Asia stocks rise as AI rally lifts SK Hynix, markets watch Trump-Xi summit

Asia-Pacific stocks rose May 14, 2026, as AI-linked buying lifted regional benchmarks and pushed SK Hynix toward a $1 trillion market value, while investors awaited meetings in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific shares index excluding Japan gained 1.2%, near last week’s record. Japan’s Nikkei reached a new all-time high, and South Korea’s KOSPI rose 1.7%, extending its 2026 advance to 88%. SK Hynix has gained more than 200% this year and is close to becoming South Korea’s second trillion-dollar company after Samsung. European futures signaled a higher open, and U.S. stock futures rose 0.23%. Brent crude was little changed at $105.76 a barrel and WTI traded at $101.14, keeping inflation risks in focus. The dollar firmed after hotter U.S. producer and consumer inflation data led some traders to price in a possible Federal Reserve rate increase in the first half of 2027.