United States markets react to AI spending surge and EU‑Iran diplomatic talks

Investment in artificial intelligence now accounts for more than a quarter of United States gross domestic product growth, the largest contribution on record. The spending, which includes software, IT equipment, research and development and data‑center construction, totals about 8 % of GDP. Major technology firms project roughly $700 billion in capital expenditures this year, with an additional $200 billion earmarked for data‑center capacity. Economists dispute the exact impact, with some estimates suggesting a net contribution nearer 20‑25 % of growth.

At the same time, equity markets in the United States showed mixed movement. The Nasdaq slipped 0.04 %, the Dow Jones rose 0.28 % to 52,640.38 points and the S&P 500 edged up 0.03 % to 7,544.19 points as investors weighed the potential for diplomatic negotiations between the EU and Iran. European indexes fell, with Germany’s DAX down 0.38 % and France’s CAC 40 down 0.13 %, while Spain’s IBEX 35 and the UK’s FTSE 100 posted modest gains. In Mexico, major indexes rose about 0.9 %. Oil prices slipped, with West Texas Intermediate at $71.52 per barrel and Brent at $76.05 per barrel.