India Manufacturing Growth Hits Seven-Month High in September 
BOJ Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Grow 
Dollar Hits Three-Month High as US Treasury Yields Surge 
Japan Factory Output Unexpectedly Falls 1.7% in August 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as AI, Rate Concerns Weigh 
US Alcohol Ban Exposes Canada’s Internal Trade Barriers 
Gold Rebounds as Oil Falls and Treasury Rout Eases 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Slides on BOJ Rate Signals 
RBA Hikes Interest Rate to 4.60% as Inflation Risks Rise 
US Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Aussie, Pound Slide 
Asian Stocks Rise as Bond Yields Ease Ahead of U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Weakens, RBA Hike Looms 
Trump Eyes $54 Billion South Korean Investment in Alaska LNG 
Oil Prices Steady as Middle East Crude Flows Recover 
South Korea Exports Set for 16th Monthly Gain on AI Chip Demand 
US Treasury Bond Buybacks Fall Short Despite Expanded $6 Billion Cap 
Gold Holds Near Seven-Week Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
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Asian stocks mostly advanced Wednesday as renewed strength in technology and semiconductor shares boosted markets in South Korea and Japan. However, higher oil prices and uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations kept investors cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation data.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains, surging more than 4%, supported by a powerful chip-stock rally. Samsung Electronics jumped over 7%, while SK Hynix gained around 7% amid reports that Singapore state investor Temasek is considering direct investments in both semiconductor companies.
AI optimism also strengthened after CoreWeave reported better-than-expected sales growth, sending its shares sharply higher in extended U.S. trading. Super Micro Computer also gained after issuing a revenue forecast above expectations. Meanwhile, Nvidia announced partnerships with six major financial institutions aimed at mobilizing more than $500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained about 0.5%, with semiconductor-related stocks including Kioxia Holdings, TDK and Murata Manufacturing advancing. Chinese markets also moved higher, with the CSI 300 rising roughly 0.6% and the Shanghai Composite adding around 0.2%. SMIC, Cambricon Technologies, Luxshare Precision and NAURA Technology were among the notable technology gainers.
Hong Kong bucked the regional trend. The Hang Seng fell more than 1% as major technology stocks Alibaba, Tencent, NetEase, JD.com and Meituan declined.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped around 0.7% after the Reserve Bank of Australia maintained its cash rate at 4.35%. Indian and Singaporean stocks also traded lower.
Oil prices remained another key market concern as uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continued. Brent crude extended its rally to a sixth consecutive session, trading near $89.44 per barrel amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Investors are now focused on the U.S. Consumer Price Index report. July headline CPI is forecast to rise 0.1% month-on-month and 3.4% annually, while core inflation is expected at 2.5% year-on-year. A softer U.S. inflation reading could reduce pressure on the Federal Reserve as markets weigh interest-rate risks against rising energy costs.
