World Shares Advance as Oil Prices Ease

Global markets rallied early in the week as easing oil prices and bond yields, reduced inflation concerns and optimism about AI-driven earnings lifted stocks, with U.S. indexes reaching records and Japan’s Nikkei surging. Investors also looked ahead to U.S. economic data and third-quarter corporate results, which analysts expect to show strong earnings growth. The mood reversed on Wednesday as renewed Middle East tensions pushed oil toward or above $100 a barrel, while worries about France’s debt and political uncertainty weighed on European bonds and the euro. U.S., European and global stock indexes retreated, although analysts said resilient corporate earnings expectations continued to support equities.