Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
China Expands Influence in Global Gold Market 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Asian stocks traded mixed on Tuesday as strong gains in South Korean semiconductor shares boosted the region’s technology sector, while rising oil prices, higher U.S. Treasury yields and expectations for tighter monetary policy limited broader risk appetite.
South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 2.3%, led by chipmakers benefiting from continued optimism around artificial intelligence demand. SK Hynix surged 5.7% to 1.884 million won, while Samsung Electronics gained 3.2% to 278,500 won. South Korea’s economy also expanded 0.6% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, beating expectations for 0.2% growth as semiconductor exports remained strong.
Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5%. The MSCI Asia Pacific index advanced 0.4%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing rose 1%, and Japan’s Kioxia gained 1.2%, although other technology suppliers including TDK, Murata Manufacturing, LG Innotek and Sony declined.
Investors remained cautious after a stronger U.S. employment report increased expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Markets are pricing roughly a 60% chance of a 25-basis-point increase at the Fed’s September 16 meeting. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 4.788%, with Friday’s inflation report expected to provide further direction.
Oil prices extended their advance for a third session amid continued tensions surrounding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose about 0.5% to $97.46 per barrel after Iran warned of retaliation against further attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure.
In China, the CSI 300 edged 0.06% higher and the Shanghai Composite gained 0.36%. August exports jumped 25% year-on-year, while imports increased 28.2%, signaling resilient trade activity. Hong Kong technology stocks remained weaker, with Xiaomi, Baidu and Tencent declining.
Japan’s second-quarter economic growth was revised higher to an annualized 1.4%, while July real wages increased 2.4%. The stronger figures reinforced expectations that the Bank of Japan could raise interest rates next week.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8%, Singapore’s Straits Times dropped 0.4%, India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.4%, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite gained 0.7%.
