Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index staged a powerful rebound on Thursday, jumping as much as 12% in early trading after suffering sharp losses over the previous two sessions. The recovery highlights renewed investor confidence in South Korean stocks, particularly major technology and manufacturing companies that had previously driven the market’s strong performance this year.
During the early session, the KOSPI surged to 5,695.64 points, representing a 12% increase at its peak. By 19:14 ET (00:14 GMT), the index remained strongly higher, trading up 10.7%, signaling a significant turnaround after the market’s recent selloff.
Much of the rebound was driven by gains in major South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both of which climbed roughly 12%. These semiconductor giants had been at the center of the index’s earlier decline but quickly regained momentum as investors returned to technology stocks tied to the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Shares of Hyundai Motor also advanced about 12%, contributing to the broader market recovery.
The recent volatility in the South Korean stock market was largely triggered by heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and growing investor concerns about the broader impact of artificial intelligence on global industries. These factors prompted heavy profit-taking and liquidation of long positions, especially after the market’s strong rally earlier this year.
Before the correction, the KOSPI had been the best-performing major stock index globally in 2026, gaining nearly 50% year-to-date and reaching multiple record highs. However, overly bullish investor positioning toward the end of February increased the market’s vulnerability to sudden sentiment shifts. When news of the U.S.-Iran conflict escalated, investors rushed to lock in profits, leading to significant selling pressure.
Despite the recent two-day downturn, the KOSPI remains up approximately 30% for the year, underscoring the resilience of South Korea’s technology-driven economy. Strong optimism surrounding the country’s leadership in semiconductors, AI technology, and advanced manufacturing continues to support investor interest in Korean equities.
Market analysts note that South Korea’s semiconductor sector, led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, remains a key driver of long-term growth. As global demand for AI chips and high-performance memory increases, South Korean companies are expected to remain central to the evolving technology landscape, helping sustain momentum in the KOSPI index in the months ahead.
