Indonesia is making tangible progress toward meeting MSCI inclusion requirements. The country is increasing free float, removing some stocks from the index, and making personnel changes. While MSCI has delayed a decision until November, the direction of travel is constructive and inclusion seems likely, which would support Indonesian equities.
Taiwan is the preferred market for the AI/semiconductor play over Korea. TSMC has a stronger position, and Taiwan exhibits less leverage and margin lending excess than Korea, making it a cleaner long-term vehicle for the AI theme.
Chinese banks are attractive because the flow of deposits leaving China for Hong Kong has slowed, keeping liquidity onshore. At the same time, trillions of yuan in time deposits are rolling over at meaningfully lower rates, which will improve net interest margins for the banks.
Margins for Chinese internet names are likely to improve as the intense competitive pressure and price wars that have characterized the sector over the past year are finally starting to weaken.