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ASIA STOCKS: Equities Mixed, Kospi Surges On K-Chips Act, HK Stocks Slip

ASIA STOCKS
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Asian markets are mixed today, South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.1% to its highest level since September, driven by gains in Samsung, SK Hynix, and LG Energy after Intel’s rally fueled chip optimism. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks retreated as Baidu’s earnings disappointed and the recent tech rally showed signs of exhaustion, with analysts warning of a potential pullback. Investors remain cautious after Donald Trump threatened fresh 25% tariffs on autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, weighing on Japanese and Taiwanese stocks. Despite geopolitical concerns, Chinese investors continued to pour money into Hong Kong equities, with Tuesday’s inflows marking the largest daily purchase since early 2021, as per BBG.

  • Semiconductors: Intel’s 16% rally overnight boosted sentiment around chips, the SOX also closed 1.68% higher, the move came on the back of speculation of a breakup deal involving TSMC and Broadcom. South Korean semiconductor stocks are higher on growing expectations for the K-Chips Act, which would increase tax deductions for facility investments. Samsung rose 3.4%, SK hynix gained 4.05%, and Hanmi Semiconductor soared 9.50%. Meanwhile, China’s semiconductor stocks extended gains, with Morgan Stanley highlighting increasing self-sufficiency in 2025. TSMC and Japanese chip stocks faced pressure after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on semiconductor imports.
  • Chinese robotics stocks jumped after Unitree’s CEO forecasted significant industry growth by year-end. The AI-driven rally in Hong Kong tech stocks, fueled by DeepSeek’s advancements and Xi Jinping’s meeting with business leaders, faced resistance as Baidu’s weak earnings triggered profit-taking.
  • NAB tumbled over 8% on weaker earnings, while HSBC hit an 11-year high before slipping ahead of earnings.
  • Key Benchmarks: Japan's Nikkei -0.5%, while TOPIX is -0.40%, Hong Kong's HSI -0.30%, China's CSI 300 +0.40%, Taiwan's TAIEX is flat, South Korea's KOSPI is +2.1%, Australia's ASX 200 -0.85% while New Zealand's NZX 50 -0.15%.

 

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Asian markets are mixed today, South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.1% to its highest level since September, driven by gains in Samsung, SK Hynix, and LG Energy after Intel’s rally fueled chip optimism. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks retreated as Baidu’s earnings disappointed and the recent tech rally showed signs of exhaustion, with analysts warning of a potential pullback. Investors remain cautious after Donald Trump threatened fresh 25% tariffs on autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, weighing on Japanese and Taiwanese stocks. Despite geopolitical concerns, Chinese investors continued to pour money into Hong Kong equities, with Tuesday’s inflows marking the largest daily purchase since early 2021, as per BBG.

  • Semiconductors: Intel’s 16% rally overnight boosted sentiment around chips, the SOX also closed 1.68% higher, the move came on the back of speculation of a breakup deal involving TSMC and Broadcom. South Korean semiconductor stocks are higher on growing expectations for the K-Chips Act, which would increase tax deductions for facility investments. Samsung rose 3.4%, SK hynix gained 4.05%, and Hanmi Semiconductor soared 9.50%. Meanwhile, China’s semiconductor stocks extended gains, with Morgan Stanley highlighting increasing self-sufficiency in 2025. TSMC and Japanese chip stocks faced pressure after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on semiconductor imports.
  • Chinese robotics stocks jumped after Unitree’s CEO forecasted significant industry growth by year-end. The AI-driven rally in Hong Kong tech stocks, fueled by DeepSeek’s advancements and Xi Jinping’s meeting with business leaders, faced resistance as Baidu’s weak earnings triggered profit-taking.
  • NAB tumbled over 8% on weaker earnings, while HSBC hit an 11-year high before slipping ahead of earnings.
  • Key Benchmarks: Japan's Nikkei -0.5%, while TOPIX is -0.40%, Hong Kong's HSI -0.30%, China's CSI 300 +0.40%, Taiwan's TAIEX is flat, South Korea's KOSPI is +2.1%, Australia's ASX 200 -0.85% while New Zealand's NZX 50 -0.15%.