Global Markets Rise as Inflation Fears Subside

Global stock markets saw gains on Monday, marking a positive start to a week filled with key US economic updates. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 led the charge with a 2.4% rise, reaching a three-month high above 70,000 points before settling at 69,946.86. Investors were buoyed by easing inflation concerns, which reduced the likelihood of another rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

European markets showed mixed results. France's CAC 40 dropped 1.1% to 7,813.40, while Germany's DAX remained almost unchanged, edging up less than 0.1% to 25,242.92. The UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.5% to 10,511.80. Meanwhile, US futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.1%. In Asia, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained less than 0.1% to 8,686.40, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.3% to 24,040.34.

Shares related to artificial intelligence attracted significant attention. Tokyo Electron surged 5.5% in Japan, SoftBank Group gained 3%, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) climbed 3%. This week will bring crucial data on the US services sector, unemployment, and consumer sentiment. Last week's jobs report showed a slower hiring pace, easing inflation worries and reducing the chances of a Federal Reserve rate hike.

In energy trading, US crude fell 1.7% to USD 89.57 a barrel, and Brent crude declined 1.3% to USD 100.95. Oil prices have been volatile due to uncertainties surrounding the war with Iran. In currency trading, the US dollar weakened slightly against the Japanese yen and the euro.