ASIA STOCKS: BI Optimism; Strong Tech Surge; Trump Xi Summit

Ahead of the Central Bank decision later the Jakarta Composite is up +0.60% - leading other SE Asia major bourses - as consensus estimates heavily expect BI to maintain its benchmark interest rate flat at 5.75%. Investors are drawing confidence from BI's expansion of macroprudential incentives and liquidity measures aimed at stimulating credit growth in the real sector and defending the Rupiah against external headwinds, rather than simply raising rates. With Japan still out, it was up to the KOSPI as the lead indicator for AI tech sentiment and it led regional gains, up +0.51% and now up for a fourth consecutive trading day. Sentiment was heavily boosted by back-to-back record closes for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite overnight. Renewed global optimism over artificial intelligence demand sparked a massive rally in U.S. chipmakers (such as Micron (+4.9%) and Arm (+3.2%), providing a powerful tailwind for Seoul's tech giants. Samsung again outperformed with gains of +2.5% whilst SK Hynix could only manage +0.50%. To qualify for Samsung's high-conviction third-quarter dividend, investors are required to purchase shares by 28 September (ahead of the 30 September base date). This spar