Why did the Brainchip share price blast 6% higher today?

Thursday was a good day overall for ASX technology shares.

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Key points
  • The Brainchip share price closed almost nearly 6% higher today 
  • Many ASX technology shares also surged after the NASDAQ lifted overnight 
  • The All Technology Index jumped more than 3% today 

The Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN) share price spent a solid day in the green today amid a positive trading session overall for ASX technology shares.

Shares in the artificial intelligence tech solutions company closed today at 97 cents each, a 5.43% gain. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed 1.59% higher.

Let's look at what might have impacted the Brainchip share price today.

A man touches an AI light version of a brain

Image source: Getty Images

What happened?

The Brainchip share price was not the only ASX technology share going gangbusters on Thursday. Shares in Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) surged 12%, while Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) climbed 3.52%. Meanwhile, Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) shares soared 16.7% higher at the close.

Today's boost for multiple ASX technology shares came after the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rose 2.14% in the United States overnight.

As my Foolish colleague Sebastian noted recently, ASX tech shares have a tendency to follow the trend of US stocks, typically more so than other sectors.

The Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) is up 3.19% overall today, while the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) closed 3.12% in the green.

What else?

The Nasdaq rose after US Federal Reserve vice chair Lael Brainard warned of risks of overtightening in the US economy.

Investors look to the Federal Reserve for guidance on monetary policy amid high inflation. On Wednesday, the Fed also published its beige book on economic activity.

Brainard said (courtesy of CNBC):

At some point in the tightening cycle, the risks will become more two-sided.

The rapidity of the tightening cycle and its global nature, as well as the uncertainty around the pace at which the effects of tighter financial conditions are working their way through aggregate demand, create risks associated with overtightening.

Brainchip derived nearly 96% of its revenue from customers in the Americas in the 2022 financial year, the company's FY22 results show.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe also hinted at a slowing of rate rises in a speech today. However, he said "further increases in interest rates" would be required over the months ahead.

Lowe added:

We are conscious that there are lags in the operation of monetary policy and that interest rates have increased very quickly. And we recognise that, all else equal, the case for a slower pace of increase in interest rates becomes stronger as the level of the cash rate rises.

The Reserve Bank reiterated it was targeting inflation between 2 to 3%. CPI inflation is now 6.1%, while underlying inflation is 4.9%.

Brainchip share price snapshot

The Brainchip share price has soared more than 100% in the past year, while it has surged 43% year to date.

But in the last month, Brainchip shares have lost nearly 14%.

Brainchip has a market capitalisation of around $1.67 billion based on the current share price.

Motley Fool contributor Monica O'Shea has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Inc., MEGAPORT FPO, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended MEGAPORT FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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