Equities jumped Thursday after data showing job losses in the US private sector fanned optimism for more interest rate cuts and overshadowed a partial shutdown of the country's government.

Tech firms led the way higher as a deal between South Korea's biggest chip firms and OpenAI added fuel to the AI-led rally that has helped push markets to record highs.

While debate rages over the impact of the closure of some US departments owing to a standoff between lawmakers in Washington, investors continue to focus on the outlook for more Federal Reserve rate cuts.

And hopes were given a boost Wednesday by figures from payrolls firm ADP showing companies shed 32,000 posts last month, confounding forecasts for a gain of more than 50,000.

The data was the latest in a string of below-par reports i

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