Asian Stocks Rebound as KOSPI Surges, China Signals Stimulus Amid Global Tensions

Asian stock markets rebounded sharply on Thursday, with South Korea’s KOSPI leading gains as bargain hunters returned to equities following heavy losses earlier in the week. Positive momentum from Wall Street and selective buying in key sectors helped boost regional sentiment, although investors remained cautious due to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and rising oil prices.

South Korea’s KOSPI index emerged as the strongest performer in Asia, climbing as much as 12% after two sessions of steep declines. The rebound was largely driven by dip-buying in major technology and automotive stocks that had previously powered the market to record highs. Shares of Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor jumped between 11% and 13%, recovering a portion of the losses triggered by heightened geopolitical tensions. South Korean equities had fallen sharply earlier in the week as risk aversion intensified following the escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict, which prompted widespread liquidation of long positions. The market was also vulnerable to profit-taking after rallying nearly 50% so far in 2026.

Chinese stocks also posted gains after Beijing announced its economic targets for 2026 during the National People’s Congress. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose about 1.3%, while the Shanghai Composite advanced 0.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed roughly 1%. China set its GDP growth target between 4.5% and 5%, slightly below the 5% pace recorded in recent years and marking the country’s lowest official growth target since 1991. Premier Li Qiang also outlined plans to stimulate the economy through increased fiscal spending, targeting a budget deficit of around 4% of GDP and a consumer price index goal of 2%. Authorities pledged greater investment in emerging technologies, industrial development, and consumer spending, while also announcing a 7% increase in military spending.

Elsewhere in the region, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes rose 1.5% and 1.8%, supported by a rebound in banking stocks as U.S. Treasury yields climbed overnight. Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.7%, while India’s Nifty 50 edged up 0.4% in morning trading. Australia’s ASX 200 rose modestly by 0.3%, although gains were limited by declines in major mining companies such as BHP and Rio Tinto, which traded ex-dividend.

Despite the rebound in Asian equities, global markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments in the Middle East and fluctuations in oil prices, both of which continue to influence investor risk appetite.