AI-driven buying pushed emerging Asian equities to record highs, with the MSCI Emerging Markets index up as much as 2% Monday, led by Korea and Taiwan AI leaders. MOODY'S analyst Denise Cheok said AI momentum persists despite multiple risks, providing a tailwind for parts of Southeast Asia tied to the tech ecosystem but concentration raises the risk of a sudden drop in AI demand. Rising oil prices and a stronger USD are straining external finances of fuel net-importing Asian economies and weighi

AI-driven buying pushed emerging Asian equities to record highs, with the MSCI Emerging Markets index up as much as 2% Monday, led by Korea and Taiwan AI leaders. MOODY'S analyst Denise Cheok said AI momentum persists despite multiple risks, providing a tailwind for parts of Southeast Asia tied to the tech ecosystem but concentration raises the risk of a sudden drop in AI demand. Rising oil prices and a stronger USD are straining external finances of fuel net-importing Asian economies and weighing on their currencies; the Indonesian rupiah and Indian rupee are the worst performers YTD. Wee Khoon Chong, Asia-Pacific markets strategist at a New York-based bank, said equity strength has not translated into currency gains, with USD strength, the crude rebound and recent deterioration in trade terms the main drags on many APAC currencies.