Asian shares rise on AI optimism as oil prices fall

Asian shares mostly rose Wednesday as oil prices fell and AI optimism boosted markets, with Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 0.6% to 66,227.55. Investors monitored talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, shut down due to the Iran war. US crude dropped $2.06 to $80.30 a barrel, while Brent fell $2.31 to $86.27, aiding oil-importing nations like Japan. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.6%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.8%, and the Shanghai Composite rose 0.7%, though Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.2%. Nvidia rose 2.2% ahead of its earnings report, leading AI stocks on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 gained 24.42 points to 7,677.28. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.63%, and the dollar slipped to 159.02 yen.