Dow Jones| Nasdaq | US Stock Market Today | Live: US stocks muted as AI enthusiasm is checked by Middle East tensions

Emerging-market currencies advanced as easing geopolitical tensions and strong US labor market data lifted global risk appetite. High-beta currencies such as the South African rand and Mexican peso led gains, while Brazil’s real strengthened despite concerns over potential US tariffs. Optimism around a possible Middle East deal helped shift investor sentiment away from caution.

Markets were also supported by robust US economic indicators, including a rise in job openings and lower layoffs, reinforcing confidence in global growth. At the same time, equities extended their rally, with emerging-market stocks hitting record highs, driven largely by gains in Asian technology shares and continued momentum in the AI trade.

However, risks persist across emerging markets. Senegal’s dollar bonds plunged amid a deepening political crisis, highlighting vulnerability to domestic instability. Investors are also increasingly factoring geopolitical alignment, particularly ties with the US administration, into their assessment of sovereign risk, influencing flows into select emerging-market assets.