S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
The benchmark KOSPI rose more than 1% to around 6,700 on Wednesday, snapping a four-day decline, amid gains in semiconductor and battery stocks. SK hynix advanced over 2%, while both Samsung Electronics and LG Energy Solution were up nearly 2%, helping lift the index despite net foreign selling. Other gainers included LS Electric (1.9%), HD Hyundai Electric (1.7%), and Hyosung Heavy Industries (4.9%). Meanwhile, Brent crude traded around $108 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions and disruptions to a key Saudi oil pipeline. Higher energy prices could add to inflation and raise costs for Korean companies, which are heavily reliant on imported energy. At the same time, the US 10-year Treasury yield briefly topped 5% for the first time since 2007, increasing concerns over equity valuations and financial conditions. Investors also remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, with firm US inflation strengthening rate-hike bets.
