Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Yen Rebounds as BOJ Rate Hike Bets Rise 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Gold Prices Rebound as Dollar Weakens, Fed Decision Looms 
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Asian stocks traded mixed on Wednesday as semiconductor shares extended gains on strong artificial intelligence demand, while rising oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions fueled concerns about inflation and higher interest rates.
The regional performance followed a weak Wall Street session, where fears that AI could disrupt traditional software companies pressured technology stocks. Semiconductor shares remained resilient, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gaining 1.3%. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.2% in Asian trading, while S&P 500 futures were nearly flat.
Investors are now focused on Friday’s U.S. CPI report ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September 15-16 meeting. Markets currently see roughly a 60% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike.
Oil prices added to inflation concerns as Middle East fighting intensified. Iran-backed Houthis attacked Saudi cities, while U.S. forces struck Iranian tankers. Tehran also warned crews near Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to abandon their vessels and threatened additional attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. Brent crude, up more than 60% this year, approached $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.5%, supported by semiconductor stocks. SK Hynix gained 3.6% and Samsung Electronics rose 0.8%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.14%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.2% and China’s CSI 300 gained 0.1%.
The AI chip rally followed gains in Intel and Qualcomm after both companies announced agreements with Amazon to develop custom AI chips. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra increased concerns about disruption across established software businesses.
South Korea’s economy expanded 0.6% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, beating forecasts of 0.2%, while Japan’s GDP grew at a 1.4% annualized pace. Japanese real wages increased 2.4% in July, reinforcing expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike next week.
China’s August CPI increased 0.8% year-on-year, while PPI climbed 3.8% as energy and metals costs rose. Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.2%, Singapore’s Straits Times dropped 0.6%, and India’s Nifty 50 declined 0.5%.
Investors will next monitor Oracle and Adobe earnings on Thursday for fresh signals about AI infrastructure spending and its impact on traditional software companies.
