Markets Steady as U.S. Reopens: Gold Surges, AI Stocks Dominate and Oil Slips on Supply Jitters

Global markets entered Thursday on firmer footing after the official end of the U.S. government shutdown restored investor confidence. With rate-cut debates, AI-driven equity rallies, and mixed commodity movements, traders are recalibrating portfolios around renewed macro stability and sector-specific momentum.

Commodities: Gold Shines as Oil Slides

After a brief pullback, gold resumed its rally, climbing 0.5% as economic uncertainty persisted despite the U.S. government reopening. Investors continued to price in possible early-2026 rate cuts, while safe-haven flows kept demand firm.
In contrast, oil prices hit a three-week low, with WTI down 0.15% and Brent lower by 0.10%, pressured by oversupply fears. Analysts suggested the reopening had little immediate impact on energy demand, leaving the commodity range-bound until fresh inventory data arrives.

Equities: AI and Data Centers Lead Market Rotation

Equity markets are witnessing a quiet rotation from traditional tech to AI-linked infrastructure and mid-cap industrials. JPMorgan named Regal Rexnord (RRX), Valmont Industries (VMI), Gates Industrial (GTES), and Mirion Technologies (MIR) among its top picks benefiting from AI data center expansion and automation demand.
At the same time, AMD surged 9% after unveiling long-term revenue targets tied to next-generation chips, while Microsoft announced plans for a U.S. “AI super factory”, extending its semiconductor ambitions beyond software. These developments reinforced market conviction that AI will remain a structural growth driver through 2026.

Asia and Europe: Mixed Sentiment Amid Policy Clarity

Asian markets showed resilience, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 0.33% and Korea’s KOSPI gaining 0.63%, even as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped on tech profit-taking. UBS turned overweight on China, forecasting emerging-market outperformance in 2026, while trimming exposure to Thailand.
In Europe, major indices climbed modestly the FTSE 100 up 0.12% and Germany’s DAX up 1.22% supported by industrial gains and optimism over fiscal stability in the U.S.

Corporate Highlights: Pharma and Tech Grab Headlines

Healthcare and AI sectors dominated the corporate landscape. Eli Lilly rose 2.9% after reports it dropped CVS from its employee drug plan, signaling a shift toward direct distribution amid surging demand for its weight-loss drug.
Meanwhile, Google’s new EU probe over content ranking and Meta’s 30th data center build in Wisconsin underscored regulatory challenges coexisting with massive infrastructure investment in the AI race.

Summary

The global market mood has shifted from crisis control to cautious optimism. As gold holds firm, oil corrects, and AI-linked equities rise, traders are navigating a new phase of selective momentum.
For SGFX clients, this environment presents cross-asset opportunities from gold’s safe-haven potential to emerging trends in industrial automation and AI infrastructure. Staying agile with SGFX’s multi-asset platforms ensures every trade captures the momentum of today’s evolving markets.