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Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally

Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally. Source: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

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%.

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