Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian stock markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Hong Kong and South Korea extending gains driven by Wall Street’s tech rally, while Japan lagged due to a stronger yen and rising interest rate expectations.
The Hang Seng Index rose over 1%, supported by surging Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba and Tencent, following a bullish session for U.S. tech. South Korea’s KOSPI also jumped 1.5%, led by chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, after NVIDIA announced a major AI chip deal with Saudi Arabia’s Humain, boosting investor sentiment in the semiconductor space.
However, broader market momentum appeared to fade as enthusiasm over the recent U.S.-China tariff truce cooled. U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut tariffs — Washington reducing duties from 145% to 30%, and Beijing lowering its rate from 125% to 10% — but investors remain cautious about the next phase of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8% and the broader Topix lost over 1% as a strengthening yen weighed on exporters. The Japanese currency rose on renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike, especially after April wholesale inflation climbed to 4.0%. The BOJ is scheduled to meet on May 19–20 to decide on interest rate policy.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 were flat, with reduced hopes for further government stimulus amid easing trade tensions. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.1%, Singapore’s STI slid 0.3%, and Indian Nifty 50 futures were steady amid geopolitical concerns with Pakistan.
Despite signs of cooling inflation in the U.S., global markets remain cautious ahead of key central bank meetings and trade developments.
