Geopolitical Tensions, Fed Holds Rates, Chip Sector Surges Amid AI Deals & Major M&A

1. The US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 3.50%-3.75%, while US weekly jobless claims of 16,500 indicated a stable labor market.
2. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated with reports of a radar attack in Kuwait and Trump's threats to Iran, pushing the Dollar/Yen to a 38-year high and crude oil prices up nearly 3%.
3. The US chip sector saw sharp gains, fueled by a multi-billion dollar AI partnership between Microsoft and Mistral, alongside UTZ Brands soaring 89% following a $2.9 billion privatization deal.