Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI index climbed to an all-time high on Tuesday, driven largely by strong gains in technology stocks, particularly semiconductor giants benefiting from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The benchmark index surged as much as 2.2%, reaching a record 6,355.39 points, reflecting growing investor confidence in memory chip makers and their expanding role in the global AI supply chain.
A major contributor to the rally was SK Hynix Inc, which jumped over 4% to hit a record high. The stock extended its upward momentum after the company announced it had begun mass production of a key high-performance memory module designed for advanced AI processors developed by Nvidia. As one of Nvidia’s primary suppliers, SK Hynix has seen significant growth fueled by rising demand for AI-driven technologies, including data centers and machine learning systems.
Investor sentiment toward SK Hynix has also been supported by ongoing discussions about its profitability, although some recent online speculation about profit-sharing has been unfounded. Despite this, the company continues to benefit from strong fundamentals tied to the booming semiconductor and AI industries.
Samsung Electronics, another major player in the global chip market, also saw its shares rise by approximately 2%, nearing its own record high. The performance of both SK Hynix and Samsung highlights the strength of South Korea’s semiconductor sector, which remains a key driver of the country’s stock market.
Beyond technology stocks, broader market optimism was fueled by geopolitical developments. Reports suggesting that the United States and Iran may resume peace talks ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline helped boost global risk appetite. This positive sentiment extended across Asian markets, further supporting gains in the KOSPI.
Overall, the surge in South Korean stocks underscores the growing importance of AI-related industries and the pivotal role of memory chip manufacturers in shaping future market trends.
