Global shares mixed as chipmaker stocks rally in Tokyo and Seoul

Global stock markets experienced mixed trading on Monday, with Japanese and South Korean equities leading the gains due to increased interest in computer chip manufacturers. France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX saw minimal changes, while Britain's FTSE 100 and US shares were poised to decline. The Tokyo Nikkei 225 index rose 2.1% to 66,399.84, and South Korea's Kospi jumped 4.6% to 6,995.39, while Samsung Electronics shares surged 5.7% and SK Hynix memory chip company soared 8.1%.

Other notable gains included Renesas Electronics, Rohm, and Tokyo Electron. Stephen Innes, a former trader, attributed the Asian markets' strong performance to the "AI complex," emphasizing its continued growth potential compared to valuation concerns. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.9% to 25,413.12, and the Shanghai Composite advanced less than 0.1% to 3,932.70.

Australian shares showed a slight increase. Brent crude oil prices jumped 4 cents to $96.32 per barrel following heightened tensions between the US and Iran, while US crude oil fell 29 cents to $91.19 per barrel. The US dollar weakened to 155.95 yen, and the euro held steady at $1.1634. Market analysts emphasize the upcoming Federal Reserve rate hike decisions and the Bank of Japan's potential interest rate adjustments as key factors influencing future market movements.