Asian stocks clock weekly gains on rate cut wagers, AI fervour

Asian stocks were poised for solid weekly gains on Friday as rising odds of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in the near-term helped cushion jitters around a US government shutdown that have pushed gold to record highs and weighed on the dollar. Investors have mostly shrugged off the government shutdown, the 15th since 1981, even as it resulted in suspension of scientific research, financial oversight and delayed crucial economic data, including the jobs report on Friday. Part of the reason for the lack of market reaction is because historically shutdowns have had limited impact on economic growth and market performance. Weiheng Chen, global investment strategist at JP Morgan Private Bank, said investors appear willing to give Washington time to resolve...