Global markets stayed steady this week as strong earnings kept sentiment positive, even with geopolitical noise and rate worries in the background.
What moved markets
• U.S. markets gained as earnings surprised on the upside. S&P 500 +1.08%, Nasdaq +1.27% with ~84% companies beating estimates
• Europe was largely flat. Gains in energy offset caution around geopolitical risks
• Japan stayed volatile with yen swings and hints of policy tightening
• China held firm after outlook was revised to stable, while Hong Kong lagged
• India remained range-bound. Nifty dipped slightly as crude and currency kept investors cautious
Key company moves
• Alphabet +10%
Strong earnings led by cloud growth. Revenue +22% YoY with cloud up ~63%. AI driven enterprise demand is clearly accelerating
• Meta -10%
Good results but heavy AI spending spooked markets. Capex guidance raised sharply, raising concerns on cash flows
• Atlassian +30%
Big rally after strong earnings. Cloud +AI adoption driving growth and improving margins
Private markets spotlight
• Stripe rolled out 288 new features
Focus on AI agents, digital wallets, and blockchain payments
Push toward automated commerce where AI can transact on behalf of users
Why it matters
AI is clearly the central theme
Companies benefiting from AI demand are getting rewarded
But rising AI spending is also making investors question costs and profitability
To read more, click here: Vested Shorts: Alphabet up 10% on cloud strength, Meta down 10% on AI capex concerns, Atlassian up 30% on AI surge, Stripe unveils 288 AI-blockchain features for agent payments