With long-term U.S. and Japanese interest rates rising, the article reports expectations that AI semiconductor stocks will continue to attract buying. Micron Technology's earnings announcement is due this week, making the performance of AI stocks and the direction of long-term interest rates key market focuses.
Oil prices fell after the holiday weekend, while the market remained firm, led by AI and bank stocks. This week will bring a succession of important U.S. economic indicators, including the September employment report and PCE deflator. Depending on the results, movements in long-term interest rates could affect stock prices.
The focus this week is Micron Technology's earnings announcement. Continued investment in AI data centers is expected, while the results could strengthen confidence in buying AI stocks. Attention is also focused on the popularity of META's AI applications and the performance of related stocks such as ARM.
Long-term interest rates have risen to the 5.2% range in the United States and approximately 3.1% in Japan, with stronger inflation indicators expected to trigger further rate increases. There are also forecasts that growth in the August PCE deflator will accelerate, making future interest-rate movements a source of tension for stock prices.
The Nikkei 225 remains firm from the end of last week, but gains are expected to be capped depending on movements in U.S. long-term interest rates. Individual stocks attracting attention include Ibiden, Kioxia Holdings and Micron, with MU's earnings announcement potentially determining the outlook for AI-related stocks.