Headline: Kospi Leads Asia’s Tech Rebound as AI Jitters Persist; Crypto Firms and Airlines Face Crosswinds
Introduction: Global markets are recalibrating after a sharp pullback in high-growth technology shares. Asian equities staged a notable comeback led by South Korea’s Kospi, even as Wall Street digested renewed volatility, policy uncertainty, and a reassessment of artificial intelligence valuations. Crypto prices firmed on hopes of political compromise, while airlines contended with widespread operational disruptions.
Asia’s tech complex advanced, with the Kospi jumping more than 3% and heavyweight chip names outperforming. The rebound followed a week marked by steep losses in AI-linked stocks and a risk-off swing in the U.S., where the Nasdaq fell and implied volatility climbed. Investors remain focused on earnings guidance from semiconductor and cloud leaders, as well as signals from the Federal Reserve on the path of interest rates and liquidity.
The AI trade is undergoing a reality check as investors debate whether recent gains reflect earnings power or speculative excess. Some strategists warn of the potential for deeper drawdowns in richly priced segments, while others see selective opportunity in memory, data center infrastructure, and software platforms tied to real-world AI deployment. Outside equities, the macro backdrop is mixed: airlines grounded thousands of flights amid a shutdown-related staffing squeeze at the aviation regulator, raising the risk of near-term revenue pressure. Digital assets rallied, with Bitcoin and Ethereum moving higher on hopes for a shutdown deal, even as odds for an ADA exchange-traded fund appeared to slip. In China, fintech platforms are reviving consumer lending and targeting mid-single-digit growth, though rising defaults remain a key risk as the broader economy slows.
Key Points: – Kospi outperformed in Asia with a gain above 3%, led by strength in semiconductors and broader tech. – U.S. tech weakness and higher volatility reflect mounting concerns over AI stock valuations and earnings durability. – Traders are hedging with options while watching Federal Reserve policy signals and upcoming corporate results. – Airlines cancelled more than 2,700 flights amid a shutdown-related staffing squeeze, posing revenue headwinds. – Crypto markets firmed, with Bitcoin and Ethereum advancing on hopes of a political deal; ADA ETF prospects eased. – China’s fintech lenders are restarting growth initiatives but face potential defaults as economic pressures linger.
