MSCI's Asia-Pacific index rose 0.8% after falling 4.6% last week, while Japan's Nikkei gained 2.5% and South Korean shares edged up. (EPA Images pic)HONG KONG: Asian markets and US equity futures made a steady start on Monday, wobbling into positive territory after a wild week where doubts about demand for computer chips sent tech-heavy markets in Asia into some of their steepest falls in years.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.8% after sliding 4.6% last week. Japan's Nikkei index added 2.5% while Korean shares made small gains.

Taiwan's benchmark rose about 2.5% after notching its heaviest weekly drop for two decades last week, when fears about AI profitability and infrastructure demand turned into a rout following wins by Democrats at US midterm polls.