A strategist at IG International estimates that upcoming major AI-related IPOs could lead to an additional $60 billion in AI capital expenditures.

Japanese trading houses have performed well financially, partly due to being favored investments of Warren Buffett.

There is concern among some market participants that capital may flow out of markets like South Korea to be invested in major upcoming US tech IPOs.

There is speculation about a potential partnership between SpaceX and Taiwan's MediaTek.

The Bank of Japan believes the upside risks of rising prices outweigh the potential negative impact of a rate hike on the economy.

Bank of Japan officials are considered very likely to discuss a 0.25 percentage point interest rate hike at their upcoming meeting.

Bank of Japan officials are also considering a second potential interest rate hike later in 2024.

Shares of Japanese MLCC makers Taiyo Yuden and Murata have both increased by approximately 100% in the past month.

Investors are broadening their AI-related investments beyond mega-caps like Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC to include Japanese companies further down the supply chain.

South Korea's KOSPI index was down approximately 0.5% due to declines in its major chipmaker stocks.

South Korea's two largest chipmakers, Samsung and SK Hynix, account for half of the overall KOSPI index weighting.

Japanese companies Taiyo Yuden and Murata dominate the market for MLCCs (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors).

China's first-quarter GDP grew 5% year-over-year, surpassing the estimate of 4.8% and the prior period's growth of 4.5%.

TSMC sources helium from the Middle East, and executives have stated that a prolonged war in the region will negatively impact the company's profits.

Market expectations for a Bank of Japan rate hike this month have fallen from around 50% to 30% due to uncertainty from the Iran war.

Following its latest results, analysts revised TSMC's price target upwards by an average of 6%.

Japanese companies are finding it more difficult to pass on rising import costs to consumers now because they have already raised prices over the past year.

China's retail sales figures came in below expectations, indicating weakness in domestic demand.

TSMC's capital expenditure is expected to be on the higher end of its estimated range due to strong AI-related demand.

Japanese companies like Sanrio are concerned about rising utility and transport costs related to higher resource prices stemming from the Iran war.