KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday in line with most Asian markets, mirroring gains from Wall Street, where investors welcomed the US Federal Reserve's substantial interest rate cut. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 3.17 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,668.82 at the close from Thursday's close of 1,665.65. It opened 5.03 points higher at 1,670.68, trading between 1,668.48 and 1,674.04 throughout the session. In the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 732 to 468, while 465 counters were unchanged, 850 untraded and 32 suspended. Turnover swelled to 4.19 billion units worth RM5.97 billion, from Thursday's 3.99 billion units worth RM4.08 billion. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors head of investment research, Mohd Sedek Jantan, noted the FBM KLCI's gains were led by utilities, logistics, and banking stocks, reflecting improved market sentiment. Additiona
Artificial intelligence (AI)-themed stocks have significantly influenced the market's performance in 2024. These stocks have driven nearly half of the MSCI All Country World Index's (NASDAQ: ACWI) 11% year-to-date return. This analysis delves into the driving forces behind this trend and its implications for investors.
AI Stocks: The Market Drivers
AI-related stocks have been a major contributor to the MSCI ACWI’s performance this year. These stocks have accounted for almost 50% of the index’s gains, despite comprising only 14% of its weight. This remarkable impact underscores the growing influence of AI in the global market.
The Big Players: Nvidia and Tech Giants
Leading the charge is Nvidia (NVDA), which alone has contributed nearly 3% to the MSCI ACWI’s year-to-date return. Other significant contributors include tech giants such as Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon (AMZN), and Apple (AAPL). Together, these companies have added another 3% to the index’s performance.
High vs. Medium AI Exposure
Stocks with high exposure to AI have surged by 36% year-to-date, while those with medium exposure have seen a 9% increase. In contrast, non-AI stocks have lagged, gaining only 6% during the same period. This disparity highlights the market's preference for companies that are heavily invested in AI technologies.
Valuation and Earnings
The rise in AI stocks can be attributed to expanding price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios and upward revisions in earnings forecasts. For stocks with high AI exposure, 22% of the 36% return has been driven by P/E re-rating, while 14% has come from increased earnings expectations.
“Given the aggressive move in this group of stocks, one might expect more of the year-to-date return to come from valuations, which typically move faster than earnings estimates,” said Analyst Drew Pettit.
For stocks with medium AI exposure and non-AI groups, valuation expansion has been a positive factor, though it has been partially offset by cuts in full-year earnings estimates. Despite this, both groups have contributed positively to index advances, though not as significantly as their high-AI counterparts.
Implications for Investors
For investors, the dominance of AI stocks in driving market returns underscores the importance of being strategically positioned in this sector. The exceptional performance of companies like Nvidia and other tech giants reflects the market's optimism about AI’s transformative potential.
Conclusion: The AI Edge
AI-themed stocks have been pivotal in propelling the MSCI ACWI’s returns in 2024. As AI technologies continue to evolve and integrate into various industries, their influence on market performance is likely to persist. Investors should consider the strategic advantages of incorporating AI-exposed stocks into their portfolios to capitalize on this ongoing trend.
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