US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
BOJ Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Raise September Move Odds 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Several Asia-based hedge funds generated exceptional returns exceeding 100% during the first five months of 2026, capitalizing on the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector and record-breaking gains across regional stock markets.
Industry sources say Asian fund managers gained an early advantage by identifying supply-chain constraints within the semiconductor industry. With Asia playing a critical role across nearly the entire semiconductor ecosystem, investors were able to position themselves ahead of the market and benefit from rising demand for AI hardware, chips, memory, optics, and large language model technologies.
The strong performance demonstrates the resilience of the AI-driven market rally despite geopolitical uncertainty and volatility linked to the Iran conflict. Growing demand for AI infrastructure and limited supply have continued to support technology stocks, helping major equity benchmarks in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan reach historic highs.
Hong Kong-based WT Asset Management emerged as one of the standout performers. Its China Focus long-short fund delivered a net return of 103% year-to-date through the end of May, while its long-only strategy gained 67.5%, according to sources familiar with the results. Investments in AI hardware companies and Chinese technology firms, including semiconductor manufacturer Hua Hong Semiconductor and AI company Zhipu AI (Knowledge Atlas), contributed significantly to the gains.
WT was also a cornerstone investor in Zhipu AI, whose shares have surged more than 1,000% since its Hong Kong listing in January. The firm, led by veteran investor Wong Tongshu, has reportedly expanded its assets under management to approximately $10 billion.
Other technology-focused hedge funds also benefited from the AI boom. Hong Kong-based E20 Capital posted a 136% net gain during the first five months of the year, driven by investments in memory chips, optical technologies, and central processing units. Meanwhile, Trivest Advisors recorded an 88.9% return over the same period.
The broader market backdrop has been equally supportive. China’s Shanghai Composite Index climbed to its highest level in more than a decade, while South Korea’s KOSPI nearly doubled this year. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Taiwan’s benchmark index have also posted strong gains.
According to Cambridge Associates senior investment director Navin Raj Jaidev, Asia continues to offer attractive investment opportunities as many AI supply-chain companies remain underfollowed by global investors. He also highlighted corporate governance reforms and block-trade opportunities as emerging themes that could drive future returns across Asian markets.
