Morning brief: Asian stocks rise on AI boost; Mitsubishi seals US gas deal

Global markets and geopolitics set the tone on Friday, with Asian equities advancing on renewed optimism surrounding artificial intelligence, the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. striking a landmark US shale acquisition, and US President Donald Trump making headlines regarding Venezuela and Gaza.

Asian markets advance as AI optimism returns

Asian stocks moved higher on Friday as the artificial intelligence trade regained momentum, while the US dollar hovered near a six-week high following strong US economic data that led traders to scale back expectations for interest rate cuts.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.68% and hovered near a record high hit in the previous session.

Gains were driven in part by strong results from Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, which helped revive confidence in AI-linked stocks.

Overnight, Wall Street closed higher, with Nasdaq futures up 0.44% and S&P 500 futures adding 0.31% in Asian trading.

“We know there’s lingering doubts about the spend around capex and AI more broadly, and I guess with the TSMC report yesterday being pretty solid and sounding optimistic, it certainly provided a much-needed shot in the arm for those AI names which have been struggling on Wall Street in recent months,” said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in a Reuters report.

Japan’s Nikkei was down 0.04%, weighed down partly by a firmer yen, while European equity futures edged lower after record highs the previous session.

In currencies, the dollar stood near 99.31 against a basket of peers, supported by data showing US jobless claims unexpectedly fell.

Mitsubishi to buy Aethon’s US gas assets

Mitsubishi Corp. agreed to acquire Aethon Energy Management LLC’s US natural gas production and pipeline assets for $5.2 billion, valuing the deal at about $7.5 billion including debt.

It is the largest purchase ever by a Japanese company in the US shale sector.

The transaction involves Aethon III LLC, Aethon United LP, and related entities.

Mitsubishi will pay $5.2 billion for equity interests and assume $2.33 billion of net interest-bearing debt, while Aethon retains the right to buy back up to 25% of certain assets.

“The US gas market is the world’s largest in domestic demand, production, and exports, and further demand growth is expected, driven by rising power needs from AI/data centers,” Mitsubishi said.

The assets are concentrated in the Haynesville shale basin in eastern Texas and northern Louisiana, near major LNG export terminals.

Shares in Mitsubishi fell 2% following the announcement.

Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on Thursday, a move confirmed by a White House official, who said Trump intends to keep the medal.

In a social media post, Trump wrote: “Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you Maria!”

Machado said the gift recognized what she described as his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.

Machado’s outreach to Trump followed his rejection of proposals to install her as Venezuela’s leader in place of the ousted Nicolás Maduro.

Trump had publicly lobbied for the award ahead of last month’s decision and later expressed strong dissatisfaction after being passed over.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has said the prize itself cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked.

Trump backs transitional Palestinian panel in Gaza

Trump also said he supports a newly appointed “Palestinian Technocratic Government” to govern Gaza during a fragile ceasefire period that began in October.

“I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board’s High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition,” Trump said.

He added that the international “Board of Peace,” which he chairs, would oversee the process, as mediators work to navigate ceasefire challenges, disarmament, and future governance amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas approved Trump’s plan in October, under which a Palestinian technocratic authority would operate under the oversight of an international “Board of Peace,” tasked with supervising Gaza’s administration during a transitional phase.

As efforts move forward into the second stage of the ceasefire, Washington and its mediation partners face complex issues, including the disarmament of Hamas, additional Israeli withdrawals linked to that process, and the potential deployment of an international peacekeeping force.

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