Asian Markets Weigh Iran Risk, AI Rally | The Asia Trade 6/2/2026

Summary

The episode covers market reactions to ongoing Iran tensions and the AI-driven rally from Computex, with Nvidia's new PC chip and MediaTek's data center ambitions in focus. Interviews include the Tokyo Stock Exchange CEO on ETF expansion, State Street's Anna Paglia on gold's continued rally, and HSBC's Willem Sels on AI investment themes. South Korea's inflation spike and the KOSPI's record highs, driven by chip and physical AI stocks, are also discussed.

• Nvidia unveils a new PC chip, sending its shares higher and pressuring Intel and AMD.
• MediaTek expects to capture 10-15% of an $80 billion data center revenue opportunity.
• Anthropic files confidentially for an IPO, signaling a busy year for AI IPOs.
• Software and data center stocks rally as a rotation from hardware gains momentum.
• Gold is seen as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks, with State Street expecting further records.
• South Korea's inflation accelerates to 3.1%, raising hawkish expectations for the Bank of Korea.
• Physical AI stocks surge in South Korea on expectations of deeper partnership with Nvidia.
• Tokyo Stock Exchange CEO highlights corporate governance reforms and ETF expansion driving foreign inflows.