Asian Tech Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Collides with Renewed Strait of Hormuz Risks
Technology stocks led gains across Asian markets as US chipmakers rallied on Friday, while oil prices moved higher after the US and Iran exchanged attacks involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1.3%, led by South Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. The advance followed a 0.2% gain in the Nasdaq 100 and a 3.4% jump in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, as optimism surrounding OpenAI’s latest AI model strengthened expectations for demand for computing power.
OpenAI’s release of its new GPT-6 model has added to the renewed enthusiasm around the AI trade. Investors are betting that stronger AI adoption will support demand for chips and computing infrastructure, with South Korean chipmakers among the biggest beneficiaries of the renewed optimism.
The Yen edged higher, strengthening as much as 0.3% to 155.80 per Dollar amid speculation that Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund could increase allocations to domestic assets. Expectations of a potential Bank of Japan rate hike this month also supported the currency.
Treasury futures slipped for a second consecutive day, while cash Treasuries were closed globally for the US holiday. Meanwhile, US bond investors are preparing for further turbulence across the maturity spectrum, with potential catalysts in the week ahead that could trigger significant moves in both short- and long-term securities.
In China, authorities announced plans to inject 300 billion yuan ($45 billion) into the country’s largest banks and insurers. The move represents the nation’s biggest financial-sector recapitalization in almost two decades and is aimed at strengthening the banking system and supporting lending as economic growth slows.
Oil remained a major focus as Iran and the US carried out what appeared to be their largest tit-for-tat tanker strikes yet over the weekend. The escalation pushed oil prices higher as the six-month war continues to disrupt shipping and contribute to global inflation.
Oil climbed after the US attacked Iranian tankers and Tehran declared a new restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions to energy flows through the waterway. The developments add further uncertainty to the outlook for global energy markets.
Japan likely sold a portion of its foreign securities holdings, including US Treasuries, to finance its record currency intervention over the past month. The potential Treasury sales come amid concerns in Washington over their impact on long-term US bond yields.
Overall, Asian markets benefited from renewed optimism surrounding technology and artificial intelligence, with chipmakers leading the regional advance. At the same time, rising oil prices and renewed US-Iran attacks involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz kept energy and geopolitical risks firmly in focus, while developments in China and Japan added further significance to the outlook for global financial markets.
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