Taiwan Stocks Plunge Nearly 9% as AI Selloff Spreads Across Asia

Taiwan's benchmark index opened nearly 9% lower Friday in Asia as an AI-driven selloff swept regional markets, pressuring semiconductor shares and raising concerns about data-center demand.

Shares of TSMC fell nearly 10%. Investors were concerned that a shift in the U.S. political landscape could slow data-center construction and weaken growth prospects for semiconductor companies.

South Korea's KOSPI fell more than 8% at one point, triggering a circuit breaker. SK Hynix dropped 12%, and Samsung Electronics lost 10%. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell more than 6.7%, slipping below 57,000 points, while Kioxia declined 11%.

The Asian retreat followed a selloff in U.S. stocks during the prior trading session. A Democratic election win could trigger a more prolonged liquidation in AI stocks.

Oil prices rebounded as markets reassessed the chances of an end to the Iran war. The sharp post-election drop in oil may have gone too far: Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz and is unlikely to relinquish control.