Global equities rebounded on Wednesday, led by a strong recovery in technology shares and resilient U.S. labor data, while the dollar held near a five-month high as investors favored stability amid ongoing volatility.
On Wall Street, the Nasdaq gained 1.15 percent and the S&P 500 advanced 0.77 percent after several sessions of steep declines. The recovery was driven by renewed strength in semiconductor and AI-related shares, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbing nearly 4 percent. Advanced Micro Devices led the rally, rising over 3 percent after its upbeat earnings outlook lifted sentiment across the tech sector.
Fresh labor market data added momentum. The ADP report showed private U.S. payrolls rising by 42,000 in October, exceeding expectations of 28,000. The figures eased fears of a broader slowdown and reinforced views that the economy remains resilient despite the prolonged government shutdown.
Asian markets also steadied after sharp losses earlier in the week. Japan’s Nikkei closed 3 percent lower after recovering from a 7 percent early plunge, while South Korea’s KOSPI trimmed its losses to 2.9 percent. European markets followed with cautious optimism, led by modest gains in Germany’s DAX and the pan-European STOXX 600 index.
In currency markets, the dollar held firm around 100.20 on the index, trading near 154.08 yen and $1.1484 against the euro. Analysts said the greenback remains well-supported as the Federal Reserve adopts a wait-and-see approach on future rate changes. The 10-year Treasury yield rose toward 4.1 percent after the labor data underscored the U.S. economy’s strength.
Commodities were mixed. Gold steadied near $3,960 per ounce, while oil prices remained subdued, with Brent crude hovering close to $79 a barrel. Bitcoin rebounded 4 percent to trade above $104,000, recovering from a multi-day sell-off.
Market analysts noted that the rebound, while encouraging, reflects short-term bargain hunting rather than a full return of risk appetite. High valuations, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty over central-bank policy continue to weigh on investor confidence. For now, the dollar’s resilience and rising bond yields signal that safety and liquidity remain investors’ top priorities amid the fragile global outlook.
