AI Boom Fuels Asian Stocks Even as Oil Climbs | Insight with Haslinda Amin 08/12/2026

Summary

The episode examines the AI-driven rally in Asian stocks, with South Korea's Kospi surging despite high oil prices. Invesco's Fiona Yang sees compelling opportunities in Korean memory chips after a sharp correction, as well as in equipment makers, AI hardware component suppliers, and value-up stocks. She also highlights Chinese internet platforms as early in the AI investment cycle. Other segments cover Strait of Hormuz oil supply risks, India's inflation outlook, and AI adoption in banking.

• Crude oil extends gains on Strait of Hormuz supply risks, with Brent approaching $90.
• South Korea's Kospi rallies over 5%, triggering sidecar, driven by AI-related earnings from Super Micro and CoreWeave.
• Invesco's Fiona Yang argues Korean memory stocks like Samsung and SK Hynix are attractive after their price halving, as demand and capacity constraints persist.
• Yang also points to Korean equipment makers, construction companies, and AI hardware component suppliers as beneficiaries of memory capex and the AI supercycle.
• Korean value-up stocks (non-tech, below book) are highlighted as bottom-up opportunities amid shareholder-friendly reforms.
• Chinese internet platforms (Tencent, JD, Baidu) are seen as early in AI investment, with a narrowing technology gap boosting confidence.
• South Korea announces a new sovereign wealth fund of over $700 million targeting AI, robotics, and strategic industries.
• India's July CPI is expected to edge lower, keeping the RBI on a dovish hold; Standard Chartered discusses responsible AI adoption in banking.