Tech shares rise in Asia, bonds scarred by central bank hawks as oil spikes

AI-related shares fared well in Asia on Thursday after a raft of generally positive ‌earnings reports, while surging oil prices left bonds battered as central banks turned more hawkish on inflation and interest rates. Investors feared the European Central Bank and Bank of England would likely warn of higher rates later in the day, after three Federal Reserve members voted to drop its easing bias in the most divided decision since 1992. Outgoing ​Chair Jerome Powell also confirmed he would stay on as a governor for now to defend the institution’s independence as his successor ​Kevin Warsh, hand-picked by President Donald Trump, who wants lower interest rates, moves toward confirmation.