Thoughts News

• MSCI’s Asia Pacific gauge fell 2.5% to a two-month low as investors rotated away from technology stocks, leading to a significant downturn in regional benchmarks. • Japan’s Nikkei 225 faced its worst session since March, while TSMC shares dropped 5% despite a solid earnings outlook, weighed down by higher spending forecasts. • The decline was driven by semiconductor losses and the heavy weighting of technology companies in export-heavy indices, offsetting stability in Hong Kong and mainland China.

• U.S. equities rose following softer producer inflation and strong corporate earnings, while Asian markets saw a sharp reversal in semiconductor stocks. • Memory-chip manufacturers and equipment suppliers underperformed despite AI demand, though Hong Kong gained from a rotation into Chinese technology. • South Korean regulators are preparing measures to address controversies surrounding leveraged ETFs tied to industry giants Samsung and SK Hynix.

• Several key U.S. economic indicators and central bank communications are scheduled for today, including Initial Jobless Claims at 8:30 a.m. ET and Existing Home Sales at 10:00 a.m. ET. • Federal Reserve officials John Williams and Lorie Logan are also slated to speak at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET, respectively. • These events are critical as diverging monetary policy expectations continue to drive global currency flows and international portfolio allocation decisions.