Asia’s rally builds on shifting rate bets and AI conviction

Fidelity

Equities across the region have moved higher in recent days, with broad indices touching levels not seen in months. The rise has been steady, pointing to a deeper re-assessment among investors about what lies ahead for global positioning.

Much of the shift can be traced to the growing belief that interest-rate policy in the United States could turn supportive sooner than markets had previously assumed. With political gridlock delaying official data releases, the absence of hard numbers has only amplified the focus on expectations.

The ongoing excitement surrounding artificial intelligence has intensified. Technology and semiconductor stocks in particular have led the rally, with Taiwan and South Korea seeing outsized moves as investors position for demand tied to AI infrastructure.

This blend of cyclical and structural factors has given Asia’s emerging markets their strongest weekly performance in months. The fact that these gains have come despite currency concerns and uneven growth patterns highlights how much weight investors are placing on the twin narratives of policy easing and technological transformation.

Fidelity Asian Values Plc (LON:FAS) provides shareholders with a differentiated equity exposure to Asian Markets. Asia is the world’s fastest-growing economic region and the trust looks to capitalise on this by finding good businesses, run by good people and buying them at a good price.

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In-demand Asian small-cap value stocks drive Fidelity Asian Values NAV up 16.2%

Fidelity Asian Values reported strong performance in its August 2025 monthly factsheet. The Trust’s NAV rose 16.2% over the 12 months to 31 August 2025, ahead of its reference index which gained 7.8%, while the share price increased 20.4% over the same period.

Fidelity Asian Values reports 17% share price rise over 12 months 

The Trust’s NAV rose 12.4% over the 12 months to 31 July 2025, ahead of the index at 7.1%, with the share price up 17.0%. Stock selection was the key driver of relative performance, with holdings in China and Hong Kong adding value, while overweight exposure to Indonesia detracted.

Fidelity favours investing in Chinese small and mid-cap companies (LON:FAS)

Fidelity Asian Values Investment Director Himalee Bahl highlights the Trust’s disciplined value-focused approach amid market uncertainty. By targeting undervalued small and mid-cap companies across China, Indonesia, and South Korea, the Trust avoids momentum-driven areas such as AI-related stocks in Taiwan and expensive Indian small caps.

Fidelity Asian Values significantly outperforms its index over 1 year (LON:FAS)

Over the 12 months to 30 June 2025, the Trust’s NAV rose 4.9%, outperforming its reference index which fell 0.1%, while the share price gained 6.9%. Stock selection was the key driver, with contrarian positions in China and Australia and picks in materials and consumer staples adding value, though an overweight in Indonesian small caps detracted.

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Fidelity Asian Values outperforms with contrarian small-cap strategy

Discover how Fidelity Asian Values plc (LON:FAS) leverages a contrarian approach to invest in smaller Asian companies, driving substantial returns and outperforming benchmarks.

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