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 South Korean won held steady around 1,470 per dollar, remaining near a two-week high, amid expectations of higher interest rates and strong export momentum. Support came after a Bank of Korea deputy governor signalled that it was “time to consider interest rate hikes,” with policy guidance expected to turn more hawkish as inflation remains elevated. Stronger growth expectations further underpinned the currency, with exports holding above $80 billion for a second consecutive month in April on robust semiconductor shipments. The country also posted a trade surplus above $20 billion for the second straight month, a record run that reinforced steady foreign exchange inflows. At the same time, expectations that expanded National Pension Service hedging flexibility may help smooth FX volatility added to stability in the currency. However, focus remained on Middle East developments, where a fragile ceasefire held but ongoing uncertainty kept energy and risk channels in focus.
