"Global Markets Brace for Record Highs and US Inflation Report"

Tech-heavy stock indexes like Nasdaq and Japan's Nikkei are close to all-time highs, despite a temporary setback due to the U.S. inflation update. The U.S. annual consumer price inflation is expected to decrease to a near 3-year low of 2.9%, leading to steady rates and bond markets. The AI and tech frenzy, along with a softening yen, propelled Japan's Nikkei to a 34-year high, with SoftBank and chip developer Arm Holdings contributing to the surge. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq surpassed its record closing high from November 2021, but Tesla's stock fell amid a price war with Chinese rivals. Bitcoin reached its highest level since December 2021, and in Europe, sterling rose while British stocks and bonds fell after weak UK pay growth data.