🇬🇧 Stay ahead of the markets with Swissquote

European stocks are trading near fresh record highs, oil prices remain under pressure and AI enthusiasm continues to overshadow almost everything else. Yet beneath the surface, cracks are beginning to appear. Memory chip prices are squeezing hardware makers, Foxconn's blockbuster sales failed to excite investors, and SpaceX is about to join the Nasdaq 100 despite a valuation and governance structure that continue to divide Wall Street.
At the same time, the Federal Reserve remains hawkish, the US dollar is strengthening, and Japan's bond yields are quietly climbing to levels that were once considered capable of triggering a reverse carry trade....

Artificial intelligence has become the biggest engine of the market rally—but are the first cracks finally starting to appear: Meta's decision to commercialise its AI infrastructure and Oracle's warning that some customers may struggle to pay for the enormous computing capacity they have ordered have raised uncomfortable questions about whether the AI spending boom has gone too far. Chipmakers led a sharp selloff as investors began to wonder whether Big Tech could eventually slow its spending. Meanwhile, softer euro area inflation, lower oil prices and fresh comments from central bankers in Sintra provided a more reassuring macro backdrop. All eyes...

Artificial intelligence has become the biggest engine of the market rally—but are the first cracks finally starting to appear: Meta's decision to commercialise its AI infrastructure and Oracle's warning that some customers may struggle to pay for the enormous computing capacity they have ordered have raised uncomfortable questions about whether the AI spending boom has gone too far. Chipmakers led a sharp selloff as investors began to wonder whether Big Tech could eventually slow its spending. Meanwhile, softer euro area inflation, lower oil prices and fresh comments from central bankers in Sintra provided a more reassuring macro backdrop. All eyes...

Global markets have entered the second half of the year with remarkable momentum despite months of geopolitical tensions, an energy shock and rising bond yields. AI remains the dominant investment theme, with semiconductor stocks continuing to lead the rally while Big Tech faces growing scrutiny over the returns on massive AI spending.
Falling oil prices are helping ease inflation fears just as Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reinforces the Federal Reserve's renewed focus on price stability. Higher yields could challenge equity valuations, but strong earnings expectations and abundant liquidity continue to support risk appetite.
Meanwhile, the US dollar is regaining strength...