Stocks mixed as traders assess AI rally, US rates and shutdown | Business

HONG KONG, Oct 9, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the ongoing US government shutdown. News that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire provided some relief from geopolitical concerns -- and weighed on oil prices -- while gold retreated the day after hitting an all-tine high above $4,000. Technology firms have been riding to ever-higher levels this year -- dragging equity markets with them as companies pump hundreds of billions of dollars into all things linked to AI. But there is a growing concern that the returns might not match the investment sums, leading...