Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min
Asian stocks wobble as AI doubts meet drugmaking deals
MediaTek Dips, Akeso Rises, NSEBANK Down
The episode connects semiconductor weakness, pharmaceutical investment and India’s oil-sensitive banks into a broader test of Asia’s market resilience.
- 1Taiwanese chip stocks fell as investors questioned whether artificial-intelligence growth can sustain its recent pace.
- 2AstraZeneca’s planned $2 billion investment in Summit Therapeutics lifted attention on Akeso and cross-border oncology dealmaking.
- 3Indian banks declined as higher oil prices pressured the economy and new fee limits threatened parts of their revenue.
Don't miss
The sharpest turn comes when semiconductor anxiety gives way to AstraZeneca’s planned $2 billion investment in Summit Therapeutics and the resulting focus on Akeso.
The brief
Nathan Hager and Anthony Stevens open with weakness in Taiwanese equities after a holiday break, as investors reassess the speed and durability of AI-driven growth.
MediaTek, Yageo and Global Unichip all came under pressure, putting the semiconductor trade’s dependence on continued AI momentum in sharp relief.
The discussion then shifts to pharmaceutical dealmaking: AstraZeneca’s planned $2 billion investment in Summit Therapeutics highlights the search for innovative treatments as patents expire.
Akeso also rises in the episode’s M&A discussion, showing how Chinese research and oncology assets are drawing fresh attention from US pharmaceutical companies.
India’s banks close the market review lower as expensive oil weighs on inflation, the currency and bonds, while government fee limits add pressure.
What was said on this episode
10 statements · 5 positive · 5 negative
MediaTek, Yageo, and Global Unichip fell sharply after Taiwan’s holiday break.
“MediaTek down 7%. Yagyo down 5% and Global Unichip down 7% as well.”
Listen at 1:28
Nvidia’s strong trading is supporting TSMC’s share price.
“The reason TSMC is flat is because one of its biggest customers, Nvidia, is trading quite well.”
Listen at 1:38
Nvidia’s strength is supporting TSMC and related semiconductor stocks.
“The Nvidia-TSMC relationship is keeping that part of the market quite strong.”
Listen at 1:44
Capital is flowing toward innovations developed by Chinese researchers.
“there is a lot of money chasing innovation that is coming out of Chinese researchers.”
Listen at 2:05
US pharmaceutical companies are investing in Asia to address patent expirations.
“The US is facing quite a steep patent cliff and they're putting money to work in Asia to buy some of these innovative treatments.”
Listen at 2:10
The US pharmaceutical sector faces substantial patent expirations.
“The US is facing quite a steep patent cliff”
Listen at 2:10
Akeso shares rose 17% and led Hong Kong’s HS Bio market.
“Summit's partner, Akeso, is up 17% to lead the HS Bio in Hong Kong.”
Listen at 2:23
Dr. Reddy’s was the only major Indian stock to rise.
“Dr. Reddy's is the only major stock up in India.”
Listen at 2:33
Higher oil prices are pressuring India because it imports substantial oil volumes.
“India has been under pressure from higher oil prices given that they're a huge oil importer.”
Listen at 2:53
Indian banks declined for multiple days, falling 1% today after fee limits.
“As a result, banks have been on a multi-day slide and it's accelerating today with banks down 1%.”
Listen at 3:19
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Featuring
Nathan Hager
Anthony Stevens
MediaTek
Nvidia Corporation
Bloomberg Audio StudiosListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.