South Korea Stocks Surge to Record High as Asia Markets React to Trump’s Iran Deal Stance
South Korean equities climbed to a fresh record high on Monday, with the Kospi index jumping 3.68% to 8,788.38, defying mixed performance across Asia-Pacific markets. The strong rally positioned South Korea as one of the standout performers in the region despite broader uncertainty weighing on investor sentiment.
The surge was largely driven by heavyweight technology stocks, especially Samsung Electronics, which soared more than 10% to an all-time high. The stock’s performance helped lift overall market momentum as investors continued to bet on the strength of the country’s tech sector.
While South Korea surged ahead, other regional markets delivered a mixed picture. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.91% to 66,934.33, although the Topix index slipped slightly. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed largely flat, reflecting cautious trading sentiment.
In Greater China, performance was split as well. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.86%, supported by late-session buying, while mainland China’s CSI 300 fell 0.98% as investors remained wary of economic headwinds.
Investor attention in Japan also turned to SoftBank Group, which surged 14% after announcing a massive €45 billion ($53 billion) investment plan over the next five years. The company aims to build advanced artificial intelligence infrastructure in France, signaling a bold expansion into Europe’s AI ecosystem.
The announcement added momentum to tech-related stocks across the region, reinforcing investor optimism around long-term AI-driven growth despite short-term geopolitical concerns.
Global markets were also influenced by geopolitical uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was in “no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran over its ongoing conflict, now in its fourth month. His remarks suggested negotiations remain unresolved, with potential military escalation still on the table.
Trump emphasized that while a diplomatic solution is preferred, the U.S. would not rush into an agreement. His comments added caution to investor sentiment as energy and geopolitical risks continue to linger in the background.
Despite geopolitical tensions, Wall Street ended the previous session on a strong note, with all major indices closing at record highs. Gains were driven largely by technology stocks, helping cap off a winning month for U.S. equities.
The positive momentum in the U.S. helped support global risk appetite, even as investors balanced optimism around tech growth with ongoing uncertainty in global politics and energy markets.
source: cnbc