AI Deals Ignite Global Market Rally as Nvidia Hits $4 Trillion and Hitachi Soars 9%

AI at the Center of the Market Boom

Global stock markets are in the middle of a rally unlike anything seen in recent years — and the trigger is clear: artificial intelligence.

Companies across the world are pouring billions into AI projects, fueling a wave of investor enthusiasm. The hype has driven valuations of the biggest names to staggering levels, with Nvidia surging past $4 trillion in market value. The momentum has spilled into Asia and beyond, lifting markets to fresh records and confirming AI’s place as the new engine of global finance.

Chip Deals Light the Spark

This week alone has seen announcements that jolted tech stocks higher:

-Samsung and SK hynix, South Korea’s semiconductor heavyweights, revealed a preliminary deal to supply chips to OpenAI’s Stargate project.

-Hitachi unveiled a strategic partnership with OpenAI, focusing on AI integration in energy and industrial sectors.

The reaction was instant. Hitachi stock jumped over 9%, while Renesas rose similarly, Sony gained nearly 3%, Advantest advanced 3%, and SoftBank added more than 3%.

The surge carried Tokyo’s Nikkei sharply higher, while other Asian markets — including Sydney, Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta, and Manila — also posted gains. Hong Kong cooled slightly after a strong three-day run, while Singapore edged lower. Shanghai remained closed for a holiday.

Wall Street Riding the Same Wave

The AI surge mirrors what’s happening in the US. On Thursday, all three major Wall Street indices hit fresh all-time highs.

Investors have been betting heavily on tech giants, not just because of AI growth but also because of Federal Reserve policy. Recent US data shows a cooling labor market, convincing the Fed to cut interest rates with signals of further cuts this month. Lower borrowing costs fuel risk appetite, and markets have been quick to price that in.

Shutdown in Washington, But Markets Unfazed

Ordinarily, a partial US government shutdown would spook traders. Services have been suspended and the release of crucial non-farm payrolls (NFP) data delayed. Yet the mood remains bullish.

Analysts estimate the shutdown could shave $15–$20 billion off GDP, but they expect the hit to be temporary and recoverable. The real market risk, they caution, lies in President Donald Trump’s warning that some government jobs may be permanently furloughed, potentially turning a fiscal standoff into a broader economic shock.

Still, expectations remain that the shutdown will end before the Fed’s October 29 policy meeting, ensuring the release of jobs and inflation reports that guide rate decisions. A Senate vote is expected on a stopgap funding measure to extend government operations through November 21.

Corporate Headlines Beyond AI

Away from the tech surge, Japanese beer giant Asahi grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons. A cyber attack forced the brewer to halt production at some factories after its ordering and delivery system was crippled. The company has not disclosed when operations will resume, raising concerns over cyber risks in critical industries.