Global Market Wrap: Asia Stocks Rise As Iran Talks Hopes Lift Sentiment, Gold Falls, Oil Mixed

We are back with quick updates about global stock markets and major developments across some of the top companies worldwide.

Asia-Pacific markets opened higher on Wednesday, following overnight gains on Wall Street, as growing hopes of a diplomatic resolution to the Middle East conflict lifted investor sentiment.

South Korea’s Kospi rose 2.0% to 6,087, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.4% to 58,132. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.07% to 8,976. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced 0.5% to 26,017, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.2% to 5,021.

Wall Street indexes rallied overnight, supported by renewed optimism over potential US-Iran talks and a boost from corporate earnings. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to close at 6,967, moving closer to its all-time high of 7,002 set on January 28. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.9% to 23,639, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6% to finish at 48,535.

European stocks, meanwhile, are reportedly expected to open mixed, as investors weigh developments in the US-Iran war and the possibility of renewed peace talks.

Oil prices were mixed on Wednesday, as hopes of renewed U.S.-Iran talks raised expectations of supply returning from the Middle East following the Strait of Hormuz disruption. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for May delivery fell 0.34% to $90.97 per barrel, while the international benchmark Brent for June delivery was up 0.33% to $95.10 per barrel.

Gold prices fell on Wednesday after hitting a one-month high earlier in the session, as the dollar strengthened and renewed hopes of US-Iran peace talks reduced safe-haven demand. Spot gold fell 0.35% to $4,823 per ounce, after touching its highest level since March 18. Similarly, US gold futures for June delivery declined 0.01% to $4,849. Spot silver, meanwhile, gained 0.38% to $79.85 per ounce.

Gold prices eased slightly in Dubai on Wednesday morning after rising nearly Dh8 per gram over the past 24 hours. The price of 24K gold stood at Dh581.5 per gram at the open, compared with Dh573.5 per gram on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, 22K, 21K, 18K and 14K gold were priced at Dh535.5, Dh516.25, Dh442.5 and Dh345.25 per gram, respectively.

Here’s a look at some of the important developments across the global markets:

Amazon to buy Globalstar in $11.57-billion deal to take on Elon Musk’s Starlink

Amazon is buying satellite firm Globalstar in a $11.57-billion deal, as it looks to expand its satellite business and compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The deal adds Globalstar’s two dozen satellites to Amazon’s existing network of more than 200. The company is working to scale up its low-Earth orbit constellation, with plans to deploy about 3,200 satellites by 2029, and begin satellite internet services later this year. Amazon said the acquisition will support its plans to roll out direct-to-device services from 2028. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, already has a much larger presence, with over nine million users globally and an expanding satellite network.

Tesla rises after UBS upgrade on valuation

Shares of Tesla rose 2.2% after market open on April 14 as UBS upgraded the stock to “Neutral” from “Sell,” citing a more balanced risk-reward following a recent decline. The brokerage kept its price target unchanged at $352. Shares of the EV maker ended the session 3.34% higher. UBS said current valuations better reflect near-term demand challenges and a period of elevated investment, alongside Tesla’s longer-term prospects in physical AI. The stock has fallen more than 21% so far in 2026. Weak EV demand, higher costs, increased capital spending and slower progress in its robo-taxi and Optimus programmes have weighed on sentiment. UBS said the stock is likely to remain volatile, driven largely by sentiment and momentum, but maintained that Tesla remains a leader in emerging AI-driven technologies.

Goldman Sachs files for first bitcoin ETF product

Goldman Sachs’ asset management division has filed for its first bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), according to a submission to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The proposed fund will offer exposure to bitcoin’s price and aims to generate additional income through options-based strategies tied to the cryptocurrency. The filing comes days after Morgan Stanley launched its own spot bitcoin ETF, marking rising competition among large financial institutions in the crypto space. The product is Goldman’s first ETF filing since it completed its $2-billion acquisition of Innovator Capital Management earlier this month.

Meta expands custom chip tie-up with Broadcom amid AI push

Meta has extended its partnership with chip designer Broadcom to develop multiple generations of custom AI chips, as it looks to expand computing capacity for its artificial intelligence initiatives. The agreement runs through 2029 and includes an initial commitment of more than one gigawatt of computing capacity. The companies said this would be enough to power around 750,000 US homes. The move comes as major technology firms, including Google and Amazon, increase investments in in-house chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia for AI workloads.

Amazon expands into AI-driven drug development with new tool

Amazon has launched an artificial intelligence tool aimed at speeding up early-stage drug discovery. The application, called Amazon Bio Discovery, allows researchers to run complex computational workflows without writing code. It provides access to a library of biological models that can generate and assess potential drug molecules. The platform also includes an AI assistant to help users choose models, set parameters and interpret results. Researchers can send shortlisted drug candidates to partner labs for testing, with the results fed back into the system to refine further development.

Nvidia gains 18% in 10 days, marks logs longest rally since 2023

Shares of Nvidia have risen for 10 straight sessions, gaining more than 18% over the period, marking the company’s longest winning streak since 2023 The stock ended the session on April 14 up 3.8% at $196.51, though it remains about 8% below its October all-time high of $212.19, adjusted for a 2024 stock split. The rally comes amid strong demand for AI chips, with major technology companies including Meta, Amazon, Google and Microsoft continuing to invest heavily in Nvidia’s hardware. The company also recently denied reports of potential acquisitions in the PC space and announced a new set of open-source models aimed at advancing quantum computing.

OpenAI launches cybersecurity-focused GPT-5.4-Cyber after Anthropic’s AI model push

OpenAI has launched GPT-5.4-Cyber, a version of its latest model tailored for defensive cybersecurity applications. The launch comes days after Anthropic announced its own model, Mythos, as part of a controlled cybersecurity initiative. OpenAI said GPT-5.4-Cyber will initially be made available on a limited basis to vetted security firms, organisations and researchers, citing the model’s more permissive design.

Anthropic draws VC interest at up to $800-billion valuation ahead of potential IPO

Anthropic has received multiple investment offers from venture capital firms at valuations of up to $800 billion, more than double its recent valuation. The interest comes as the company prepares for a potential IPO later this year, reflecting strong demand for leading AI firms. Anthropic was valued at $380 billion in a February funding round led by GIC and Coatue. Secondary market estimates have also risen sharply in recent months.

Crypto exchange Kraken files confidentially for US IPO

Crypto exchange Kraken said it has confidentially filed for a US initial public offering, even as its valuation has declined sharply. The company’s valuation has dropped to about $13.3 billion from $20 billion in November, a fall of more than $6 billion. The move comes weeks after Kraken paused its IPO plans amid a broader downturn in the crypto market, which saw Bitcoin trade well below its October peak. Meanwhile, Deutsche Borse Group has committed to invest $200 million in Kraken for a 1.5% fully diluted stake, implying a valuation of $13.3 billion. In November, the company had raised $800 million at a $20 billion valuation.

Korean chip startup DEEPX DEEPX, Hyundai expand partnership on AI-powered robots

South Korean AI chip startup DEEPX is expanding its partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to develop a computing platform for generative AI-powered robots. The platform will use DEEPX’s second-generation low-power chips, as the company prepares for a potential IPO. DEEPX develops neural processing units that allow devices such as robots and vehicles to run AI tasks without relying on external connectivity. Its chips are already being used in Hyundai’s delivery robots.

Singapore bonds outperform US Treasuries on haven demand

Singapore government bonds are extending their outperformance over US Treasuries, with the gap reaching its widest level since 2007. The move is being driven by lower local borrowing costs and rising demand for safe-haven assets. Recent monetary tightening by the Monetary Authority of Singapore has also supported inflows into local debt. Singapore’s two-year bond yields fell below US equivalents by as much as 243 basis points in March, highlighting a growing divergence between the two markets.