Asia stocks slump as AI jitters hammer Korean chipmakers ahead of tech earnings

Asia stocks saw a decline on Tuesday as concerns surrounding AI technology affected Korean chipmakers ahead of important tech earnings releases. The MSCI Asia Pacific index dropped 0.8%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng decreased 1%. China's CSI 300 and the Shanghai Composite experienced modest falls of 0.3% and minimal change, respectively.

In contrast, the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.2% and the S&P 500 rose 0.4%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rebounded 1.6%, marking an eight-session losing streak and the longest since 2008. The Nasdaq 100 also showed signs of recovery, recovering from its worst weekly performance since April 2025. Meanwhile, South Korea's KOSPI fell 2.5%, with SK Hynix down 3.5% and nearing its lowest close since April.

Samsung Electronics slipped 1.8%, and Japan's Kioxia and TDK each lost 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Largan Precision saw declines of 0.4% and 2.4%, while Foxconn rose 1.1%. Sentiment was also influenced by the market debut of South Korean AI data-center infrastructure company Elice Group, whose shares opened 16% below the initial public offering price and subsequently dropped as much as 33%.

The People's Bank of China kept its key interest rates steady at 3.00% and 3.50% for a 17th consecutive month, despite stronger-than-expected third-quarter growth, indicating limited relief for borrowers. Moreover, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.8%, while New Zealand's NZX 50 declined 0.4%. Singapore's Straits Times Index and India's Nifty 50 futures also experienced minor declines.

Upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies, including Netflix, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and IBM, are anticipated to provide further insights into capital spending and AI infrastructure investments. The Federal Reserve's recent comments, particularly from Chair Kevin Warsh, suggest a cautious approach to rate hikes, as economic strength remains a priority.

Meanwhile, the recent U.S. executive order waiving certain Russia-related sanctions and tariffs has sparked mixed reactions among investors.