Tech stocks recover after midterms rout as Nvidia takes centre stage

After the US midterms on Tuesday, which saw Democrats win both houses of Congress, tech stocks experienced a significant decline. This downturn was attributed to voters' discontent over President Trump's Iran war, tariffs, and the expansion of data centers across the country. The uncertainty surrounding tech firms' construction drive raised concerns about potential job losses, adding to the traders' apprehension about the profitability of the billions of dollars invested in the sector.

For the remainder of last week and as Asia rejoined the market on Monday, the tech-heavy stocks in Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei rebounded. The Nikkei 225 surged in Japan, while SK hynix and Samsung saw gains in South Korea, driving the Kospi higher. Taiwan's TSMC also experienced a substantial increase, lifting the Taiex significantly. Hong Kong and Shanghai also witnessed healthy gains, although Sydney, Wellington, and Manila experienced declines.

Market analysts are closely watching the situation to determine if these recoveries are merely a result of short-covering or bargain-hunting or if they signify a more sustainable market trend. Sally Auld from National Australia Bank highlighted that fears surrounding AI regulation, capital expenditure, and free cash flow have been the primary drivers of risk reduction in recent weeks. However, these issues are expected to persist with no near-term resolution in sight.

Despite the ongoing concerns, many tech stocks now appear to be less expensive in terms of valuation. Investors are also monitoring the release of fresh US inflation data, which was released on Friday. The economy added more jobs than expected in October, a crucial factor for the Federal Reserve in determining whether to raise interest rates at their December meeting. Markets currently believe there is an 80% chance of an interest rate hike.

Additionally, investors are keeping a close eye on Nvidia following reports of an independent investigation into the company's CEO, Jensen Huang. The investigation was initiated after allegations surfaced regarding a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy. Nvidia affirmed that its board had no reason to believe the company's secrets or national security were compromised, emphasizing that CEO Huang was committed to continuing to lead the company.