Asian Shares Rise on Chip Rally as Oil Surge Revives Inflation Fears

Asian equity markets moved higher on Thursday as a rebound in semiconductor stocks helped offset mounting concern over a sharp rise in oil prices and renewed hostilities in the Gulf. The split market mood captured the competing forces shaping global trading: investors continued to chase artificial intelligence and chip-related growth, while energy markets priced in a fresh geopolitical risk premium. Brent crude hovered near $78.65 a barrel after briefly moving above $80, according to Reuters, leaving the benchmark roughly 9% higher for the week. Chip stocks lift regional markets The MSCI Asia-Pacific index gained about 0.8%, with Japan’s Nikkei rising 2.3%. South Korea’s KOSPI also surged in early trading as major semiconductor names rebounded. The move followed renewed optimism around the global chip cycle and reports that China could be permitted limited purchases of certain artificial intelligence chips. In the United States, Nvidia shares rose 3.6% in the previous session, helping restore some confidence in a technology sector that has recently faced valuation pressure. Demand for semiconductor listings also remained strong, with investor appetite for chip-related offerings…