July 16, 2026, (Inside AI) — Global investors poured a near-record $120.8 billion into U.S. stocks in May, the second-highest monthly inflow ever, according to Treasury International Capital data released this week. The surge underscores an unshakeable “fear of missing out” on Wall Street’s AI-driven rally, even as doubts swirl around tech spending and volatility rocks Asian AI hubs.
The $120.8 billion net purchase by foreign private investors in May topped April’s $85.6 billion and trailed only November 2024’s record. The buying spree coincided with a 5% gain in the S&P 500 and a 16% surge in its tech sector. Yet the appetite for U.S. equities starkly contrasts with fleeing capital from South Korea and Taiwan, two pillars of the global AI supply chain.
“It's still really, really hard to see evidence that the rest of the world is shunning U.S. assets,” said Kit Juckes, head of FX strategy at Societe Generale in London.
The Great AI Capital Migration
While Wall Street attracts historic sums, non-resident investors yanked $27.9 billion from South Korean stocks in May, with outflows deepening to $30.5 billion in June—the largest in over 25 years, per Institute of International Finance data. Taiwan saw $18.3 billion in foreign outflows in June, the second-biggest on record after March’s $28.7 billion exodus.
Year-to-date, foreigners have sold nearly $100 billion of South Korean equities and $20 billion of Taiwanese stocks. These markets, dominated by AI giants like SK Hynix, Samsung, and TSMC, have swung wildly—realized volatility hit historic peaks—fueling speculation that retail leverage, not just AI skepticism, is driving the turbulence.
The divergence reveals a structural preference: global investors view U.S. markets as a safer, deeper AI play. The S&P 500’s software index is down 17% this year, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has soared 75%, highlighting a rotation from AI spenders to chipmakers. But the broader U.S. tech complex remains the default destination for AI exposure.
Beneath the Surface: Risks the TIC Data Conceals
The TIC data, though authoritative, lags by weeks. June brought tremors to U.S. tech—both hyperscalers and semiconductor firms faced selling pressure—raising questions about whether the May inflows held. If foreign demand faltered in June, it would signal that the AI exceptionalism trade is fraying at the edges.
South Korea and Taiwan’s volatility may also reflect structural quirks. Highly leveraged retail investors dominate these markets, amplifying swings. A 2025 Bank for International Settlements report noted that margin debt in Korea’s equity market reached 180% of GDP, making it uniquely prone to cascading selloffs. This domestic froth, rather than a verdict on AI’s future, could be repelling foreign capital.
Yet the scale of outflows from Asia’s AI bellwethers cannot be dismissed. If global investors truly believed in the AI narrative, they would likely buy the dip in TSMC or SK Hynix—firms with direct exposure to chip demand. Instead, they are consolidating bets in U.S. exchanges, where liquidity and regulatory predictability offer comfort.
The May data confirms that FOMO remains a powerful force. But with the Federal Reserve’s rate path uncertain and AI capex returns under scrutiny, the next TIC report will be a critical litmus test. For now, Wall Street’s AI magnet is pulling harder than ever.
