Asian Shares Climb on AI Optimism, Tech Leads Gains

Asian equities advanced on Monday, June 1, 2026, as a wave of optimism surrounding artificial intelligence lifted technology stocks across the region. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.8%, while South Korea’s Kospi added 1.2%, driven by semiconductor heavyweights. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged 0.4% higher, buoyed by AI-related firms. Shares of chipmakers rallied after a bullish industry report projected a 15% jump in AI server shipments this year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. gained 2.1% in Taipei, and Samsung Electronics climbed 1.5% in Seoul. The upbeat sentiment offset lingering concerns over global interest rates, pushing MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan up 0.6%. In China, the CSI 300 index inched up 0.2% as traders brushed off mixed manufacturing data. Analysts said the AI theme continues to provide a strong narrative for equity markets, with institutional investors rotating into sectors tied to automation and data centers.