AI growth

U.S. markets rallied, led by Big Tech, with Oracle and Microsoft gains lifting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The Dow Jones hit a record high. Asian markets, particularly Japan, also advanced, driven by stimulus hopes. Despite Big Tech’s recovery, concerns over capital expenditures persist, though Alphabet’s bond sale and ChatGPT’s growth suggest AI demand remains strong. Oil prices dipped slightly. Key developments include Taiwan’s semiconductor export challenges, geopolitical tensions, and maritime security advisories.

Japan’s election results under Prime Minister Takaichi have boosted equities to record highs, fueled by expectations of expansionary economic policies and a weaker yen. This optimism spilled over into U.S. markets, with tech stocks like Oracle and Microsoft surging, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbing. Despite Big Tech concerns about data center capacity, Alphabet plans a large bond offering, while AI growth, exemplified by ChatGPT’s expansion, offers a potential counter. Meanwhile, quantitative trading firms are capitalizing on gold and silver volatility.

OpenAI is experiencing renewed growth with ChatGPT, posting over 10% monthly user increases. This resurgence comes amidst intense competition, particularly from Anthropic, and a reported internal “code red” to boost performance. OpenAI is also focusing on its coding product, Codex, which shows strong usage growth and is presented as gaining market share. The company is preparing for a potentially massive $100 billion funding round, highlighting its user engagement and enterprise adoption to investors, while also planning to introduce clearly labeled ads within ChatGPT to diversify revenue.