Asia Equities First-Half 2026: Best and Worst Performers Amid Geopolitical and AI Volatility
Asian stock markets experienced significant swings in the first half of 2026, driven by Iran-related tensions and shifting AI investment trends. Federal Reserve policy expectations and energy supply recovery also influenced market performance.
Asian equity markets posted a wide divergence in returns during the first half of 2026, as geopolitical risks and AI-linked sector rotations created sharp swings. Tensions involving Iran weighed on sentiment in certain markets, while optimism around artificial intelligence investments boosted others.
Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations continued to shape capital flows across the region. Meanwhile, the gradual recovery in energy supply helped stabilize some resource-dependent economies, contributing to the relative outperformance of certain indices.
The full list of best and worst performers reflects the interplay of these factors, with no single trend dominating the regional landscape.
Source: First Squawk