US stocks rise at open as oil prices ease; tech shares lead gains

US stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session as easing oil prices and renewed optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) stocks boosted investor sentiment. The benchmark S&P 500 rose 0.5% in early trading, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also advanced 0.5%.

Technology shares continued to lead the market higher, with semiconductor and AI-related stocks building on Monday's rebound after recent weakness in the sector.

Investor sentiment was also supported by a decline in crude oil prices after Israel and Iran paused hostilities. US President Donald Trump said he was confident that a peace agreement could be reached soon, helping ease concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell 2% to around $92 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 2.6% to about $88 a barrel.

However, Trump warned that renewed military action could result in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, for an extended period, highlighting lingering geopolitical risks.

Among individual stocks, Apple shares came under pressure after the company unveiled a range of artificial intelligence and software updates at its annual developers conference. Investors appeared underwhelmed by the announcements, sending the stock down nearly 2.5% in early trade.

The conference also marked the final developers event led by Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, bringing added attention to the company's future leadership plans.

Most indices in Asia rose Tuesday, with South Korea's KOSPI rebounding strongly to close more than 8% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 Day and TOPIX also closed higher.

In South Korea, KOSPI heavyweights Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix closed almost 9% and 16% higher, respectively. Among others, shares of LG Energy Solution were up 2% and Samsung SDI Co. over 2%.