U.S. equity futures edged higher this morning, extending a two‑day rally sparked by artificial‑intelligence stocks. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures pointed to further gains after the indices posted fresh record highs yesterday. Investor sentiment remained upbeat, with tech‑heavy buying driving the momentum across the board. Morning data showed the Dow Jones up 0.4%.

Across Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 5.6%, closing at an all‑time peak as SoftBank shares leapt 18%. The sharp rise mirrored a global tech‑buying spree, with investors chasing AI‑related earnings and growth stories. Currency moves stayed modest, allowing the Japanese market to outpace most European counterparts that day.

Oil prices slipped below the $100 a barrel mark as reports suggested the United States and Iran were inching toward renewed cease‑fire talks. Brent futures fell modestly, reflecting reduced war‑risk premiums, while broader commodity markets stayed largely unchanged. The dip eased pressure on energy‑heavy portfolios, giving investors breathing room after a week of tech‑driven rally.

With AI stocks sustaining the rally and energy prices easing, portfolio managers are rebalancing toward growth names while trimming exposure to volatile commodities. The dual thrust of tech optimism and diplomatic headwinds in the Middle East shapes short‑term trading strategies, making risk management a central theme for market participants today.