Edward Marchesi Major Asian stock markets closed the day in positive territory, reversing the losses seen in previous sessions. The renewed optimism is partly due to renewed confidence in artificial intelligence investments , following concerns raised following the Democratic victory in the recent U.S. midterm elections.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to be a risk factor, but they haven't stopped markets from posting gains. Market sentiment is also being influenced by recent statements from major venture capital funds, which see AI as a medium-term growth driver.
Performance of the main Asian stock indices
The Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped 2,33% , while Taiwan's closed with a remarkable 4,94% gain, marking the session's strongest performances. The markets of Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, still trading, also showed signs of growth: + 0,23% , + 0,44% , and + 0,28% , respectively . In contrast, Seoul and Mumbai suffered slight declines, with losses of -0,81% and -0,27%.
Details by country
These movements reflect a combination of local and global factors. In Tokyo, the rally was supported by favorable domestic consumption data, while in Taiwan, growth was fueled by semiconductor orders, closely tied to the development of artificial intelligence . Smaller gains in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen point to a cautious but steady recovery in regional technology stocks .
Currencies and macroeconomic outlook
In the currency market, the yen remained stable against the dollar, trading at 158,20 , and against the euro at 176,60 . The Japanese yen's neutrality suggests that investors do not anticipate any sudden changes in monetary policy, especially given the recent focus on inflation in the United States.
On the agenda, Germany is due to publish its trade balance soon, as export data influences European market valuations. Meanwhile, the New York Fed is about to release its inflation forecast, a crucial element for traders monitoring interest rate expectations. Both indicators will be closely monitored to assess whether the positive trend in Asian stock markets can be sustained in the medium term.
Overall, the synergy between the recovery of major indices, the stability of the yen , and expectations for key macroeconomic data creates a cautious sentiment environment. Analysts warn, however, that any escalation in conflicts in the Middle East or sudden shifts in U.S. fiscal policy could quickly reverse the positive trend.