US markets hit fresh records as tech surge masks underlying divergence​

​​​Alphabet earnings drive tech sector rally

​The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 closed at fresh record highs yesterday, with Alphabet's impressive quarterly results serving as the primary catalyst. The search giant's strong performance reinforced investor confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) investments, driving broader enthusiasm across the technology sector.

​Microsoft, Nvidia and Amazon all posted solid gains as traders continued to back AI-related plays. This renewed optimism in growth stocks highlights how earnings quality remains the key driver of market sentiment, particularly in the technology space.

​The tech rally demonstrates the market's ongoing appetite for companies positioned to benefit from the AI revolution. Investors appear willing to pay premium valuations for firms with clear AI strategies and revenue streams.

​Dow struggles as individual names weigh heavily

​The Dow Jones painted a starkly different picture, declining 0.7% as heavyweight components faced significant pressure. Tesla's dramatic 8.2% tumble came after management warned investors to expect challenging quarters ahead, highlighting the electric vehicle maker's ongoing operational difficulties.

​IBM's nearly 8% drop reflected disappointing software sales figures, underlining the challenges facing traditional technology companies. These individual stock movements demonstrate how earnings quality varies significantly across different market segments.

​Trade optimism provides underlying market support

​Progress on trade negotiations provided a supportive backdrop for risk assets despite mixed individual performances. A developing US-Japan deal and encouraging signals regarding EU negotiations helped underpin broader market sentiment throughout the session.

​Investors are now focusing attention on next week's deadline regarding potential further tariffs. Any positive developments in trade discussions could provide additional momentum for risk assets, particularly those sensitive to global trade flows.

​The optimism around trade talks comes at a crucial juncture for markets. With various policy measures under consideration, traders are carefully weighing potential economic impacts across different sectors and geographies.

​This backdrop of cautious optimism has helped offset concerns emerging from mixed economic data. However, the sustainability of this support depends largely on concrete progress rather than merely hopeful rhetoric from negotiators.

​Federal Reserve independence concerns emerge

​President Trump's rare visit to the Federal Reserve (Fed) sparked immediate concerns about potential political interference in monetary policy decisions. While markets still expect rates to remain unchanged at next week's meeting, the appearance has introduced additional uncertainty into policy discussions.

​The visit highlights ongoing tensions between political and monetary authorities. Independent central bank decision-making has long been considered crucial for maintaining market confidence and economic stability.

​The Fed's ability to maintain independence will likely remain a key market focus. Any perceived political pressure could undermine confidence in monetary policy effectiveness and market stability.

​Mixed economic signals complicate outlook

​Recent US economic indicators have presented a complex picture for market participants. Jobless claims fell sharply while business activity showed encouraging signs of improvement, suggesting underlying economic resilience remains intact.

​However, companies have been raising prices across various sectors, pointing to mounting inflationary pressures. Some of these pressures appear linked to tariff policies, creating a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses.

​The combination of strong employment data and rising prices creates a complicated scenario for policymakers. Balancing growth support with inflation control requires careful navigation of competing economic forces.

​Asian markets retreat following recent gains

​Asian equity markets pulled back after their recent strong performance, with investors taking profits ahead of key central bank meetings. The Nikkei 225 and Hang Seng both declined as traders locked in gains from previous sessions.

​This profit-taking behaviour reflects typical market dynamics following extended rallies. Investors often reduce risk exposure before major policy announcements or economic data releases.

​The US dollar strengthened against major trading partners, while gold prices edged lower. Oil prices rose on hopes of stronger global demand, providing some support to energy-related investments.