Asian equities opened higher Monday as oil steadied after a 2.6% drop the previous session. Futures pointed to gains in South Korea, Sydney, Hong Kong and Tokyo, while U.S. tech giants pulled the S&P 500 down 0.4% and the Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.2%. Alphabet led megacap losses, underscoring lingering AI‑related volatility. Investors also watched the yen near 1986 lows, fearing intervention.

U.S. granted Iran a 60‑day license to sell oil, a move that could ease sanctions and fuel optimism around the stalled peace talks. Vice President JD Vance hailed the first round as “very, very good,” while Tehran officials dismissed the praise as inaccurate. The license hints at a shift in U.S. energy policy, nudging energy stocks.

SpaceX’s shares tumbled 16% after the company announced a bond issuance targeting at least $20 billion, part of a broader AI‑driven borrowing spree that has seen Alphabet, Amazon and others raise over $300 billion since November. The rocket firm’s debt move adds pressure on hyperscalers whose AI spend yields diminishing returns, according to analysts. The funding targets new launch vehicles and satellite constellations, raising cash‑flow concerns.