South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
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.
