International News

Asian equities rallied on Friday as Nvidia’s strong earnings reinforced the global AI spending narrative and hopes of a US-Iran peace deal improved risk appetite. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 2.68%, powered by tech and semiconductor stocks, while India’s Nifty remained cautious as investors monitored crude oil prices, Hormuz shipping activity, and geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Chinese AI firms Zhipu AI and MiniMax rallied sharply after emerging as top candidates for inclusion in the Hang Seng Tech Index. Analysts believe Stock Connect eligibility and passive ETF inflows could drive billions in capital inflows, although lock-up expiries and weak fundamentals remain key risks.

Wall Street rebounded sharply on May 21, 2026, with the Dow Jones reclaiming the 50,000 mark as easing oil prices, falling Treasury yields, and optimism around a potential US-Iran agreement boosted investor sentiment globally. Nvidia’s strong earnings, SpaceX’s IPO filing, and improving risk appetite lifted US and European markets, while lower crude prices emerged as a major positive for India’s economy, inflation outlook, and foreign investment sentiment.

Asian stock markets witnessed sharp divergence on May 21, 2026, with Japan and South Korea rallying strongly after Nvidia’s earnings beat and Samsung’s last-minute wage agreement, while China and Hong Kong slipped amid concerns around Nvidia’s China sales outlook and Huawei’s rising influence in AI chips. Falling crude oil prices below $100 per barrel emerged as a major positive for India by easing inflation and current account concerns.

Asian equities traded mixed on Thursday as global investors closely monitored the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. South Korea’s KOSPI extended record highs led by Samsung Electronics, while Japan’s Nikkei reversed sharply lower after Fujikura’s weak outlook. China’s Shanghai Composite fell despite diplomatic optimism, and India’s Nifty gained over 1% on strong pharma buying even as IT stocks remained under pressure amid elevated oil prices.

Asian equities ended Friday on a cautious note after renewed US-Iran hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz reignited oil supply fears. Brent crude climbed back above $101, raising concerns for India’s inflation, current account deficit, and rupee stability. China’s markets remained resilient with a fifth straight weekly gain driven by AI and semiconductor stocks, while Hong Kong posted its strongest growth in nearly five years. Japan’s automakers faced mounting tariff pressure as Toyota’s profit plunged 49%, highlighting broader stress across Asian manufacturing.