Key Takeaways (August 3, 2026)
- KOSPI Adjusts 5.12% After Record Surge: South Korea’s KOSPI closed at 6,257.45 points (-338.00 pts) as institutional investors executed profit-taking following Friday’s historic +17.91% rally.
- Morgan Stanley Upgrades Korea to ‘Overweight’: Global investment bank Morgan Stanley raised its rating on South Korean equities to ‘Overweight’ with a KOSPI target of 9,000, calling recent volatility technical leverage unwinding.
- Taiwan & Hong Kong Advance: Taiwan’s Taiex added 0.62% to 43,386.41 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.48% to 26,009.40, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dipped 0.94% to 63,754.90 on a strengthening Yen.
- Oil Drops on Diplomatic Signal: WTI crude oil fell to $80.50/bbl as U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks eased immediate supply disruption fears, while USD/KRW traded near 1,468.50 KRW.
Asian stock markets opened August with sector-specific consolidation on Monday, August 3, 2026. Following Friday’s historic marketwide surge, South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index underwent a healthy profit-taking adjustment. Meanwhile, Taiwan and Hong Kong continued their upward trajectory, supported by global investment bank upgrades and easing crude oil prices.
Major Asian Market Indices Summary
Below is the summary of major Asian stock market performances as of the market close on August 3, 2026 (as of 15:30 KST):
| Index | Closing Value | Change (Pts) | Change (%) | Status / Timestamp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI (South Korea) | 6,257.45 | -338.00 | -5.12% | Closed (15:30 KST) |
| KOSDAQ (South Korea) | 701.30 | -41.30 | -5.56% | Closed (15:30 KST) |
| Nikkei 225 (Japan) | 63,754.90 | -607.12 | -0.94% | Closed (15:00 JST) |
| Taiex (Taiwan) | 43,386.41 | +266.66 | +0.62% | Closed (13:30 NST) |
| Hang Seng (Hong Kong) | 26,009.40 | +124.97 | +0.48% | Closed (16:00 HKT) |
South Korea: KOSPI Undergoes Speed Adjustment After Surge; Morgan Stanley Bullish
The South Korean KOSPI index closed down 5.12% (-338.00 points) at 6,257.45, while the KOSDAQ lost 5.56% to end at 701.30. Institutional investors locked in short-term profits in Samsung Electronics (-8.3%) and SK Hynix (-8.6%) following Friday’s explosive +17.91% gain.
Despite the single-session pullback, global investment bank Morgan Stanley issued a major rating upgrade, raising South Korean equities to “Overweight” with a KOSPI target of 9,000 points. Morgan Stanley noted that the recent volatility was driven by technical leverage unwinding rather than structural earnings impairment.
Taiwan & Hong Kong Advance; Yen Surge Weighs on Tokyo Exporters
Taiwan’s Taiex index added 0.62% (+266.66 points) to close at 43,386.41, sustained by semiconductor foundry momentum. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.48% (+124.97 points) to cross the key 26,000 milestone at 26,009.40.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.94% to 63,754.90. The Japanese Yen appreciated against the U.S. dollar toward 160.50 JPY following signals of joint U.S.-Japan FX intervention, creating temporary headwinds for Japanese auto and machinery exporters.
Cross-Asset Snapshot: Crude Oil Eases on Diplomatic Signals
Financial indicators across regional trading sessions reflected easing energy inflation risks:
- Crude Oil: WTI Crude oil fell 2.7% to $80.50 per barrel as U.S. diplomatic signals regarding Middle East shipping routes eased supply interruption fears, benefiting overall CPI inflation outlooks.
- Foreign Exchange: USD/KRW closed at 1,468.50 KRW (+13.30 won). USD/JPY traded near 160.50 JPY on currency intervention positioning.
- Sovereign Yields: U.S. 10-year Treasury yields held steady around 4.58%.
Key Investor Checkpoints Ahead
Global market participants are tracking upcoming macroeconomic data releases:
- August 7, 2026: U.S. Employment Situation Report (Nonfarm Payrolls & Unemployment Rate) — Check schedule at U.S. Release Calendar.
- August 12, 2026: U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI Inflation Release Time).
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