The US stock markets showed mixed results on Wednesday. The Dow Jones closed 0.4 percent higher at 51,849 points, while the Nasdaq technology index, tracking the hundred most important stocks, retreated 0.4 percent to close at 29,220 points. The broader S&P 500 reflected the uncertainty, finishing slightly down by just 0.1 percent at 7,358 points.
Artificial intelligence remained a dominant theme on the US exchanges, though opinions were sharply divided. Debate centers on whether the current state represents an artificial bubble fueled by hype that does not justify the multi-billion dollar investments, or if the industry is merely at the beginning of a revolution where every dollar spent on new data centers-potentially even in space-will yield significant returns.
Attention was also focused on the Strait of Hormuz. In response to reports of new negotiations between the United States and Iran, oil prices dropped sharply. Brent crude, benchmarked to the North Sea, cost approximately $73.18 per barrel around 10 p.m. German time, which was a decrease of 390 cents (5.1 percent) compared to the closing price of the previous day.
The price of gold also fell significantly. In the evening, a fine ounce was traded for $3,995 (-2.8 percent), corresponding to a price of 113.13 euros per gram.
Finally, the European common currency was weaker on Wednesday evening. The Euro cost $1.1354, meaning the dollar was available for 0.8807 euros.
