Today's Asia Stocks Pulse
Japan and South Korea equities hit record highs as investors weigh Iran tensions
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi posted fresh all‑time highs, buoyed by strong domestic earnings and a pivotal wage settlement at Samsung Electronics. The rally unfolded while markets assessed the impact of U.S. strikes in Iran and the fragile cease‑fire talks. Oil prices held gains as Asian shares climbed on the geopolitical backdrop.
Markets Shrug Off Geopolitics as AI Rally Drives Record Highs Ahead of Central Bank Super Week
Asian equity markets surged to fresh record highs this week, with the KOSPI up over 2.5% and the Nikkei gaining more than 1.5%. The rally is driven largely by an AI‑focused risk‑on wave, while investors have relegated the US‑Iran cease‑fire and other geopolitical headlines to background noise. Attention now pivots to a packed central‑bank calendar, where policy language – rather than outright rate moves – will shape market direction. The week culminates in a "Super Thursday" of ECB and BoE meetings, amplifying volatility in rates and currencies.
TM's 75% Dividend Boost Sparks Stock Surge, Sets GLC Trend
TM spiked 6% at lunch break. Partly sebab umum dividend payout polisi dipertingkat kpd min 75% (sebelum ini 40-60%) di bayar setiap qtr (sebelum ini 2x setahun). Adakah ini akan drive other GLCs to follow? Maybank report: “TM’s revised dividend policy...
Chinese A‑share ETFs Shed HK$701 Bn in a Week as Investors Retreat
Chinese A‑share ETFs experienced net outflows of HK$701.92 bn (about $90 bn) in the week of April 20‑24, pulling the total market size down to HK$5.14 trn. The pull‑back hit broad‑based stock ETFs hardest, with the four largest managers each losing over HK$100 bn.
Hong Kong IPOs Raise $18 B in 2026, Keeping City Top Global Fundraiser
Hong Kong’s equity market has pulled in more than HK$140 billion (about $18 billion) in IPO proceeds this year, reaffirming its status as the world’s top fundraising hub. The surge comes with record daily trading volumes of over HK$280 billion and heightened regulatory...
Nikkei 225 Hits Record 59,716.18, Marks Third Straight Weekly Gain
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 0.97% to a historic 59,716.18 on April 25, 2026, delivering a 2.1% weekly gain and marking the index’s third consecutive week of advances. The broader Topix eked out a marginal rise, signaling sustained optimism across...
Nifty Histogram Signals Wave 2 Pullback; USDINR Weakens
Nifty Histogram signal - A wave 2 pullback - USDINR is the weak link - I... https://t.co/V8f9CQAFPA via @YouTube
Taiwan Index Nears 40,000 Points as TSMC Boosts Rally
Taiwan's benchmark weighted index surged 1,218 points to 38,932.4 on Friday, edging close to the psychological 40,000‑point barrier. The rally was anchored by a 105‑TWD jump in TSMC shares, which alone contributed 838 points, while foreign investors poured roughly $3.8 bn...
JPMorgan Cuts India to Neutral, Boosts Asian Tech Amid AI Surge
JPMorgan has downgraded Indian equities to a Neutral rating and increased its allocation to Asian technology, especially Taiwan, as AI‑driven market dynamics accelerate. The bank cites rising inflation, earnings pressure and India's limited exposure to next‑gen tech as key reasons...
South Korea's KOSPI Surpasses 6,500, Powered by Tech Earnings and Fed Outlook
The KOSPI topped 6,500 for the first time, buoyed by robust earnings from Samsung Electronics and other big‑tech firms, while foreign investors poured in. Analysts say the rally reflects profit momentum outweighing geopolitical risks and a hopeful Fed stance.
10 Well-Known Stocks Down up to 70% in a Year Amid FII Selloff. Do You Own Any?
A recent ETMarkets analysis highlights ten prominent Indian equities that have slumped up to 70% over the past year as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) dramatically cut their stakes. ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IRCTC, HCL Technologies, Cipla, FirstCry, BLS International, Info...
JP Morgan Downgrades India Equities to 'Neutral', Bets on Asia Tech Amid AI-Led Shift
JP Morgan has downgraded Indian equities to a Neutral stance, citing elevated valuations, earnings pressure and scant exposure to AI‑driven sectors. The firm is simultaneously boosting its allocation to technology‑heavy Asian markets, especially Taiwan, as AI momentum accelerates across the region....
JEP, XMH Chairs up Stakes; AGT Becomes OKP Substantial Shareholder
Institutional investors sold a net S$631 million ($467 m) of Singapore equities between April 17‑23, pushing the first‑half outflow to S$1.03 billion ($762 m). JEP’s CEO Andy Luong and XMH’s chairman Tan Tin Yeow each increased their personal stakes, while AGT Global Growth Fund expanded its holding...
Stocks to Buy Under ₹100: Sumeet Bagadia Recommends Three Stocks to Buy on Monday - 27 April 2026
The Indian equity market posted a third consecutive decline on April 24, with the Nifty slipping 1.10% to 23,907 and the Sensex down 1.28% amid tech‑sector sell‑offs and higher oil prices driven by Middle‑East tensions. Technical analysis by Choice Broking’s Sumeet Bagadia...
Shanghai Composite Falls 0.58% as Energy Metals and Lithium Rally Amid A‑Share Slump
China's A‑share market slipped in midday trade on April 24, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.58% to 4,069.37 points. Energy‑metal, lithium and semiconductor concepts posted gains, while the broader market saw the Shenzhen and ChiNext indices fall over 1% and...
China's Commerce Ministry Rejects EU Sanctions as Asian Stocks Show Mixed Gains
China's commerce ministry voiced firm opposition to the EU's 20th round of sanctions on Russian-linked Chinese entities, demanding their removal. The stance coincided with a mixed performance across Asian markets, where Japan's Nikkei rose 0.97% while other regional indices slipped.
Asian Equities Wobble as US‑Iran Tensions Lift Oil, Mixed Market Moves
Asian stocks slipped on Friday as renewed US‑Iran tensions pushed Brent crude above $106 a barrel. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.45% while China, Hong Kong and South Korea fell, leaving the MSCI Asia‑Pacific index up only 0.3% on the day.
South Korea Greenlights Single‑Stock ETFs and 2x Leveraged Funds, Expanding Derivative‑Like Tools
South Korea's Financial Services Commission approved amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the FSCMA, permitting single‑stock ETFs and exchange‑traded notes with up to 200% leverage. The rules take effect on April 28, with the first leveraged ETFs expected to list on...
ASX 200 Builds Technical Base as Geopolitical Tensions Hit Commodities
The ASX 200 closed slightly lower on Friday but held above the 8,735 Renko base, signaling a technical floor amid a 17.9% plunge in IGO and a 5.7% drop in Fortescue. Geopolitical pressure on oil and a looming CPI report...
Nikkei Hits Record 59,716 as Tech Earnings Outshine Middle East Tensions
Japan's Nikkei 225 closed at a record 59,716.18, up 0.97% on the day and 2.1% for the week, as strong earnings from AI‑related tech firms offset lingering geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. The rally underscores renewed investor confidence in...
Stock Market Crash: Nifty 50 to Sensex — Has Dalal Street Discounted the US-Iran War?
The Nifty 50 and Sensex have retreated below the 24,000 and 77,000 marks after a brief rebound from the US‑Iran war shock, settling near 23,800 and 76,900 respectively. Analysts say the initial geopolitical jolt has been priced in, but rising Brent...
India's Sensex Drops 2,600 Points Over Three Sessions as Oil Prices Surge
The BSE Sensex shed more than 2,600 points across three trading sessions, while the NSE Nifty fell below the 24,000 mark, as Brent crude surged to $107 per barrel. Geopolitical friction between the United States and Iran and a weakening...
Samsung Biologics Q1 Profit Jumps 46% as Biopharma Demand Surges, but Labor Unrest Looms
Samsung Biologics posted a 45.9% jump in first‑quarter profit to KRW 640.6 billion (≈$493 million) on 25.8% revenue growth, underscoring booming biotech manufacturing demand. At the same time, its labor union warned of a May 1 strike if management does not address accountability concerns,...
AI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings
The AI boom has propelled Taiwan’s stock market past the United Kingdom, reaching roughly $4.3 trillion, while South Korea is within $140 billion of overtaking it. The surge is driven by massive gains in AI‑related chipmakers—TSMC, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix—whose shares have...
Tokyo and Seoul Stocks Reach Record Peaks as Manila Jeepney Drivers Strike Over Fuel Costs
Tokyo and Seoul stock exchanges surged to record levels this week, driven by AI‑related earnings and higher oil prices, while Manila’s jeepney drivers launched a strike last month over soaring fuel costs. Economists warn the divergent trends could deepen stagflation...
AI Chip Surge Elevates Taiwan, Korea in Global Equity Rankings
The artificial‑intelligence chip boom is reshaping global equity markets, propelling Taiwan and South Korea ahead of Europe’s largest economies. Taiwan’s stock market now totals roughly $4.3 trillion, nudging the United Kingdom into third place, while South Korea sits about $140 billion shy...
Vietnam’s VN Index Beats FTSE 100 YTD, FTSE Russell Upgrade Sparks $5‑6 Bn Inflow
Vietnam’s VN index has outpaced the UK’s FTSE 100 in year‑to‑date returns, buoyed by a FTSE Russell upgrade from frontier to secondary emerging market. Analysts expect the move to channel $5‑6 bn of foreign money into a market valued at roughly...
Regional Equity Investors Find Little to Cheer
Thai equities remained under pressure as the SET index slipped 1.8% to 1,456.10 points, driven by foreign selling of 5.86 bn baht and concerns over an upcoming MSCI rebalance that could trim the market’s weight. Retail investors provided a modest cushion,...
US Futures Slip on Iran Talks, Boosting Pressure on Asian Markets as SK Hynix Posts Record Profit
US equity futures slipped 0.1% as Iran‑U.S. negotiations stalled, reigniting concerns over Middle‑East volatility. The dip hit Asian markets hard, even as South Korea’s SK Hynix posted record quarterly profits, underscoring a split between macro risk and strong corporate earnings...
Hyundai Steel Posts $12 M Operating Profit in Q1 as Sales Rise 3.2%
Hyundai Steel posted a 15.7 billion‑won ($12 million) operating profit for Q1 2026, narrowing its net loss to 41 billion won ($31 million) as sales rose 3.2% to 5.74 trillion won ($4.4 billion). The result comes as peers report mixed earnings and India‑South Korea trade talks...
Malaysia's FBM KLCI Gains 0.5% as Regional Indices Slip on Profit‑Taking
The FBM KLCI climbed 8.06 points (≈0.5%) to 1,715.55, outpacing a broader Asian market decline caused by profit‑taking and rising oil prices. Trading volume hit 2.05 billion shares worth about $303 million, with blue‑chip gains led by Press Metal, Telekom Malaysia and...
Buy the Dip, but Avoid IT, Back Pharma & Power, Says Rudramurthy BV
Indian equities have pulled back after a 2,300‑point rally, prompting Vachana Investments’ MD Rudramurthy BV to label the market a "buy‑on‑dip" opportunity. He targets entry on the Nifty around 23,700‑23,800 and on Bank Nifty near 55,000, pending stabilization of Brent...
STI Dips 0.4% as Investors Are Concerned About War and Inflation
Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index slipped 0.4% to 4,922.86 on Friday as heightened geopolitical tension and persistent inflation dampened investor confidence. Yangzijiang Shipbuilding led gains, rising 3.8% to S$4.33 (about $3.20), while UOB fell 2.44% despite declaring a S$0.71 ($0.53)...
Investors Rotate to China’s Chipmakers as DeepSeek Intensifies AI Competition
Chinese semiconductor stocks rallied sharply after DeepSeek released its V4 foundation model, which it touts as competitive with OpenAI and Google DeepMind. SMIC rose 10% and Hua Hong surged 15% in Hong Kong, reflecting investor bets on domestic AI compute...
TSMC Shares Jump to Record High as Taiwan Eases Single-Stock Investment Caps for Funds
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) shares jumped 5% to a new all‑time high after Taiwan’s regulator announced it will raise the single‑stock allocation ceiling for domestic equity funds and actively managed ETFs from 10% to 25% of assets. The rule...
Cyient Shares Slide 4% After Q4 Miss; Buyback at Premium Offers Limited Cushion
Cyient’s shares fell 4.16% to ₹897 (≈ $10.80) after the engineering‑services firm reported a sharp Q4 profit decline. Consolidated net profit dropped to ₹54.80 crore (≈ $6.6 million) from ₹91.8 crore a quarter earlier, while revenue rose modestly to ₹1,930 crore (≈ $231 million). The board approved a...
AI Boom Is Hiding Korea’s Next Crisis
South Korea’s KOSPI surged to a record 6,400 in early 2026, propelled by AI‑driven demand for semiconductors from Samsung and SK Hynix. Despite the rally, the economy faces deep structural challenges, including chaebol concentration, soaring household debt, and a rigid...
Trim Tech, Bet on Energy as Oil Surges
Asia stocks slip as tech cools, oil >$100 & Japan core CPI below BOJ target. Geopolitical strain lifts oil, pressures risk assets. Action: trim tech longs; favor energy/FX hedge. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
TSMC Shares Surge as Taiwan Lifts Single-Stock Limit for Funds
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) saw its shares surge to a record after the island’s financial regulator lifted the single‑stock holding limit for investment funds. JPMorgan Chase estimates the policy change could attract more than $6 billion of new fund inflows...
Nikkei 225 Hits 60,000 Mark Before Closing 0.75% Lower
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged past the 60,000 threshold at 60,013.98 before ending the session down 0.75% at 59,140.23. The brief rally was driven by AI‑related chip makers and SoftBank, but profit‑taking and program selling erased gains.
KLCI Hits March High, Tech & Commodities Lead Gains
KLCI highest close since 18 March +2.5% YTD. Outshone other markets yesterday; main themes were tech/DC, commodity. Large caps/KLCI Top 5 movers yesterday: •P Chem +6.3% •MRDIY +4.3% •P Metal +2.7% •YTLP +2.3% •YTL 2.0% Mid-caps FBM70 continues to outperform +7.2% YTD. Still positive on...
Mainland Chinese Tech Outpaces Hong Kong on AI Hardware
Mainland‑listed Chinese tech stocks are outperforming their Hong Kong peers, underscoring investors’ enthusiasm for artificial intelligence hardware and earnings visibility https://t.co/H3BZdYB3zU
Oil Crude Tops $100, Pulling Asian Markets Back From Record Peaks
Brent crude surged to $103 per barrel as Iran seized vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Japan’s Nikkei, South Korea’s Kospi, Taiwan’s Taiex and India’s Nifty to retreat from fresh record highs. Analysts warned that the oil shock and...
Zhejiang Xianju Pharma Posts $63M Profit Rise as Revenue Slides 6% in 2025
Zhejiang Xianju Pharmaceutical announced a full‑year profit of RMB449.64 million ($63 million), up 13% from the prior year, even as revenue dropped 6% to RMB3.758 billion ($526 million). The results underscore both resilience in drug‑manufacturing margins and pressure from a slowing domestic market.
Dalal Street Bleeds as Crude Crosses $103, Rupee Hits April Low
Indian equities extended their decline on Thursday, with the BSE Sensex falling 852 points to 77,664 and the Nifty 50 dropping 205 points to 24,173. The sell‑off was driven by Brent crude climbing above $103 per barrel amid heightened Iran‑related...
TSMC Share Gap Narrows, UBS Spots Trading Opportunity
The narrowing gap between TSMC’s Taiwanese shares and its US-listed stock is creating a new trading opportunity, according to a UBS client note https://t.co/KZ67CNpx8v
BSE 400 SMID Index Back to Pre-US-Iran War Level. Is It Good Time to Buy Smallcap, Midcap Stocks?
Small‑ and mid‑cap stocks in India surged in April, with the BSE SMID 400 index climbing 14% to reclaim its pre‑US‑Iran ceasefire level of 12,000. The rally outpaced the broader Sensex and Nifty, which posted just over 7% gains. Despite...
Indian Equities Slide on Middle East Tensions
JUST IN: Indian equities slide as financial and auto stocks pull back amid Middle East tensions.
Stocks to Buy: Nagaraj Shetti Recommends NLC India, RVNL Shares to Buy
Indian equities slipped on April 23 as Brent crude breached $100 a barrel amid heightened geopolitical tension in the Strait of Hormuz. The Nifty 50 fell 0.84% to 24,169.3 and the BSE Sensex dropped 1.10% to 77,651.48, while investors awaited Infosys’s...
Nintendo Shares Slump, Daiwa Slashes Target Price
1) After falling every day this week, Nintendo stock again down -2.50% currently (1h trading left on Thursday in Japan) and -23% overall this year so far - close to Sony's losses. Today, local bank Daiwa lowered the target price from...
Sensex, Nifty to Open Lower as Crude Prices Top $100 on Iran War Uncertainty
India’s equity benchmarks are set to open lower on Thursday as Brent crude breached $102 a barrel following Iran’s seizure of two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. HSBC downgraded Indian equities to underweight, warning that the country’s heavy reliance...