MNI China Daily Summary: Wednesday, January 22

MNI BRIEF: China Iron Ore Imports To Remain Positive In 2025

MNI BRIEF: China To Boost Long-term Funds For Equity Market

MNI BRIEF: China To Maintian Communication With U.S. - MOFA

MNI JAN CHINA MONEY MARKET INDEX 24.4 VS DEC 36.0

MNI: PBOC Net Injects CNY198 Bln via OMO Wednesday

EZ/UK Bond Supply Calendar: France, UK Auction on Thursday

MNI: US REDBOOK: JAN STORE SALES +4.2% V YR AGO MO

MNI: CANADA DEC INDUSTRIAL PRICES +0.2% MOM; EX-ENERGY +0.4%

MNI EXCLUSIVE: EU-Mercosur Deal Close, But Likely Short-Lived - Officials

AUSTRALIA: 2025 Election Outcome Looking More Uncertain According To Newspoll

© 1982-2025 MNI. All rights reserved.
Terms | Privacy
Log Out
Free Trial

ASIA STOCKS: Equities Trade Higher Following Trump's AI-Focused Investment Plan

ASIA STOCKS
EM BulletFixed Income BulletsBulletAPACEmerging Market NewsForeign Exchange BulletsMarkets

Asian equities are trading higher today, buoyed by positive sentiment following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a $100b AI-focused joint venture involving SoftBank Group, OpenAI, Oracle, and others, with a long-term target of $500b. Softer-than-expected trade policies and easing inflationary pressures in the US also supported risk appetite.

  • Japanese equities are higher with the Nikkei is 1.5% higher, while the Topix gained 0.9%, driven by AI-related stocks like SoftBank Group (+8.9%) and chip equipment makers such as Disco (+7.2%) and Advantest (+4.3%). Exporters, autos, and financial stocks also performed well amid optimism over BOJ rate hike expectations.
  • South Korea's KOSPI is 0.65% higher, supported by gains in tech, battery, and bio stocks. Naver (+1.96%), LG Energy Solution (+0.71%), and Samsung Biologics (+3.1%) were among the leaders. Sentiment improved as US Treasury yields declined, bolstering growth-sensitive sectors.
  • Taiwan's TAIEX is 1.20% higher with key AI-linked stocks advanced, with TSMC (+2.2%), Alchip (+2.6%), and ASE Technology (+2.3%) gaining on optimism over U.S. AI infrastructure investments.
  • Australia's ASX 200 is 0.4%, with financials and consumer discretionary sectors leading gains. The index is on track for a third consecutive daily advance.

Overall, looser regulations and significant AI-related investments spurred optimism in AI and tech sectors across the region, while easing inflation and energy prices provided additional support for market sentiment.

212 words

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.

Asian equities are trading higher today, buoyed by positive sentiment following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a $100b AI-focused joint venture involving SoftBank Group, OpenAI, Oracle, and others, with a long-term target of $500b. Softer-than-expected trade policies and easing inflationary pressures in the US also supported risk appetite.

  • Japanese equities are higher with the Nikkei is 1.5% higher, while the Topix gained 0.9%, driven by AI-related stocks like SoftBank Group (+8.9%) and chip equipment makers such as Disco (+7.2%) and Advantest (+4.3%). Exporters, autos, and financial stocks also performed well amid optimism over BOJ rate hike expectations.
  • South Korea's KOSPI is 0.65% higher, supported by gains in tech, battery, and bio stocks. Naver (+1.96%), LG Energy Solution (+0.71%), and Samsung Biologics (+3.1%) were among the leaders. Sentiment improved as US Treasury yields declined, bolstering growth-sensitive sectors.
  • Taiwan's TAIEX is 1.20% higher with key AI-linked stocks advanced, with TSMC (+2.2%), Alchip (+2.6%), and ASE Technology (+2.3%) gaining on optimism over U.S. AI infrastructure investments.
  • Australia's ASX 200 is 0.4%, with financials and consumer discretionary sectors leading gains. The index is on track for a third consecutive daily advance.

Overall, looser regulations and significant AI-related investments spurred optimism in AI and tech sectors across the region, while easing inflation and energy prices provided additional support for market sentiment.