Global Markets | Japan's Nikkei posts sharpest weekly gain in nearly two years on AI shares rally

Japan's Nikkei posted its sharpest weekly gain in nearly two years, rising 7.9 percent, driven by optimism around AI-related shares and consecutive record highs. Chip-related stocks like Advantest and Kioxia surged, while fibre-optic cable maker Fujikura jumped 15.69 percent after raising its annual net profit forecast to 229 billion yen. Geopolitical uncertainty around US-Iran negotiations and profit-booking ahead of the US market closure capped gains on the final trading day.