The global stock markets are on a tear. Wall Street is leading the charge after the US and China announced a 90-day trade truce. This deal freezes hundreds of billions in tariffs, bringing relief to investors and businesses worldwide. The S&P 500, NASDAQ, and DOW Jones all closed higher as optimism returned to the markets.
NVIDIA and Apple were the biggest winners. Tech stocks surged, and traders piled back in after weeks of fear-driven selling. The NASDAQ logged its fifth straight day of gains. The S&P 500 turned positive for the year. Even the DOW Jones, dragged slightly by UnitedHealth, held onto weekly gains.
NVIDIA and Apple Win Big in the Trade Truce
The stars of this rally are clear. NVIDIA gained over 5% after news broke that it will send 18,000 high-end AI chips to Saudi Arabia. This move comes as part of a broader strategy tied to US foreign policy and tech exports. The truce with China also lifts pressure off chipmakers, which had been at the center of tariff threats.
Beyond the headline deal, NVIDIA is benefiting from a global AI spending boom. Analysts call it a “dream scenario” — easing trade friction, rising chip demand, and a first-mover advantage in AI hardware. CEO Jensen Huang is currently in Saudi Arabia, signaling deeper geopolitical ties that could translate into more deals and influence. There’s concern that some of these chips might reach China indirectly, but for now, markets are focused on the upside.
Apple, meanwhile, saw a four-day streak of gains. Earlier this year, the company warned it might lose nearly $1 billion from tariffs. Now, that risk looks smaller. Analysts call the $900 million impact a “rounding error” for the $3 trillion giant. That’s Wall Street code for: it doesn’t matter.
Apple also stands to gain if the trade truce leads to fewer disruptions in its China-based supply chain. Investors are betting that even if tariffs stay, the worst-case scenario is off the table.
Stock Markets in Asia React With Caution, Then Follow Through
At first, Asia’s stock markets reacted cautiously. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped after a hot streak. Australia stayed flat. But as the day moved on, confidence grew. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.7%, and China’s CSI 300 rose 1.1%. Even South Korea’s Kospi saw a healthy gain.
Investors in the region are weighing short-term relief against long-term uncertainty. The truce is temporary. Some chip export controls remain, especially those targeting China. But for now, markets are pricing in stability. That’s a big change from just a week ago.
Still, concerns linger. Analysts warn that supply chains may still shift away from China, regardless of tariffs. That’s a big issue for tech firms and global logistics. But for the moment, the outlook has improved.
European Stock Markets Trim Gains Despite Wall Street’s Rally
European stock markets aren’t celebrating quite as loudly. The Stoxx 600 opened lower, after a four-day run. Futures for Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and the UK’s FTSE 100 all pointed slightly down on Wednesday. Traders are pausing to see if this trade truce has staying power.
Monday’s rally was big—up over 1% in some indices—but Europe is dealing with its own uncertainties. Earnings season continues, and there’s skepticism about how quickly tariffs will actually come down. Some banks expect long, complex negotiations between the US and China.
Still, the sentiment has improved. The S&P 500 hitting new highs and the NASDAQ on a winning streak sends a strong signal. If Wall Street keeps climbing, Europe may follow again.
Wall Street Bets on Tech as Stock Markets Rebound
In the end, Wall Street is betting on a future fueled by tech and less friction with China. The big indexes—S&P 500, NASDAQ, and DOW Jones—are reflecting that belief. NVIDIA is flying on AI hopes and looser export rules. Apple is shrugging off tariff fears like they were never real.
Yes, the deal is short-term. Yes, more negotiations lie ahead. But the message is clear: markets hate uncertainty. And this truce brought just enough clarity to ignite a rally.
As the dust settles, the global stock markets will keep watching Beijing and Washington. For now, the bulls are back. And the biggest tech names are leading the charge.