Asian stock markets retreated on Friday as investors grappled with a pullback in artificial intelligence-related shares. The sell-off was most significant in South Korea, where the Kospi index dropped more than 5 percent and sank as much as 7 percent.
These declines followed a sharp downturn on Wall Street, where losses in major AI stocks snapped a nine-day winning streak for the S&P 500. US futures also retreated in the wake of these declines.
European stock markets had a mixed opening as the volatility continued. Meanwhile, oil prices remained little changed.
Additionally, investors are weighing the market movements alongside hopes for a diplomatic resolution to tensions in the Middle East.