Artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks climbed sharply this week, outpacing the broader market.
Investors poured money into chipmakers tied to AI development, extending a rally that began earlier this year.
Nvidia and other hardware suppliers led the gains as demand for specialized processors continues to surge.
The surge reflects growing confidence that AI infrastructure spending will remain strong through the next several quarters.
Meanwhile, Paramount Global reached a settlement in a long-running legal dispute, removing a cloud over the media company.
The terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, but the resolution ends months of uncertainty for shareholders.
Crude oil prices fell again, pressured by softer demand forecasts and rising inventories.
The drop in energy prices offered some relief to transportation and manufacturing sectors.
Analysts say the diverging moves in tech and energy reflect shifting expectations for economic growth.
Chip stocks remain volatile, but the broader trend points to sustained interest in AI-related hardware.
Markets now await upcoming earnings reports for further direction on both AI spending and media consolidation.
The combined moves left major indexes mixed, with tech gains offsetting weakness in energy shares.
