Nikkei, Topix, CSI 300: Tech-Rally beflügelt Asiens Börsen trotz Nahost-Eskalation

Asian stock markets surged on Wednesday, defying rising tensions in the Middle East. The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo climbed 0.4% to 65,495 points, while the broader Topix index rose 0.3% to 4,064 figures. Shanghai's index gained 0.3% to 3,953 spots. China's CSI-300 index of 300 key mainland companies increased 0.3% to 4,571 points.

Japanese enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) overshadowed concerns over the expanding conflict in the Middle East. A $1 billion fiber-optic deal between US companies Verizon and Corning spurred domestic cable manufacturers. Maki Sawada, a strategist at Nomura Securities, noted that semiconductor and AI-related stocks were performing strongly and contributing positively to the Nikkei.

Furukawa Electric led the winners with a 13.2% increase. Pharmaceutical stocks like Kyowa Kirin and Sumitomo Pharma, however, fell about 5% each. In China, the impact of the Middle East conflict on the domestic economy came to the forefront. Attacks by Houthi rebels in Saudi Arabia and US strikes on Iranian oil tankers drove energy costs up, fueling inflation in August.

Producer prices rose 3.8%, while consumer prices increased 0.8%. Dong Lijuan, a statistician at the National Statistics Bureau, said higher international crude oil and metal prices had driven prices in related industries up in China. Weak domestic demand, however, dampened a broader price surge.