Wolfspeed (WOLF.US), a silicon carbide chip manufacturer, surges after hours following approval for a maximum $1.5 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Broadcom is in preliminary talks to raise about $30 billion in debt financing for OpenAI, to support the latter's purchase of custom AI chips co-developed by both parties. With the high costs of building data centers, AI computing expansion is increasingly relying on debt leverage, and companies such as Oracle and SpaceX are also seeking similarly large-scale funding. Previously, Broadcom initiated $60 billion in debt financing to support Anthropic's AI development.

Demand for Japan’s 30-year government bond auction surpassed the average level of the past 12 months, as higher yields attracted investors. The bid-to-cover ratio for Thursday’s auction was 3.88, up from 3.79 at the previous auction and higher than the 12-month average of 3.56. Following the auction, Japanese government bond prices remained generally stable. The global bond market continues to face pressure amid inflation concerns sparked by the US-Iran conflict and worsening fiscal conditions in multiple countries. This week, yields on Japan’s 30-year government bonds reached their highest level since issuance. Tuesday’s auction for Japan’s 10-year government bonds also saw robust demand, with high yields supporting buying interest. On Wednesday, the increase in US long-term Treasury yields also narrowed, after the 10-year bond auction indicated that the decades-high interest rate levels are spurring investor demand.

Spot gold has just surpassed the $4,130.00/oz mark, currently quoted at $4,129.78/oz, up 0.46% on the day; COMEX gold futures main contract is currently quoted at $4,153.80/oz, up 0.32% on the day.

The main contract of Nymex US crude oil futures has just surpassed the $90.00 per barrel mark, now trading at $90.01 per barrel, up 1.96% on the day.