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Asian stocks rose on Thursday, driven by an AI-fueled rally in China and tech dealmaking in Japan, despite concerns over high U.S. inflation. Chinese markets, including the Hang Seng, gained as AI optimism pushed stocks up 5-15% since January. However, broader sentiment remained weak due to trade tensions with the U.S. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.2%, helped by a weaker yen and a bidding war for cybersecurity firm Trend Micro. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.9%, benefiting from China’s AI boom. Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 inched up 0.2%, while Singapore’s Straits Times dipped 0.2%. U.S. stock futures rose in Asian trade despite Wall Street losses from stronger-than-expected inflation data, which reduced hopes for rate cuts. Risk appetite improved as Donald Trump talked about a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, leading to a drop in oil prices. India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed to a positive start, though U.S. tariff threats and weak sentiment weighed on the market.

Asian stocks mostly rose on Wednesday, with Hong Kong’s tech sector leading the gains, driven by excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). The Hang Seng index jumped over 2%, fueled by strong performances from Chinese tech companies like Alibaba and BYD, which saw significant stock price increases. Other regional markets were more cautious ahead of a key U.S. inflation report, with investors watching closely for hints about the Federal Reserve’s future interest rate moves. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose slightly, while South Korea’s KOSPI and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite also saw modest gains. Meanwhile, China’s main indices barely moved. U.S. inflation data, along with comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicating the economy is stable, kept traders on edge, as many are worried about the potential for higher interest rates and ongoing trade tensions. Indian and Australian markets showed mixed results, with India’s Nifty 50 slightly down and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 up.

Asian stock markets fell on Tuesday as renewed U.S. tariffs under President Trump, particularly on aluminum and steel, increased global trade tensions and led to a risk-off sentiment. Investors shifted towards safe-haven assets like gold and bonds, fearing economic disruptions. China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 fell 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.7% after a recent tech-driven rally. Other markets like the Philippines (-1%) and Indonesia (-0.6%) also declined, while South Korea’s KOSPI bucked the trend, rising 0.5%. U.S. stock futures also traded lower ahead of key inflation data due Wednesday, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook. Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 was flat as consumer sentiment remained weak despite expectations of an interest rate cut. The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to lower rates in its February 17–18 meeting, given easing inflation, according to Westpac economists.

Asian stock markets had a mixed start this week, with most indices falling after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, raising trade tensions. China plans to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods, adding to market uncertainty. Mining and steel stocks in South Korea, Japan, and Australia declined, while Indonesia’s market dropped 2% and India’s Nifty 50 fell 0.4%. However, Chinese AI stocks, including Baidu and Alibaba, surged, driving Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up 1.5%. China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.4%, supported by investor optimism in AI and expectations of government stimulus. Inflation data showed weak consumer and industrial demand, increasing speculation that Beijing might introduce economic support, such as interest rate cuts or infrastructure spending. Despite trade concerns, AI-related stocks in China remained strong, helping offset broader market weakness. Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were trading higher in Asia hours, providing some relief to investors.

Asian currencies remained mostly unchanged on Friday, while the U.S. dollar held steady ahead of key job market data that could influence interest rate decisions. The Chinese yuan stayed weak near 7.3 per dollar after reopening from the Lunar New Year holiday. The Japanese yen had a strong week, dropping 2.3% against the dollar on expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates further. Investors are closely watching U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, which could impact the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates. A strong job report may delay rate cuts, putting pressure on Asian markets. The Indian rupee hovered near record lows amid expectations of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India. The Australian dollar showed slight recovery from a recent five-year low, while the Singapore dollar and South Korean won also made small gains. Markets remain cautious due to ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, driven by strong gains in tech stocks following Wall Street’s rally, especially after NVIDIA’s positive AI spending outlook. Major Asian tech firms, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp and Sunny Optical, saw their shares surge, lifting China’s Shanghai Composite by 0.8% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng by 0.4%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.3%, with Tokyo Electron and Sony rising, while South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 0.5%, helped by Samsung and SK Hynix. Renesas Electronics soared 12% after strong earnings. However, gains were limited by ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, with new Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods set to take effect next week. Singapore’s market gained 0.4%, supported by financial and tech stocks, while Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.7% on mining and tech strength. India’s Nifty 50 remained mostly unchanged, as investors stayed cautious amid global uncertainty.

Asian markets showed mixed performance on Wednesday as Chinese stocks fell due to rising U.S.-China trade tensions, while investors analyzed inflation data from South Korea and the Philippines. China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1% after China imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods following Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports. The risk of a prolonged trade dispute kept markets uncertain. Japan’s Nikkei remained flat, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.6%, and Indonesia’s index dropped 0.5%. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 1.1% despite inflation crossing 2% for the first time in five months, fueled by AI-driven e-commerce stocks. The Philippines’ inflation stayed at 2.9%, supporting the central bank’s plan for rate cuts, boosting the PSEi Composite by 1.7%. U.S. stock futures declined as tech stocks fell after Alphabet’s weak earnings. Overall, trade tensions, inflation trends, and central bank actions shaped market sentiment.

Asian currencies made a mild recovery on Tuesday as the dollar lost some ground after U.S. President Donald Trump delayed plans to impose trade tariffs on Canada and Mexico. However, the gains in regional currencies were limited due to the ongoing 10% tariffs on China, which were still set to take effect later in the day. Chinese markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, but the yuan showed wild fluctuations in offshore trade. Despite some recovery in Asian currencies, concerns about high U.S. interest rates lingered, keeping regional markets under pressure. The Japanese yen rose slightly, while the South Korean won remained unchanged. The Indian rupee stayed close to a record high against the dollar. Investors are also waiting for the U.S. nonfarm payrolls data this week, which could influence expectations about interest rates, while the Fed’s stance on inflation and the economy continues to impact the dollar.