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Asian Markets
APAC markets in the green; Kospi surges 6%
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Wednesday as investors monitored renewed United States strikes on Iran and diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire, with the ongoing Middle East conflict continuing to create uncertainty for global energy markets. By 11:55 am AEST (1:55 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.2% higher, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 2%, while South Korea's KOSPI 200 surged 6%. Among data releases, South Korea's producer prices were unchanged in June as declines in petroleum prices offset gains in computer and electronics costs, according to central bank data released on Wednesday. The producer price index (PPI), considered a leading indicator for future consumer inflation, remained flat month-on-month in June, slowing from increases of 1% in May and 2.7% in April, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea. On an annual basis, producer prices increased 8.6% in June. Meanwhile, Japan's exports and imports expanded at their fastest pace since November 2022, exceeding market expectations. Japanese exports jumped 19.3% year-on-year in June, supported by strong semiconductor equipment shipments and a weaker yen. The increase surpassed forecasts for an 18.6% rise and accelerated fr
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed; M.East risks weigh on sentiment
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East, fresh United States tariffs on Canadian imports and higher oil prices. By 12 pm AEST (2 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.3% lower, while Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 1.7% and South Korea's KOSPI 200 advanced 2.5%. U.S. markets ended slightly lower on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.6%, the S&P 500 declining 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite slipping 0.1%. In commodities, ICE Brent crude futures settled 1.3% higher at US$89.22 per barrel, while spot gold eased 0.1% to close at $4,007.65 per ounce. Chinese equities advanced during Monday's session, with the SSE Composite Index rising 0.9% to 3,796.3, while the CSI 300 climbed 1.5% to 4,598.3. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 2.4% to 25,143.1, while India's BSE Sensex declined 0.6% to 77,708.5. European markets finished mixed, with the UK's FTSE 100 falling 0.7% to 10,524.8. Germany's DAX edged 0.1% higher to 24,846.7, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.02% to 8,340.11.
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed as M.East tensions weigh
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Monday as investors assessed rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East and monitored the impact of continued United States-Iran tensions on global markets. By 11:55 am AEST (1:55 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was trading flat, while Japan's Nikkei 225 remained closed for a public holiday. South Korea's KOSPI 200 fell 3.9%. Among data releases, China's one-year loan prime rate (LPR), a key market-based lending benchmark, was held unchanged at 3.0% on Monday, while the over-five-year LPR, which influences mortgage pricing, also remained steady at 3.5%, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. The moves followed a weaker finish on Wall Street on Friday, with major U.S. benchmarks closing lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.8%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.4% as semiconductor stocks continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Commodity markets reacted to heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with ICE Brent crude futures surging 4.6% on Friday to settle at US$88.10 per barrel. Spot gold also advanced 0.9%, closing at $4,013.30 per ounce. Chinese equities also came under pressure on Friday. The SSE Composite Index dropped 3.1% t
Asian Markets
APAC slides as chip rout hits Asia markets
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower on Friday as a fresh sell-off in United States semiconductor stocks spread across the region, intensifying concerns over stretched artificial intelligence valuations and future AI-related spending. By 11:50 am AEST (1:50 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 had fallen 0.7%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 4%. South Korea's KOSPI 200 was closed for a public holiday. Japanese technology shares led the regional decline, with SoftBank Group tumbling 8.7%, and Tokyo Electron dropping 8%, as investors reacted to heavy losses across U.S. chip stocks overnight. The weakness followed a difficult session on Wall Street, where major benchmarks ended lower as semiconductor stocks came under pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.2%, the S&P 500 lost 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.5%. In commodities markets, Brent crude futures slipped 0.9% to settle at US$84.23 per barrel, while spot gold declined 2.1% to close at US$3,975.77 an ounce. Chinese markets also weakened, with the SSE Composite Index falling 1.9% to 3,882.4 and the CSI 300 declining 1.9% to 4,698.4. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index bucked the regional trend, rising 1.3% to 25,008.6, while India's B
Asian Markets
APAC markets decline; semiconductor stocks tumble
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower on Thursday, with regional benchmarks weighed down by a sharp sell-off in technology stocks following weakness in United States semiconductor shares overnight. By 12:20 pm AEST (2:20 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.3%, Japan's Nikkei 225 had fallen 3.1%, and South Korea's KOSPI 200 had slumped 7.0%. Asian semiconductor stocks came under heavy selling pressure as losses in U.S. chipmakers spilled into the region, while SK Hynix continued to experience heightened volatility following its U.S. listing last week. Shares of SK Hynix dropped 11.1% in Seoul, reversing the previous session's 8.0% rally. The stock had recorded its steepest-ever one-day decline on Monday as investors took profits amid growing concerns over the sustainability of AI-related spending. Domestic rival Samsung Electronics tumbled 9.3%, while Seoul Semiconductor lost 6.6%. Among economic developments, South Korea's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%, marking its first rate increase since January 2023. The decision was in line with market expectations as policymakers responded to gradually rising inflation. Overnight in the United States, major benchmark indi

Asian Markets
APAC markets rise; Kospi jumps nearly 7%
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Wednesday as investors welcomed softer-than-expected United States inflation data, boosting expectations that the Federal Reserve may slow the pace of further monetary tightening. By 12 pm AEST (2 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.3%, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.9%, while South Korea's KOSPI surged 6.9% to lead regional markets. Japanese industrial heavyweight Mitsubishi Heavy Industries climbed 4.9% after a Nikkei Asia report said the company had partnered with Nvidia to develop cooling systems and energy management equipment for AI data centres. The collaboration is expected to improve energy efficiency at next-generation AI facilities as Nvidia expands its global network of "AI factories" with strategic partners. South Korea's labour market showed signs of improvement, with employment rising by 63,000 jobs in June from a year earlier, marking the first annual increase in two months. The number of employed people rose to 29.15 million from 29.09 million a year earlier, according to government data. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 2.7% from 2.8% in May. However, Japan's core machinery orders disappointed sharply, falling 12.4% month-on-mont
Asian Markets
APAC markets fall; traders monitor M.East developments
Asia-Pacific markets started the week lower on Tuesday as investors reacted to renewed Unite States-Iran tensions after President Donald Trump announced plans to impose shipping fees in the Strait of Hormuz and reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports. By 12 pm AEST (2 GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.4% lower, Japan's Nikkei 225 had declined 0.4%, and South Korea's KOSPI 200 fell 0.7%. Among data releases, Australian consumer sentiment improved in July, with the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rising 4.1% to 83.9 from 80.6 in June. However, Westpac Head of Australian Macro-Forecasting Matthew Hassan warned that sentiment remained deeply pessimistic. "Despite the gain, sentiment remains deeply pessimistic. At 83.9, the latest Index read is still in the bottom 10% of results over the 50-year history of the survey. "Some of the July improvement looks to be relief that ‘worst case’ scenarios – around energy prices, interest rates and jobs – are not playing out. "However, family finances are clearly under intense pressure and the outlook is uncertain. Sentiment also remains hostage to developments abroad with daily responses showing a significant weakening as the situation in the Strait
Asian Markets
APAC markets fall as US-Iran tensions weigh
Asia-Pacific markets opened the week broadly lower on Monday as investors assessed renewed tensions in the Middle East after Iran targeted U.S. facilities across several Gulf countries over the weekend and declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. U.S. President Donald Trump disputed the claim on Sunday. In comments given during a telephone interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press programme, saying the key shipping route remained open to commercial traffic, but concerns over a potential escalation in the conflict weighed on regional sentiment. By 12:00 pm AEST (2:00 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.3% lower, Japan's Nikkei 225 had declined 1.7%, and South Korea's KOSPI 200 dropped 5.4%. Wall Street provided a stronger lead on Friday, with major U.S. benchmarks finishing higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.3%, the S&P 500 advanced 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.3%. In commodities, ICE Brent crude futures eased 0.4% on Friday to settle at US$76.01 a barrel, while spot gold declined 0.3% to finish at $4,111.51 an ounce. Chinese equities ended lower on Friday, with the Shanghai Composite Index falling 1% to 3,996.2 and the CSI 300 declining 2% to 4,780.8. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index
Asian Markets
APAC markets rise as chip rally lifts Kospi over 4%
Asian-Pacific markets advanced on Friday as investors focused on renewed strength in semiconductor stocks, largely overlooking a fresh escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions. By 11:45 am AEST (1:45 am GMT), Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.2%, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 2.1%, and South Korea's KOSPI 200 surged 4.5%. South Korean memory-chip giant SK Hynix rose 1.5% ahead of its highly anticipated Nasdaq debut during Friday's U.S. trading session, while Japan's semiconductor equipment maker Tokyo Electron jumped 4%, SoftBank surged 11.4%. The broader semiconductor rally continued to support regional equities, with investors betting that strong artificial intelligence demand and robust chip earnings can extend gains across technology markets. Among economic data releases, Japan's corporate goods prices accelerated in June at the fastest pace since early 2023, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan may continue raising interest rates. The producer price index (PPI), which measures input prices for Japanese businesses, increased 7.1% year-on-year in June, according to the Bank of Japan. The figure exceeded market expectations for a 6.8% increase, while May's reading was revised higher. On a monthly basis, corpor