Asian markets opened with mixed results Thursday as Wall Street's strong rally lifted regional sentiment, with chip-related stocks in focus following a new U.S.-Taiwan technology cooperation agreement. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is poised for a 0.8% gain at the open, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3%.
- Hang Seng Index set to open 0.8% higher
- S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3% at market open
- TSMC ADRs gained 3.1% on NYSE
- ASE Technology up 4.2% in Taipei
- ASML shares rose 2.6% in Amsterdam
- U.S.-Taiwan tech pact signals supply chain cooperation shift
Markets across Asia opened on a mixed note Thursday, buoyed by a sharp rebound in U.S. equities overnight. The S&P 500 closed up 1.7% on Wednesday, driven by optimism around semiconductor supply chain stability after a high-level U.S.-Taiwan technology pact was announced. This development lifted sentiment across the region, particularly for semiconductor firms with significant operations in Taiwan and China. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is set to open 0.8% higher, supported by strong gains in tech heavyweights such as Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.3% at the open, with financial and materials sectors providing modest support. The broader regional market momentum reflects growing investor confidence in technology-driven trade initiatives amid geopolitical recalibrations. Chip-related stocks led the regional gains. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) surged 3.4% in after-hours trading following the announcement, with its U.S. Depositary Receipts (ADR) rising 3.1% on the New York Stock Exchange. Other beneficiaries included ASE Technology Holding Co., which climbed 4.2% in Taipei, and ASML Holding NV, whose shares rose 2.6% in Amsterdam on expectations of increased demand for advanced chipmaking equipment from the U.S.-Taiwan supply chain partnerships. Market analysts noted that the U.S.-Taiwan technology cooperation framework, though non-binding, signals a strategic shift toward deepening semiconductor collaboration amid ongoing global chip shortages and supply chain fragility. The deal is expected to accelerate joint R&D projects and streamline export controls on critical components, benefiting global tech firms reliant on Taiwanese manufacturing capacity.