Tech and Energy Stocks Surge as Nasdaq Rises 3% and ExxonMobil Gains 3.7%

- Former President Trump Predicts 'Stock Market Will Rise'; Technology and Energy Stocks Increase - US Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.8%, Major Corporate Earnings Surpass Expectations [Unblock Media] Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the "stock market will rise," heightening market participants' optimistic sentiment. With economic recovery, monetary easing, and improvements in major corporate earnings, the U.S. stock market continues its upward trend driven by optimism. In a recent interview, former President Trump emphasized the need to reintroduce economic stimulus and deregulation, expressing confidence in the economy. Following his remarks, specific sectors showed clear strength. The NASDAQ 100 index rose about 4.35% over two days, ExxonMobil increased by 3.7% over three days, and defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) saw gains amid expectations of geopolitical tensions and increased defense spending. Experts believe that Trump's policy direction is stirring expectations for a market return to a pro-business and pro-industry stance. The U.S. economy has been recovering since the pandemic. As of April 2025, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, down 0.3 percentage points from the 2024 average. Consumer spending increased by 0.7% from the previous month, confirming a private consumption recovery. Corporate earnings have exceeded market expectations. Major tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon posted earnings that surpassed forecasts in their first-quarter reports, driving stock prices up. This has positively influenced overall market investment sentiment. However, even amid positive signs, supply chain bottlenecks and inflation instability remain structural risk factors for the market. According to AutoForecast Solutions, global automotive industry losses due to semiconductor shortages are estimated to reach about $1 billion in the first half of 2025. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April rose by 3.6% year-on-year, exceeding the Federal Reserve's 2% target, with the cost of living remaining a burden. Walmart and Target recently announced product price increases due to rising supply chain costs in their quarterly reports. Former President Trump's comments have positively influenced market participants' sentiment and have been reflected in major indexes and sector stock prices. However, it is important to comprehensively consider various factors such as global supply chain risks, inflationary pressures, and political uncertainties.