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Chip stocks lead Asian markets lower; China in focus

Asian equities fell on Wednesday after disappointing earnings from Europe's most significant tech firm ASML dragged chip stocks around the globe, while expectations that the Federal Reserve will take a modest rate cut path propped up the dollar.

Likewise weighing on the market was drab incomes from French high-end giant LVMH that showed need in China for luxury goods worsened, denting a few of the enthusiasm around China spurred by stimulus steps.

Tech-heavy South Korean stocks fell 0.6%, while chip stocks led Japan's Nikkei 1.8% lower. Taiwan stocks slipped 1.2%. That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.32%.

Matt Simpson, senior market expert at City Index, stated investors are likely questioning how exposed to risk they truly want to be, provided there are threat occasions and a U.S. election looming on Nov. 5.

I expect financiers to end up being increasingly twitchy as we head towards November 5th, and eager that book earnings at frothy levels.

ASML, whose clients consist of AI chipmaker TSMC, logic chip makers Intel and Samsung too as memory chip professionals Micron and SK Hynix , anticipated lower than anticipated 2025 sales.

The Dutch chip equipment maker said regardless of a boom in AI-related chips, other parts of the semiconductor market are weaker for longer than anticipated, leading to client cautiousness.

The AMSL numbers were bad and suggest that all is not well in semiconductor chips outside of AI, said Nick Ferres, CIO at Viewpoint Property Management in Singapore.

A Bloomberg Report that U.S. authorities have actually been thinking about executing a cap on export licenses for AI chips to particular countries also weighed on sentiment.

The dour mood indicated Chinese stocks fell in early trading as investors awaited concrete information on stimulus strategies. The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.6%, while Hong Kong's. Hang Seng Index was 0.7% lower in early trading.

Investor focus is now on Thursday when China will hold a. press conference to discuss promoting the consistent and healthy. advancement of the home sector.

Our company believe financiers need to see the policy statements. given that Sept. 24 as an integrated plan rather than isolated. messages - the policy pivot appearances quite here to stay, HSBC. strategist Steven Sun said in a report.

RISING DOLLAR

On the macro side, investors remain enthralled by U.S. rates. and the shifting rate cut expectations in the wake of information that. has actually revealed the U.S. economy to be durable and inflation to tick. just a bit higher.

That has kept traders on the fence of how deep the rate cuts. will be in the near term, with traders pricing in 46 basis. points (bps) of easing this year. The Fed started its easing. cycle with an aggressive 50 bp cut in September.

Markets are ascribing a 96% opportunity of a 25 bp cut from the. Fed next month, CME FedWatch tool revealed, compared to a 50%. chance a month previously when investors were weighing towards. another 50 bp cut from the U.S. reserve bank.

The dollar as a result has actually risen in recent weeks, with the. U.S. dollar index, which measures the U.S. system versus. major competitors, at 103.24, hovering near its highest levels since. early August.

The euro loitered around 2 month lows and last. fetched $1.0887 in early trading ahead of the European Central. Bank's policy meeting on Thursday, where the central bank is. mainly anticipated to cut rates again.

The yen was steady at 149.155 per dollar but is. down 3.6% in October as the dovish tilt from the Bank of Japan. drags the currency.

In products, oil prices were consistent after high declines. in the previous session as investors competed with uncertainty. around stress in the Middle East and what it indicates for international. supply.

Brent petroleum futures increased 0.4% to $74.56 a. barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate unrefined futures increased. 0.5% to $70.93 per barrel.

(source: Reuters)