market.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions over the Iran war continue to affect energy prices, causing analysts to warn that inflationary pressures could resurface. Despite this backdrop, AI-related stocks remained buoyant, exemplified by SK Hynix's near trillion-dollar market capitalization.

(With inputs from agencies.)