July 10, 2026 — Asian stock markets delivered strong gains today, driven by resurgence in semiconductor and technology shares. Following continuous focus on artificial intelligence (AI) hardware demands, buyers returned to major manufacturing hubs in Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea’s benchmark indices surged, supported by listing expectations for regional chipmakers on global exchanges. While most markets experienced a positive close, mainland Chinese indices retreated on localized profit-taking. Meanwhile, extreme weather precautions suspended trading in Taipei as Typhoon Bavi closed Taiwanese financial centers.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea Market Surge: The benchmark KOSPI index jumped 2.52% to close at 7,475.94 points, while the KOSDAQ index soared 5.47% to 837.43 points, led by SK Hynix momentum.
- Nikkei Extends Rebound: Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.20% to finish at 68,557.73 points, as semiconductor equipment names tracked Wall Street tech optimism.
- Taiwan Suspends Trading: The TAIEX index remained closed for the session due to precautionary city-wide storm warnings from Typhoon Bavi.
- China Diverges Lower: The CSI 300 index fell 1.96% and the Shanghai Composite declined 1.00% as investors locked in gains from previous sessions.
- Yen and Dollar Trends: The USD/JPY exchange rate fell slightly to 161.70 Yen, and the USD/KRW rate finished lower at 1,500.29 Won.
Major Asian Indices Summary
| Index | Close | Change (Pts) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI (South Korea) | 7,475.94 | +184.03 | +2.52% |
| KOSDAQ (South Korea) | 837.43 | +43.43 | +5.47% |
| Nikkei 225 (Japan) | 68,557.73 | +813.88 | +1.20% |
| TOPIX (Japan) | 4,036.08 | +15.71 | +0.39% |
| Shanghai Composite (China) | 3,996.16 | -40.43 | -1.00% |
| CSI 300 (China) | 4,780.79 | -95.52 | -1.96% |
| Hang Seng (Hong Kong) | 24,175.12 | +144.94 | +0.60% |
| TAIEX (Taiwan) | — | — | Closed |
| S&P/ASX 200 (Australia) | 8,806.00 | +43.50 | +0.50% |
| Straits Times Index (Singapore) | 5,469.29 | +35.41 | +0.65% |
* Data as of close, July 10, 2026. Note: Taiwan’s financial markets were closed due to local typhoon suspensions. All settlements are delayed to July 13, 2026.
South Korea: KOSPI and KOSDAQ Stage Strong Rallies on Listing Expectations
South Korea’s financial markets surged today, leading the regional recovery. The benchmark KOSPI index rose 2.52% to close at 7,475.94 points (Chosun Ilbo). The junior KOSDAQ index soared 5.47% to close at 837.43 points (Seoul Economic Daily). Dip-buying in memory chipmakers and battery stocks supported the rally.
Expectations surrounding the U.S. Nasdaq debut of South Korean chip giant SK Hynix fueled investor optimism (Gulf Times). Strong buying from foreign and institutional investors helped offset concerns over a memory hardware peak-out or structural chip oversupply. Margins were also supported as macro indicators stabilized following the previous session’s volatility, and local circuit breakers remained inactive during the steady climb.
Japan: Technology Equities Extend Gains on Wall Street Inflows
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index rose 1.20% to finish at 68,557.73 points, continuing its positive momentum from the previous session (Armenpress). The broader TOPIX index increased 0.39% to close at 4,036.08 points. Gains were led by lithography and semiconductor testing firms, which tracked Wall Street’s technology rally. Currency markets showed moderate stabilization, with the USD/JPY rate closing near 161.70 Yen, providing some support to Japanese exporters.
China & Hong Kong: Shanghai Declines as Hang Seng Posts Small Gains
Mainland Chinese stock indices closed lower. The CSI 300 index dropped 1.96% to end the session at 4,780.79 points, and the Shanghai Composite lost 1.00% to close at 3,996.16 points (Investing.com). Analysts attributed the drop to domestic profit-taking in battery and financial sectors. In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.60% to close at 24,175.12 points, drawing support from defensive inflows into large-cap Chinese internet firms.
Taiwan & Other Regional Markets
Taiwan’s TAIEX index did not trade today. The Taiwan Stock Exchange suspended all market operations due to precautionary city-wide weather warnings issued by the local government ahead of Typhoon Bavi (Focus Taiwan). Trading is scheduled to resume on July 13, 2026. Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index added 0.50% to close at 8,806.00 points, finding support from banking shares. Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.65% to close at 5,469.29 points, driven by strong capital inflows into DBS, OCBC, and UOB.
Macro Asset Snapshot & Cross-Asset Flow
Global macro benchmarks stabilized today following the previous session’s geopolitical fluctuations:
- Dollar and DXY: The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) settled near 100.97 (Trading Economics).
- Foreign Exchange: The USD/KRW exchange rate closed near 1,500.29 Won. USD/JPY stood near 161.70.
- Bond Yields: The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield rose to approximately 4.56% (Trading Economics).
- Commodities: WTI Crude Oil fell to $71.41 per barrel (Investing.com). Spot Gold rose to $4,113.70 per ounce, while Bitcoin rose to approximately $63,744.
Checkpoints for Global Investors
Investors should continue tracking these upcoming regional schedules:
- July 13, 2026: Taiwan Stock Exchange resumes operations following Typhoon Bavi closures.
- July 16, 2026: Bank of Korea (BOK) Monetary Policy Board Rate Decision. Focus will center on whether BOK introduces interest rate adjustments.
- Mid-July 2026: June Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases for the U.S. and Eurozone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did South Korea’s indices surge today?
The KOSPI jumped 2.52% and the KOSDAQ rose 5.47% due to strong tech-sector inflows and Nasdaq listing expectations for SK Hynix, which boosted regional investor optimism.
Why was the Taiwan Stock Exchange closed today?
The exchange suspended all operations due to precautionary city-wide weather warnings issued by Taipei authorities ahead of Typhoon Bavi.
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