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 0.5% to around 6,890 on Friday, extending gains from the previous session, as strength in major chipmakers and robust semiconductor exports supported investor sentiment. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix climbed about 1% and 4%, respectively, helped by continued expectations for shareholder returns. Strong semiconductor exports provided further support, with chip shipments nearly tripling to $26 billion in the first 20 days of August, reinforcing expectations that AI-driven demand will continue to support Korea’s key technology sector. Gains were also recorded in KB Financial Group (2.0%), Shinhan Financial Group (3.0%), and SK Inc (2.3%). Meanwhile, renewed gains in US Treasury yields limited the upside, as investors grew skeptical that the Treasury’s expanded bond buyback plan would provide lasting relief from elevated borrowing costs. Brent crude also rose more than 2% amid renewed US-Iran tensions, raising concerns over inflation and higher energy costs.
