Nikkei 225 Breaks 60,000 All-Time Record as Asia Rallies on AI, Trump-Xi Summit Hopes

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Published April 27, 2026 | Economy News | ECONPLEX Editorial Desk

Asia’s stock markets delivered a historic session on Monday as South Korea’s tech shares surged on an AI investment landmark — Google announcing its first non-U.S. AI campus in Seoul — while Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed above 60,000 for the first time in its 76-year history. Chinese equities extended a multi-week recovery on Trump-Xi summit optimism, and solid macro data across the region reinforced the risk-on mood. Elevated oil prices — with Brent crude holding above $106 — remained an undercurrent from the ongoing Iran War, but were insufficient to derail one of Asia’s strongest sessions of 2026.

South Korea: KOSPI and KOSDAQ Rally as Google Picks Seoul for First Non-U.S. AI Campus

South Korean stocks surged on Monday as money continued flowing into technology shares, according to Nikkei Asia. The KOSPI advanced, extending a run that had already produced a record-high session on April 21, when the index jumped 2.7% to an all-time high on semiconductor strength.

Monday’s catalyst was structural: Google announced it will build its first AI campus outside the United States in South Korea — a landmark endorsement of Korea’s semiconductor infrastructure and AI talent ecosystem.

The announcement amplifies an already powerful earnings story. SK Hynix reported Q1 2026 net profit of ₩37.6 trillion (~$25.4 billion), a nearly fivefold year-over-year jump at a 72% operating margin — the highest in the company’s history — as demand for High Bandwidth Memory chips used in AI accelerators remains insatiable. Industry analysts project the AI-driven memory shortage will persist through 2027. South Korea’s macro backdrop is equally supportive: Q1 2026 GDP returned to growth on chip exports, and Korean exports hit an all-time high by value.

The KOSDAQ — Korea’s growth-stock exchange — also advanced, reflecting broad-based risk appetite rather than a narrowly concentrated rally.

Japan: Nikkei 225 Sets All-Time Closing Record at 60,537

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 821.18 points (+1.38%) to close at 60,537.36 — the highest closing level ever recorded, according to Nikkei Asia. The index surpassed the 60,000 threshold on a closing basis for the first time, extending a rally that has taken Japanese equities from the 42,000s of mid-2024 to uncharted territory.

Two structural tailwinds drove the advance:

  • BOJ policy stability: The Bank of Japan is expected to hold its benchmark rate unchanged at next week’s meeting, with June identified as the next potential window for a hike, per Nikkei Asia. A steady BOJ policy rate keeps the yen under moderate pressure — USD/JPY at 159.16 — translating into stronger yen-adjusted earnings for Japan’s export-heavy index.
  • Corporate earnings momentum: Nissan flipped to a positive operating profit forecast for fiscal 2025, while Daiwa Securities Group agreed to acquire Orix Bank for $2.3 billion.

Note: Japanese markets close for Golden Week from April 29 through May 5.

China: CSI 300 Extends Recovery on Summit Optimism and Solid Macro Data

Chinese equities extended their multi-week recovery. The CSI 300 has climbed over 8% from its March low as investors position for a U.S.-China trade thaw, with the South China Morning Post reporting that a Trump-Xi summit is tentatively scheduled for May 14–15. The Shanghai Composite gained 6.44 points (+0.15%) to close at 4,086.34.

Macro data reinforced the cautiously optimistic mood:

One headwind: Hengli Petrochemical shares plunged after Washington imposed fresh Iran oil sanctions, while Beijing warned Washington against the “misuse of sanctions”.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 52.42 points (−0.20%) to 25,925.65, dragged by energy-sector pressure.

Macro Context: Iran War, Oil, and the Disconnect Tension

Asia’s equity markets are navigating a striking paradox: indices at or near record highs while the Iran War keeps energy costs elevated. Nikkei Asia’s “Asia’s Great Disconnect” analysis notes that markets are booming even as the conflict fuels a cost-of-living crisis across the region.

  • Brent crude rose 0.83% to $106.20/bbl as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains muted, per Reuters.
  • Gold (XAU/USD) slipped 0.46% to $4,700.50/oz.
  • The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield ticked up to 4.316%; Japan’s 10-year JGB yield rose to 2.474%.
  • Previous U.S. session: S&P 500 +0.80%, Nasdaq +1.63% — positive handoff to Asian risk assets.

Other Asian Markets

  • India Sensex: Rose 639.42 points (+0.83%) to 77,303.63, supported by domestic earnings strength. Sun Pharma’s $11.75 billion acquisition of Organon highlighted the industry’s pivot beyond generics.
  • Singapore STI: Fell 30.13 points (−0.61%) to 4,892.73, dragged by energy and commodity-linked stocks.
  • Australia ASX All Ordinaries: Edged down 0.17% to 8,990.80. ANZAC Day (April 25) fell on a Saturday — no closure on Monday; the market was fully open.

What Investors Should Watch This Week

  1. BOJ Rate Decision (April 30): Market consensus is a hold. Any hawkish surprise would pressure Nikkei valuations via yen appreciation. Check the ECONPLEX Economic Calendar for timing. Note: Japanese markets close for Golden Week from April 29–May 5 — positions taken before the decision will be held over the entire break.
  2. Trump-Xi Summit Confirmation (May 14–15): Official confirmation will be the next binary catalyst for the CSI 300 and Hong Kong-listed China equities.
  3. U.S. Q1 GDP & Core PCE (April 30): A hotter-than-expected print could push the 10-year yield above 4.4%, pressuring high-valuation tech equities across the region.
  4. Hormuz shipping data: Continued disruption will sustain Brent above $100 and compound inflation pressures for Asian importers.
  5. Bank of Korea rate path: With Korean exports at all-time highs, the BOK’s next statement will be watched for signals on domestic demand support.

Track Asia’s key market indicators in real time

Follow the Nikkei 225, KOSPI, CSI 300, Brent crude, and more on ECONPLEX — plus check today’s market-moving events on the Economic Calendar.

Sources

  1. Nikkei Asia — Japan’s Nikkei average eclipses 60,000, reaches all-time closing high
  2. SCMP — China equities set for boost as Trump-Xi meeting raises hopes of thaw
  3. Nikkei Asia — Google to build first non-U.S. AI campus in South Korea
  4. Reuters — China’s industrial firms’ profit rises 15.5% in Q1 2026
  5. Nikkei Asia — Seoul shares hit record high on back of tech sector rally
  6. Nikkei Asia — SK Hynix Q1 profit jumps fivefold despite Middle East energy crisis
  7. Nikkei Asia — Asia’s great disconnect: markets boom as Iran war fuels cost-of-living crisis
  8. Reuters — Moody’s flags resilience of China economy, moves outlook to stable
  9. Reuters — Hengli Petrochemical dives after U.S. imposes Iran oil sanctions
  10. Nikkei Asia — China warns U.S. over sanctions misuse after oil refiner Hengli hit
  11. Nikkei Asia — BOJ to skip rate hike next week; June seen as next window
  12. Nikkei Asia — Nissan flips to operating profit outlook for last fiscal year
  13. Nikkei Asia — Daiwa Securities to acquire Orix Bank for $2.3bn
  14. SCMP — ChiNext emerges as investor darling as indexes smash records
  15. Reuters — Shipping traffic through Hormuz remains muted
  16. Nikkei Asia — China’s DeepSeek unveils V4 AI model
  17. Nikkei Asia — South Korea returns to growth in Q1 on chip exports
  18. Nikkei Asia — South Korean exports hit all-time high by value
  19. Nikkei Asia — Memory shortage set to run until 2027 as chipmakers focus on AI
  20. Nikkei Asia — Indian drugmakers look beyond generics as Sun Pharma buys Organon

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