Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Baidu Cuts Jobs as AI Competition and Ad Revenue Slump Intensify 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
AI-Guided Drones Transform Ukraine’s Battlefield Strategy 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
TSMC Accuses Former Executive of Leaking Trade Secrets as Taiwan Prosecutors Launch Investigation 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Mainland Chinese stocks gained momentum as optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) surged following the release of DeepSeek. Analysts at Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) noted that investor sentiment was lifted by China’s AI capabilities, even as broader economic conditions remained weak.
China’s technology sector outperformed other industries, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rising 2.2% since mid-January, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 13.5%. However, non-tech sectors continued to struggle, weighed down by persistent deflation. January’s inflation data showed minimal improvement, raising concerns about economic stagnation.
Chinese tech shares rallied after DeepSeek R1’s debut, an AI model that rivaled OpenAI’s offerings despite operating on older hardware and a smaller budget. Subsequent AI developments by Chinese internet giants reinforced confidence in the country’s technological competitiveness, even amid U.S. restrictions on semiconductor exports.
Investors bet that AI-driven growth would benefit multiple industries, including tech, utilities, and energy. However, Morgan Stanley analysts cautioned that the market's performance would hinge on geopolitical developments, U.S.-China relations, local stimulus efforts, and the pace of AI adoption.
Recent reports indicate that Beijing is attempting to strengthen diplomatic ties with Washington by positioning itself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This move could influence global investor sentiment and impact Chinese stock market trends in the coming months.
