Markets Update: AI-Linked Stocks Propel Gains in Asia
Asian equities linked to the burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence experienced significant growth on Thursday, with Japan’s benchmark index reaching a 35-year high.
Japan’s Topix index increased by 0.9%, surpassing a record set in 1989. The rise was primarily driven by semiconductor manufacturer Rorze and robot maker Keyence.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index advanced by 1.6%, bolstered by a 2.7% gain in its largest constituent, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, the nation’s largest listed company, saw a 3.1% rise ahead of its quarterly earnings announcement on Friday, fueled by optimism surrounding AI-driven demand for its memory chips.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s market remained flat, while mainland China’s CSI 300 index experienced a decline.