Asian Stocks Hit Early 2021 Highs as AI Optimism Outweighs Venezuela Risks

ASIAN MARKET - JAKARTA. Emerging Asian equities rose to the highest point in nearly five years on Monday, led by record gains in Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, as investors stayed focused on AI-linked assets, unfazed by U.S. military action in Venezuela.

Equities kicked off the year on a strong note: the MSCI index of emerging Asia equities jumped 2% to its highest since late February 2021, while a gauge of ASEAN stocks touched its highest level since late January 2020.