Global markets
Every item from Trenri daily that fell into Global markets, latest first.
June 2026 Β· 112
KOSPI Circuit Breaker Triggered, Two Sharp Drops in One Week
The KOSPI triggered a circuit breaker after a 10% crash on June 23, then fell an additional 5.8% on June 26 to close at 8,411. SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics each plunged more than 12%, leading the decline.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq Falls 5th Straight Session, S&P 500 Also Ends Lower
The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.24% to close at 25,297.62 on June 26, logging a fifth consecutive decline. The S&P 500 closed at 7,354.02 (-0.05%) and the Dow Jones at 51,876.11 (-0.09%).
OpenAI Considers Delaying IPO to 2027 Amid SpaceX Volatility
Reports say OpenAI is weighing pushing its IPO to 2027. SpaceX debuted at $135 per share on June 11, surged to $225, then plunged to around $152 β volatility cited as a key factor behind the reconsideration.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEAI and Chip Stocks Fall on Reports of OpenAI IPO Delay to 2027
Reports that OpenAI is considering delaying its IPO to 2027 sent Nvidia down roughly 1.5%, with AMD and Broadcom also declining. The Nasdaq Composite ended the week down 5.2%.
S&P 500 Falls 0.5% Β· Nasdaq 100 Closes Down 0.7%
The S&P 500 closed at 7,357.49, down 0.5%, and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.7% on June 26. Caterpillar (-3.91%) and Goldman Sachs (-3.71%) led declines, while Salesforce (+3.80%) gained.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI Plunges 5.8% to 8,411 Β· Fear Index VIX Tops 91
KOSPI dropped 5.8% to close at 8,411 on June 26. The market fear index (VIX) surpassed 91, hitting an all-time high, and a circuit breaker was triggered, according to MBC.
Crude Oil Falls Below $71 Β· Gold Trades Around $4,190 Per Ounce
Crude oil prices fell below $71 per barrel. Energy supply concerns eased as tankers resumed transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Trading Economics. Gold was trading around $4,190 per ounce.
Micron Earnings Surprise Sparks Semiconductor Rally
Micron issued August quarter revenue guidance of approximately $50 billion (vs. the $43.2B consensus), sending its stock up 17%. The S&P 500 closed up 0.52% and the Nasdaq up 0.24% on June 25.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEApple MacBooks Up 25%, Microsoft Xbox Prices Rise Up to $150
Apple announced price increases of up to 25% on MacBooks and iPads, sending its stock down 6.5%. Microsoft also raised Xbox console prices by up to $150, contributing to broad weakness across big tech.
KOSPI Rebounds 5.42% to 8,930 on SK Hynix ADR Announcement
Following the circuit breaker triggered on June 23, the KOSPI bounced 5.42% back to the 8,930 level after SK Hynix announced plans for a Nasdaq ADR listing.
Seoul Apartment Prices Rise for 69 Consecutive Weeks, Led by Songpa, Seongdong, Dobong
As of June 1, Seoul apartment sale prices rose 0.25%, marking 69 consecutive weeks of gains. All districts recorded increases, with Songpa (0.50%), Seongdong (0.48%), and Dobong (0.47%) leading.
KOSPI Defended by 70 Trillion Won Retail Net Buys Despite 62 Trillion Won Foreign Outflows
Although KOSPI surged over 100% from the start of the year, Goldman Sachs estimated foreigners net-sold 62 trillion won. Domestic retail investors' 70 trillion won net purchases are what's propping up the index.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUSD/KRW Stuck Near 1,500 Won β Triple High Headwinds Persist
The USD/KRW rate remains near its highs around 1,500 won. The triple burden of high interest rates, high oil prices, and a strong dollar is slowing KOSPI's upward momentum and weighing on investors.
KOSPI Rebounds 8.2% After Yesterday's -10% Circuit-Breaker Crash
KOSPI surged 8.2% on June 24, led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix recovering from the AI-chip selloff that triggered two circuit breakers and wiped out roughly 10% of the index in a single session.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEMicron Reports Q3 Earnings Today β EPS $19, Revenue $34.5B Expected
Micron discloses its fiscal Q3 results after the US close on June 24. Analysts expect ~930% YoY profit growth with EPS near $19 and revenue around $34.5B. HBM pricing guidance is the key variable for the global AI memory trade.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI Still Up ~80% YTD β World's Top-Performing Major Index
Despite the sharp short-term correction, KOSPI remains up roughly 78-83% year-to-date in 2026, making it one of the world's best-performing major indices. AI chip demand is the primary driver.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESK Hynix leapfrogs Samsung for Kospi crown, first in 26 years
June 22: SK Hynix surged 5.6%, broke 2 quadrillion won, and claimed top market-cap spot from Samsung for the first time in over two decades. HBM4E 12-layer sample shipment lit the fuse. Semiconductor pair now comprises 48% of index.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS-Iran deal prospect smashes WTI 4.9% to $73.53
Reports of 60-day nuclear roadmap signing triggered overnight selloff. Treasury approval of 60-day Iranian oil sales window amplified supply recovery hopes.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEGold retests $4,200 as oil slump eases inflation fear
Crude crash lifts inflation pressure, gold bounces to $4,163β$4,200 band. Geopolitical premium recedes, dollar weakness bets stir mixed flows.
Alphabet tanks 10%, AI capex fears drag S&P 500 down 0.37%
June 22: Nasdaq-100 -0.25%, S&P 500 -0.37%. Alphabet crashed double-digits on infrastructure spend fears. Palantir, Amazon, Meta all down 4% as capex concerns spread.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINE10-year Treasury 4.46%; Korea ETF inflows crest record
10-year locked at 4.46%, bolstering Fed-pause bets for July. US-listed Korea single-country ETF seeing 2026's largest inflow. Global hedge funds betting Kospi.
Kospi semiconductor weight 48%; ex-Samsung/SK index down 2.48%
Concentration risk on full display: remove the big two and Kospi 200 ex-Mega Cap drops 2.48%. Global demand slowdown could concentrate losses.
Kospi Retreats to 9,052 After Record High 9,385 β 3.5% Correction from Peak
The Kospi set an all-time intraday high of 9,385.59 on June 19 before selling pressure emerged amid Iran-US negotiations uncertainty, closing at 9,052 down 0.13%. Year-to-date gains exceed 100%, with Goldman Sachs pointing to potential 35% further upside.
Gold Falls to $4,172 Per Ounce, 4-Week Low on Fed Hawkish Signals
Comex gold futures plunged to $4,172 per ounce amid Federal Reserve rate hike signals and rising US Treasury yields. Having briefly reached $4,249, weakened safe-haven demand following moderated Iran-US peace expectations drove the decline.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWTI Crude Holds at $76.51, Hormuz Normalization Expectations Maintain Downward Pressure
WTI crude futures held at $76.51 per barrel. Expectations for Strait of Hormuz normalization following Iran-US peace accord continue to pressure prices downward, with negotiation progress potentially widening near-term volatility.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI swings 553 points β all-time high 9,385 then crashes to 8,831 on same day
On June 19 KOSPI briefly hit a record intraday high of 9,385.59 before profit-taking drove it down to 8,831 β a 553-point swing β before settling at 9,052. The index held above 9,000, but KOSDAQ fell 3.43% and broke below the 1,000 level, closing at 966.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEIran re-closes Hormuz on June 20 β Monday energy price shock feared
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz re-closed on June 20, citing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as a ceasefire violation β just one day after the US-Iran MOU was signed. WTI crude is showing signs of a rebound from $75, and a significant market shock is feared when trading resumes on Monday.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS markets end week higher β S&P 500 holds 7,500 on semiconductor rally
The S&P 500 rose 1.08% on Wednesday (June 18) to close at 7,500 and the Nasdaq surged 1.91%, fully reversing the FOMC-driven selloff. Intel rallied 10.6% and Marvell 12%, while the Dow closed the week up 0.9% at 51,564.
S&P 500 closes at 7,500 β rebounds in two days after hawkish FOMC shock
The S&P 500 closed +1.08% at 7,500.58 on the 18th, the day before the Juneteenth holiday. After plunging on the hawkish FOMC on the 17th, the Nasdaq surged +1.9% on semiconductor strength and optimism over the US-Iran peace deal.
KOSPI breaks 9,000 for the first time, consolidates at 9,049
After the historic breach of 9,000 at 9,063.84 on the 18th, the index dipped 0.16% to close at 9,049 on the 19th. Foreign net buying of 1.28 trillion won led the way, with SK Hynix +6.5% and Samsung Electronics +4.6%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWTI rebounds to $77 β trading in a range on Hormuz execution uncertainty
WTI rose +1% to $77.35 on the 19th, with Brent at $80.48. After stabilizing following the US-Iran MOU, final implementation uncertainty keeps prices in a $75-$78 range β 29% below the conflict-era peak of $109.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI breaks 9,000 barrier for first time in history...semiconductor-led with 110% year-to-date gains
The KOSPI closed at 9,063.84 on June 18, breaking through 9,000 for the first time in history. Large-cap semiconductor stocks including SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics led the index, with foreign investors purchasing 1.27 trillion won net. KOSPI's year-to-date gain reaches approximately 110%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEU.S. markets closed for Juneteenth...prior session S&P500 up 1%, Nasdaq up 2.3%
June 19 (Friday) is Juneteenth, a U.S. federal holiday, with NYSE and Nasdaq closed. On the prior day (18th), S&P500 rose 1% maintaining the 7,600 level, and Nasdaq 100 rose 2.3%. Goldman Sachs raised its 12-month KOSPI target to 12,000.
U.S.-Iran MOU takes effect...WTI $76, Brent $78 plunging, energy market normalization hopes spread
With the U.S.-Iran MOU taking effect and the Strait of Hormuz reopening, WTI fell to around $76 and Brent crude to $78. News of immediate Iranian crude exports increased downward pressure on oil prices, with hopes spreading for global inflation moderation.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI closes at 8,726, countdown to historic 9,000 milestone begins
The KOSPI closed at 8,726.60 on June 16, putting the 9,000 mark within reach. Foreign investors ended 25 consecutive sessions of net selling and turned net buyers, driven by the semiconductor rally and US-Iran peace expectations.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBrent crude breaks below $80, WTI drops to $77 as Hormuz reopening nears
Brent crude fell to $79.96 per barrel on June 16, breaching $80 for the first time in three months, while WTI slid to the $77 range. With the official Hormuz reopening set for June 19, markets are pricing in an accelerated normalization of global energy supply.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq surges 3%, Goldman raises S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000
Wall Street rallied sharply on US-Iran peace optimism, with the Nasdaq jumping 3.07% and the S&P 500 holding above 7,600. Goldman Sachs lifted its S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000, as AI and semiconductor stocks reignited broad risk appetite.
KOSPI Surges 5.67% on Iran Ceasefire Hope, Historic 9,000 Breakout Imminent
KOSPI surged 5.67% on news of a US-Iran ceasefire agreement, recapturing the 8,500 level. Markets are now laser-focused on whether a historic 9,000 breach will materialize intraday June 16; brokerages recommend overweighting semiconductor stocks.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBOJ's Rate Hike Sends Yen to 157/Dollar, Carry Trade Unwind Risk Surges
The BOJ's 1% rate decision sent the dollar-yen rate from the 160s to 157, a sharp yen strengthening. Fears of yen carry trade unwinding are spreading across global capital flows, with end-of-year 1.25% expectations adding to the momentum.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEIran MOU Triggers 4.8% WTI Crash to $80.75 β Three-Month Low
The US-Iran peace MOU sent WTI crashing 4.8% to $80.75 and Brent down 4.7% to $83.17 β both three-month lows. Oil has fallen roughly 27% from its conflict-era peak, with Hormuz reopening poised to normalize energy markets dramatically.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI at 8,123 After June Swings, Iran MOU Is the Wild Card
KOSPI recovered from its June 8 crash (β8.29% to 7,484) with a record 612-point rebound on June 9 and a further +4.63% on June 12 to close at 8,123. Whether Iran signs the MOU today is the single biggest variable for today's open.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESpaceX Surges 19% on Nasdaq Debut in Record $75B IPO
SpaceX listed on Nasdaq at $135/share on June 12 and closed at $161 (+19%), completing a record $75 billion IPO that lifted both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire as a result.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBitcoin Hovers Around $63K, Pressured by Rate Hold and ETF Outflows
Bitcoin is rangebound between $61Kβ$63K. The June FOMC rate hold is now virtually priced in, but spot ETFs have seen over $1.75 billion in net outflows since mid-May, sustaining downward pressure.
KOSPI Recovers to 8,123, Reclaims 8,000 Level in 4 Trading Days on US-Iran MOU Hopes
KOSPI closed at 8,123 on June 12, up 4.63% from the prior day, reclaiming the 8,000 level for the first time in 4 trading days. Axios reporting on the possibility of a ceasefire MOU signing this weekend sparked risk-on sentiment.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI Up 48% YTD; JP Morgan Raises Target to 7,000-8,500
KOSPI has surged 48% year-to-date in 2026, posting one of the world's best equity market performances. Surging HBM4 demand driving Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix has led the semiconductor rally, and JP Morgan raised its target range to 7,000-8,500.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBitcoin Plunges to $64K on ETF Outflows and Strategy Selloff
Bitcoin fell below $70,000 as Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) sold BTC for the first time since 2022 and spot ETFs saw net outflows of $2.8-3.5 billion. As of June 13, Bitcoin is trading around $64,000.
KOSPI surges 4.63% to 8,124, led by semiconductors on Iran peace hopes
South Korea's KOSPI jumped 4.63% to 8,124 on June 12. Samsung Electronics (+7.86%), SK Hynix (+4.05%), and Hanwha Aerospace (+7.5%) led the rally as Iran ceasefire expectations and record early-June export data boosted sentiment.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 +0.5% at 7,431; Dow 51,202; Nasdaq 25,888
US equities rose across the board on June 12. The SpaceX IPO debut and US-Iran peace deal expectations boosted risk appetite, with the S&P 500 reaching 7,431 and maintaining its year-to-date uptrend.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEGold spot at $4,222/oz, up ~23% year-on-year
Gold spot traded at $4,222 per ounce on June 12, up 0.22% on the day and roughly 23% above year-ago levels. Iran tensions and dollar weakness continue to support safe-haven demand.
Brent crude crashes to $87.27 β Iran talks rattle commodity markets
Brent crude fell 3.4% to $87.27 on June 12 β the largest single-day drop since the Iran conflict began β as ceasefire text agreement hopes reset global energy supply expectations. WTI fell in tandem to the mid-$84 range.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBitcoin rebounds to $63,566 as SpaceX IPO liquidity drain winds down
Bitcoin traded at $63,566 on June 12. With SpaceX now listed, the two-week crypto liquidity outflow appears to be closing out. Ethereum ($1,664), XRP ($1.13), and Solana ($66.76) rose in tandem.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESpaceX debuts on Nasdaq as the largest IPO ever at a $1.77T valuation
SPCX trades June 12 at $135 with a $75B raise. Demand near $250B oversubscribed the book more than threefold, laying bare the AI-and-space crowding, with Nasdaq 100 inclusion hopes piling on.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWall Street rebounds: S&P 500 +1.8%, Dow +930 to 50,841
Trump's cancellation of Iran strikes and talk of an imminent pact turned sentiment June 11. The Nasdaq rose 2.5% and the Dow reclaimed 50,000 as chips led β AMD +8%, Micron +11%, Lam Research +12.7% β reversing much of the CPI shock in a day.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWTI tumbles 4% to $86, its lowest since April on the Iran deal
With Trump touting an imminent European signing, WTI fell to $86.51, down 3.9% and the lowest since April. A Hormuz reopening condition eased supply fears and pulled energy-inflation pressure lower, a swing factor for the Fed's path.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS 10-year yield at 4.52%, steadying slightly after the CPI shock
The 10-year yield eased to 4.52-4.53% on June 11 as the deal-driven oil drop cooled inflation expectations and drew buyers. Its direction faces a fresh test on post-SpaceX risk appetite.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI closes near 7,730 as foreign and institutional selling persists
The KOSPI ended near 7,730 on June 11 as foreigners and institutions kept selling. Even with Wall Street's bounce, accumulated outflows leave the June 12 SpaceX debut and global capital flows as the key directional test.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-dollar trades 1,520-1,533, tracking foreign equity flows
USD/KRW ranged 1,523-1,533 on June 10-11. Analysts say the rate now reacts more to foreign equity flows than to rates or the current account, so persistent selling keeps depreciation pressure intact.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI plunges 4.52% to 7731 on 23rd day of foreign selling, sidecar
On June 10 KOSPI fell 366.11 points (-4.52%) to 7,730.82 on US CPI caution. Foreigners net-sold 2.77 trillion won for a 23rd straight session, and an afternoon sell-side sidecar was triggered.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS May CPI 4.2% shock; S&P -1.6%, Dow -950 points slide
When the US May CPI hit a 3-year high of 4.2% on June 10, the S&P 500 fell 1.6%, the Nasdaq 2% and the Dow 950 points. Futures markets raised odds of a December FOMC hike, fanning tightening fears.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS 10-year yield rises to 4.546%, soft core caps the bond selloff
Right after the CPI release the US 10-year yield rose over 1bp to 4.546%. With monthly core CPI at 0.2%, below estimates, the bond selloff was limited and bets on the Fed's next move stayed split.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-dollar holds in the 1,526 range, supported lower by Mideast risk
On June 10 the won-dollar rate traded in the 1,526 range, up slightly from the prior 1,525.9. Renewed US-Iran military conflict pushed oil higher and supported the dollar, capping further won appreciation.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEForeigners net-sell for 23 straight days, worsening KOSPI flows
Foreigners extended selling to a 23rd straight session since May 7, worsening KOSPI supply-demand. They net-sold 2.77 trillion won again on June 10, leaving retail dip-buying unable to defend the index amid high FX and US tightening fears.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI rebounds 8.18% to 8097 a day after Black Monday
A day after the June 8 circuit breaker (-8.29%, 7,484), KOSPI rebounded 8.18% to close at 8,096.93. SK Hynix's 15.91% and Samsung's 8.97% surges triggered a buy-side sidecar.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-dollar steadies near 1,525 after spiking toward 1,560
After nearing 1,560 on Black Monday, the won-dollar rate fell to 1,525.88 on June 9. Joint verbal intervention by the BOK, finance ministry and regulators plus NPS hedging sales aided the stabilization.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS stocks mixed, S&P -0.26% and Nasdaq -0.97%
On June 9 (local), the S&P 500 fell 0.26% and the Nasdaq 0.97% while the Dow rose 0.17%, closing mixed. Trump's remarks on Iran retaliation raised intraday volatility as markets awaited the CPI.
Nikkei 225 rebounds 0.98% to close at 64,654
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 629.62 points (0.98%) to close at 64,654.22 on June 9. Asian chip and AI shares rebounded alongside Korea's market, retracing part of the prior day's plunge.
Eyes on tonight's US May CPI as a volatility trigger
If the US May CPI released tonight KST tops the 4.2% headline and 2.9% core forecasts, a repricing of the Fed path could rekindle equity volatility.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI 'Black Monday' plunges 8.29% to 7484, circuit breaker triggered
On June 8, KOSPI closed down 676.18 points (8.29%) at 7,484.41, triggering this year's third circuit breaker. KOSDAQ also plunged 9.08% to 911.39. Rate-hike fears from strong US jobs and chip-peak worries combined.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESamsung -10.18%, SK Hynix -7.68% plunge together on foreign selling
On June 8, Samsung Electronics fell 10.18% to 295,500 won and SK Hynix dropped 7.68% to 1,911,000 won. The weekend US chip selloff turned into heavy selling of large caps, with foreigners net selling 374.9 billion won on the KOSPI.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-dollar hits 17-year high of 1,561 intraday, closes 1,535 on intervention
On June 8, the won-dollar rate rose intraday to 1,561.5, a high since March 2009, but pared gains on official intervention to close down 4.1 won at 1,535.0. The government convened an emergency review meeting.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei plunges 3.85% to 64,024, breaks 65,000 since late May
On June 8, the Nikkei 225 closed down 2,563.52 yen (3.85%) at 64,024.60, breaking below 65,000 for the first time since May 28. US chip-stock losses and Middle East uncertainty drove a broad Asian selloff.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS stocks rebound June 8, Nasdaq +1.44%, S&P +0.93% as chips recover
On June 8 (local), US stocks rebounded on hopes of easing Middle East tensions, with the Nasdaq up 1.44%, S&P 500 up 0.93%, and Dow up 0.58%. Nvidia rose about 2% and Micron and Marvell jumped over 4%. June 10 CPI is the next variable.
US stocks crater June 5: Nasdaq falls 4.18%, S&P 500 down 2.64%
On June 5, the employment shock (172,000 vs. expected 85,000) combined with Broadcom disappointment sent the Nasdaq down 4.18% to 25,709. The S&P 500 fell 2.64% to 7,383, and the Dow declined 1.35% to 50,866.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEPhiladelphia Semiconductor Index SOX plummets 10.26%; Broadcom crashes 12.6%
Broadcom plunged 12.59% as the company failed to raise AI chip revenue guidance despite results. The Philadelphia semiconductor index fell 10.26% to 12,220.76, with Micron and Marvell also tumbling.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI crashes 5.54% June 6; Samsung and SK Hynix hit hardest
Cascading from Wall Street's decline, KOSPI plummeted 5.54% on June 6 to 8,161. Samsung Electronics fell 6.40% and SK Hynix dropped 9.92%, dragging the index down as the year's rally faced two consecutive days of losses.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-dollar hits 1,559.95; employment shock reignites dollar strength
The employment shock pushed Fed rate hike odds to 70%, sending the won-dollar rate to 1,559.95 won on June 5, a 17-year high. The 10-year Treasury yield surged past 4.53%, reigniting dollar strength.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei falls 1.31% June 6; Asia markets decline across the board
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.31% to 66,588 as semiconductor selling continued. Australia's ASX200 also declined 0.70%, with Middle East tensions adding to regional risk-off sentiment across Asia.
Nasdaq plunges 4.18% to 25,709 on June 5, worst day since April 2025
A semiconductor sell-off hammered markets June 5, sending the Nasdaq down 4.18% to 25,709.43, its worst day since April 2025. The S&P 500 fell 2.64% to 7,383.74 and the Dow lost 695 points (1.35%) to 50,866.78.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi hits record 8,801 June 4, then slides 1.84% to 8,639 next day
The Kospi rose 0.15% to a record 8,801 on June 4 but fell 1.84% to 8,639 on June 5 amid the US chip shock. The record run that had spiked to an intraday 8,933.62 on June 2 lost steam.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon/dollar at 1,559.95 on June 5, weakest won since 2009
The won/dollar rate jumped 1.77% to 1,559.95 on June 5 (won weaker), marking the weakest won value since 2009. The won is down over 7% this year, even as the Kospi more than doubled, in a striking decoupling.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESamsung tops 2,000tn won market cap, then falls ~5% June 5
Samsung Electronics topped 2,000tn won in market cap for the first time (2,028tn) in early June, driving the Kospi past 8,800. But it fell about 5% intraday on June 5 amid the chip shock, as retail investors net bought over 4tn won of Samsung and Hynix to absorb foreign selling.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS 10-year at 4.46%, WTI at $96 as geopolitics pressures bonds and oil
The US 10-year Treasury yield slipped 4bp to 4.46% on June 5. WTI rose 2.4% to $96 a barrel and Brent reached $97.77 amid Middle East tension. Hezbollah's rejection of a ceasefire stoked geopolitical risk in rates and oil.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq plunges 4.1% on May jobs of 172K; full-year Fed hike priced in
On June 5 the Nasdaq plunged 4.1%, the S&P 500 fell 2.6% and the Dow 1.3%. May payrolls came in at 172,000, double the 85,000 forecast, fully pricing in a Fed rate hike.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi plunges 5.54% to 8,160; foreigners sell KRW3.52T; won at 17-year low
The Kospi plunged 5.54% to close at 8,160.59 as foreigners sold a net KRW3.52 trillion. The won hit 1,539.1 per dollar, its weakest in 17 years since March 2009.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBroadcom guidance miss extends slide; Nvidia loses $5T cap, SOX -5.2%
After guiding Q3 AI chip sales to $16B, below the $17.2B consensus, Broadcom fell another 4.6% Friday. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 5.21% and Nvidia fell over 6% in two days, breaking below a $5 trillion market cap.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEAsian stocks fall together; Taiwan Taiex -1.33%, Nikkei 66,608
Taiwan's Taiex closed down 606.52 points (1.33%) at 45,070.94 after a 1,400-point swing. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.3% to 66,608 and the Hang Seng dropped 1.15% to 24,961.95.
Bitcoin breaks 200-day line at $61K; down 14% on the week, 13 days of ETF outflows
Bitcoin fell to $61,000, breaking below its 200-day moving average for the first time since 2023. It logged a 14% weekly drop and 21% over four weeks, with spot ETFs seeing 13 straight days of $4.4 billion in net outflows.
Dow jumps 875 points to record as rotation hits healthcare, financials
On June 4 the Dow rose 875 points (1.7%) to a record, with 8 of 11 sectors higher. Healthcare +3.14%, financials +2.67% and real estate +1.87% led, as UnitedHealth gained over 5%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq -0.1%, S&P +0.4% as Broadcom triggers AI profit-taking
On June 4 investors trimmed AI-linked names after Broadcom fell 14% post-earnings. The Nasdaq slipped 0.1% while the S&P 500 rose 0.4%, closing mixed amid rotation into non-tech.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi sinks 1.84% to 8,639 as Asia falls on Middle East, oil
On June 4 the Kospi fell 1.84% to 8,639.41, retreating from the prior day's record 8,801. US-Iran tension and high oil stoked energy and inflation worries, dragging Asia lower with US stocks.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei -1.36% to 67,470, Hang Seng -1.31% as Asia goes risk-off
On June 4 the Nikkei 225 fell 1.36% to 67,470 and the Hang Seng dropped 1.31% late in the session. US-Iran tension kept oil elevated, spreading risk-off sentiment across Asia.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEVIX steadies at 15.32, WTI eases near $95 on Iran-talks hopes
On June 4 the VIX fell 2.67% to 15.32. WTI eased about 1% to near $95/barrel and Brent to $96.97 as hopes for progress in Iran talks cooled the oil spike somewhat.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS stocks snap 9-day streak as Iran tension spurs selling
On June 3 the S&P 500 fell 0.74%, ending nine straight gains, while the Nasdaq lost 0.89% and the Dow tumbled 620.72 points (-1.21%). US-Iran tension and rising oil and yields weighed.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 tops 7,600 for first time; June 2 triple record
The prior session, June 2, the S&P 500 rose 0.13% to 7,609.78, topping 7,600 for the first time, while the Nasdaq closed at 27,093.90 and the Dow at 51,307.79 β all-time highs across the board.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi closed for elections; record 8,801 close on June 2
Korean markets were closed June 3 for the local elections. In the prior session on June 2 the Kospi rose 13.11 points (+0.15%) to a record 8,801.49, topping 8,900 intraday for the first time.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 68,401, Taiwan 46,459: Asia's record run continues
On June 3 Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 2.5% to a record 68,401.91, topping 68,000 for the first time, while Taiwan's TAIEX rose 1.98% to 46,459.16, a 4th straight record. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.62%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon stays above 1,530; yen threatens the 160 line
The won/dollar rate climbed to as much as 1,531.97 intraday on June 3, holding above 1,530. The yen weakened to 159.85/dollar, nearing the 160 level that has drawn past intervention, as yen pressure built.
S&P 500 tops 7,600 first time; Nasdaq also at record
The S&P 500 closed at 7,599.96 on June 1, touching 7,600 for the first time, and added 0.13% on June 2 for back-to-back records. Nvidia's new chip launch drove the tech rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi closes 8,801; Samsung cap tops 2,000T won
The Kospi touched 8,900 intraday June 2 before closing at a record 8,801.49. Samsung's market cap topped 2,000 trillion won as Samsung and SK Hynix chip leaders led the advance.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEHong Kong Hang Seng +2.52%, Tencent jumps 10%
The Hang Seng rose 640 points, or 2.52%, to 26,038 on June 2, a third straight gain. Tencent surged 10% on reports of a WeChat AI agent, sparking buying across China big tech.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUSD/KRW at 1,519, near a 17-year high
The won/dollar rate rose 0.33% to 1,518.82 on June 2, nearing the 17-year high of 1,520 set May 22. Higher oil on the Iran talks halt added to won weakness.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 at 66,954, up a modest 0.94%
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 624 points, or 0.94%, to 66,954 on June 2. The yen stayed weak at 159.69/dollar as US record highs and chip demand hopes supported the index.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 tops 7600 for first time; Dow, Nasdaq also at records
On June 1 all three US indices hit record highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% past 7600 for the first time, the Nasdaq +0.5%, and the Dow also gained. Nvidia jumped 5% on a new PC chip reveal, leading a tech rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi breaks 8800 in a day, record high just shy of 9000
On June 1 the Kospi crossed 8500 and 8600 then broke 8800, leaving it 200 points from 9000. LG group shares surged on news of a Jensen Huang-Koo Kwang-mo meeting, while Samsung and SK Hynix AI-chip rallies lifted the index.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 tops 67000 for the first time; SoftBank +14%
On June 1 the Nikkei 225 rose 0.91% to close at 66,934, topping 67,000 for the first time. SoftBank Group surged 14% on AI-infrastructure enthusiasm, with Kioxia +10.1%, Murata +9%, and Tokyo Electron +1.2% leading gains.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan's TAIEX surges 2.5% to 44733; TSMC, chips strong
Taiwan's TAIEX rose 1,097 points, or 2.5%, to close at 44,733. Semiconductors led by TSMC drove gains in electronics-tech and tech-services sectors, riding the global AI-chip rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUSD/KRW rises to 1,516, won weakens 0.59%
On June 1 USD/KRW rose 0.59% to 1,516.44 per dollar as the won weakened. USD/JPY also rose 0.06% to 159.37. Won-weakening pressure persisted even as equities hit record highs.
NY 3 indexes 9 consecutive weeks of record highsΒ·Dow breaks 51K for first time
On May 29, the S&P 500 closed at 7,580.06 (+0.22%) with nine consecutive weeks of gainsβthe longest run since early 2023. The Dow hit 51,032 (+0.72%), crossing 51K for the first time ever, while Nasdaq surged 26,972 with an 8% May rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi breaks 8,000 for first time at closeΒ·foreign buyers return after 13 sessions
On May 26, Kospi surged 2.55% to 8,047.51βbreaking 8,000 at the close for the first timeβon US-Iran ceasefire hopes. Foreign investors returned to net buying after 13 sessions, with SK Hynix +5.72% and Hyundai Motor +5.19% leading.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei closes at record 66,329Β·Japan, Korea indexes on synchronized record rally
On May 29, Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.5% to an all-time closing high of 66,329.50. Moderating Tokyo core inflation supported the move, and with US-Iran ceasefire hopes extending, both Korean and Japanese markets extended their synchronous record runs.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEAsia rallies in tandemΒ·Taiwan Weighted +2.5%, Hang Seng 25,182
On May 29, Taiwan's Weighted Index rose 2.5% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed at 25,182.39 (+0.7%). Easing US-Iran tensions and AI chip demand hopes lifted regional risk appetite across Asia.
FX, VIX stableΒ·won-dollar 1,493, yen-dollar 159, VIX 15.32
On May 29, USD/KRW retreated to 1,493.49 from the week's 1,520.8 high as the won strengthened, while USD/JPY held steady at 159.26. VIX eased to 15.32 (-2.67%), reflecting global risk appetite recovery.
May 2026 Β· 155
KOSPI lands at 8,000 all-time first Β· foreign selling pressure eases
KOSPI landed at 8,047.51 on May 26 for the first time ever, then broke 8,228 intraday on May 27. With May cumulative foreign net selling at 41 trillion won, daily average dropped sharply from 2.7 trillion to 1.3 billion won, signaling eased selling pressure.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENY three major indices 9 weeks consecutive Β· all reach all-time highs
On May 29, S&P500 closed +0.22% at 7,580.06, Nasdaq +0.2% at 26,972.62, and Dow +0.72% at 51,032.46, all setting new all-time records. S&P500 recorded its longest weekly winning streak since 2023β9 weeks straight.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 66,329 all-time high Β· Taiwan TAIEX 44,733 rally in tandem
Nikkei 225 surged +2.53% to 66,329.50, with TOPIX also reaching all-time highs. AI and semiconductor strength combined with lower oil prices aided the rally. Taiwan TAIEX also jumped +2.5% to 44,733, continuing Asia's semiconductor momentum.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEHang Seng rebounds 25,182 Β· Shanghai Composite weakens 4,069 mixed China
Hong Kong Hang Seng rebounded +0.70% to 25,182.39, partially recovering from the previous day's sharp decline. Shanghai Composite fell -0.73% to 4,069 and Shenzhen Component -1.81% to 15,575, with mainland weakness reflecting US-China trade tensions.
VIX 15.32 stabilizes Β· USD/KRW 1,551 Β· USD/JPY 159 yen weakness
VIX fell -2.67% to 15.32, strengthening risk-on sentiment. End of May USD/KRW at 1,551 level, USD/JPY at 159.26 continues yen weakness. Stoxx 600 closed +0.2% at 626.5 as inflation moderates and Middle East deal hopes grow.
KOSPI 5/28 -0.53% at 8,185 with profit-taking after high Β· Samsung+Hynix weight hits record 42.2%
On 5/28 the KOSPI fell -0.53% to close at 8,185.29 after the prior day's 8,228 record drew profit-taking. Combined Samsung Electronics + SK Hynix weight in the KOSPI hit an all-time-high 42.2% β the memory supercycle pushing market concentration to extremes.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 64,693 -0.47% Β· Hang Seng -1.38% slump as US-Iran tensions return, risk-off spreads
Nikkei 225 closed 5/28 at 64,693.12 (-0.47%), losing the 65,000 mark, and Hang Seng plunged -1.38% as Asia risk-off intensified simultaneously. With renewed US-Iran tensions and pre-PCE caution combining, Taiwan TAIEX also pulled back from its 44,257 peak, putting global risk appetite to the test.
VIX at 16.29 stabilizes lower Β· post-PCE volatility eases, US futures mixed near flat
VIX closed 5/28 at 16.29 β down from 17.01 on 5/26 β as post-PCE volatility eased. US equity futures stayed mixed on Hormuz news flow and STOXX 600 traded sideways on data gaps, with risk premium pricing in slowly ahead of the June FOMC inflection.
S&P 500 7,520 Β· Dow 50,648 Β· Nasdaq 26,674 range-bound, profit-taking emerges post-PCE
S&P 500 at 7,520, Dow at 50,648, and Nasdaq at 26,674 trade range-bound after fresh records. Post-PCE profit-taking emerged, with memory/AI troika supporting indices while Hormuz variables and pre-June-FOMC caution partly cap upside momentum.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan TAIEX 44,257 peak retreats Β· TSMC market cap $4.95T overtakes India in hegemony shift
Taiwan TAIEX saw profit-taking after its 44,257 peak on 5/28. TSMC market cap at $4.95T overtook all of India's stock market, ascending to the world's 5th-largest capital market β AI / HBM twin hegemony continues reshaping the East Asian market landscape.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI 8,228.70 new all-time high; semiconductor leverage ETF debut drives +2.25% surge
On 5/27, the KOSPI jumped 181.19 points (+2.25%) to 8,228.70, marking another all-time high. Samsung and SK Hynix single-stock leverage ETF listings are driving broad memory sector momentum.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDow hits 50,648 new record; S&P 500 at 7,520, Nasdaq 26,674 all-time high triple play
On 5/27, the Dow rose 182.60 points (+0.36%) to 50,644.28 (a new record). The S&P 500 gained 0.02% to 7,520.36, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.07% to 26,674.73. US-Iran ceasefire hopes and memory supercycle momentum are driving simultaneous all-time highs.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan Taiex hits 44,257 new all-time high; TSMC at $4.95 trillion market cap overtakes all of India
On 5/27, Taiwan's stock index rose 1.68% to 44,257, marking a 52-week peak. TSMC has surged 49% year-to-date, bringing its market cap to $4.95 trillion, surpassing India's entire equity market and becoming the world's fifth-largest.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 falls 0.25% to 64,996; Asia-only weakness as profit-taking emerges
On 5/27, the Nikkei dropped 0.25% to 64,996.41. After breaching 65,000, profit-taking has emerged, leaving Japan as the lone Asia underperformer. SoftBank strength is partially offsetting the index's weakness.
Europe STOXX 600 flat; Hong Kong Hang Seng at 25,660 with geopolitical anxiety reflected
On 5/27, STOXX 600 closed nearly flat (+0.1%), and the Hong Kong Hang Seng traded at 25,660 (+0.2%). Concerns over potential US strikes on Iran's southern flank are triggering simultaneous risk-aversion across Europe and Asia.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 7,519.12 record, Nasdaq +1.17% post-Memorial Day strength
5/26 S&P 500 closed +0.61% at record 7,519.12. Nasdaq up +1.17%, Russell 2000 +1.77% joint gains, US-Iran deal hopes and semiconductor rally led with only Dow falling about 80 points.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI 8,047.51 first 8,000 close, foreigners net-buy after 13 days
5/26 KOSPI closed +2.55% at 8,047.51, first 8,000 close ever. Intraday record at 8,131.15, US-Iran peace hopes and Samsung/SK Hynix AI demand led foreigners to flip to net buying after 13 sessions.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 65,202 record, settles above 65,000
5/26 Nikkei closed +2.94% (+1,863p) at record 65,202. Intraday record at 65,408.87, Hormuz reopening hopes and oil decline spread risk-on with Murata, Taiyo Yuden, Fujikura double-digit surges.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan TAIEX 43,644 record, TSMC leads 5th largest historic gain
5/26 Taiwan TAIEX closed at record 43,644, the 5th largest closing gain in history. TSMC +1.8%, MediaTek +10.0%, Delta +8.8% joint strength, 5/27 Tuesday profit-taking opened -0.2% at 43,577.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEMicron breaks $1T market cap, UBS triples price target
5/26 Micron (MU) surged +19% to first break $1 trillion market cap. UBS raised target from $535 to $1,625 (implying $1.8T market cap), AI memory long-term contracts and price visibility driving S&P semiconductor rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 breaks 65,000 for first time, closes at record 65,158
Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.87% to a record 65,158.19 on 5/25. Hormuz reopening expectations sent oil 5% lower, stoking risk appetite, with SoftBank and chip-related names leading the rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan Weighted 43,477 settles above 43,000 first time on AI rally
Taiwan Weighted Index jumped 2.9% (1,209p) to a record 43,477 on 5/25. Electronics and tech up 3.5% led, with TSMC at 40% of market cap rising 1.8% driving strength.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKorea KOSPI reopens 5/26 after Buddha's Birthday substitute holiday
Last trading day 5/22 KOSPI closed at 7,847.71 (+0.41%). After 5/21 record +606p (+8.42%) settling, Nomura set targets at 11,000, Samsung 590,000 won, SK Hynix 4,000,000 won.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEEurope STOXX 600 631.63, two-month high +1%
STOXX 600 rose 1% to 631.63 on 5/25, within 1% of February's all-time high. US-Iran peace hopes drove banks +2%, with Lufthansa +3.4% and Air France +6.2% on the 5% oil drop.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUS Memorial Day closed; S&P futures rally on peace deal hopes
5/25 NYSE and Nasdaq closed but futures rallied on US-Iran peace talks expectations. Prior 5/22 S&P 500 closed at 7,473.47 (+0.37%) for an 8-week winning streak; normal trading resumes 5/26.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 jumps 3%, record 65,408
On 5/25 (Mon), Japan's Nikkei 225 surged over 3% to close at 65,408.87, breaking the 65,000 mark for the first time. Hormuz Strait reopening reports drove oil down and boosted risk appetite. Topix also rose 1.19%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKosdaq surges 4.99%, KOSPI flat at 7,847
On 5/22 (Fri), Kosdaq surged 4.99% to 1,161.13 on AI/semi state fund expectations. KOSPI took a breather after the prior day's rebound, rising 0.41% to 7,847.71. Korean markets are closed 5/25 for the public holiday with trading resuming 5/26.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINETaiwan Weighted record, 43,495 up 2.91%
On 5/25 (Mon), Taiwan Weighted Index rose 2.91% to a record 43,495.92. Australia ASX200 +0.45%, China CSI300 +0.91%, India Nifty50 +1.09% rallied alongside. Hong Kong, Korea, and US markets are closed.
European Stoxx 600 closes at 625.12, up 0.73%
On 5/22 (Fri), pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.73% to 625.12, up about 2.3% for the week. ASML rose nearly 5%, banks like Santander and UniCredit, and industrials like Schneider and Airbus rose more than 2%.
Gold $4,516 down, VIX 16.70, USD/JPY in 159 area
On 5/22 (Fri), spot gold fell 0.58% to $4,516.75/oz; VIX held steady at 16.70 (-0.36%). USD/JPY remained above 159 with weakness persisting; Japan's inflation slowdown eased BOJ tightening pressure. Intervention vigilance at 160 remains.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDow breaks 50,000 with all-time high, S&P 500 posts eighth consecutive weekly gain
On 5/22 Dow rose 0.58% to an all-time high of 50,579.70, and S&P 500 climbed 0.37% to 7,473.47 posting its eighth straight week of gains. Nasdaq also rose 0.19% to 26,343.97 as risk appetite persisted through the weekend.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSDAQ surges 4.99%, side-car triggered on National Growth Fund optimism
On 5/22 KOSDAQ jumped 4.99% to 1,161.13 as the 150 trillion won National Growth Fund's expected 30% KOSDAQ and private equity allocation triggered the buy side-car. EcoPro BYD rose 10.77% and Joosung Engineering surged 20.95%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei jumps 2.68%, SoftBank extends surge to 61 trillion won market cap gain in two days
On 5/22 Nikkei 225 closed up 2.68% at 63,339.07. SoftBank surged an additional 12% gaining 61 trillion won in market cap over two days, with OpenAI and SB Energy IPO plans and Arm's 16% strength reigniting the AI rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI closes up 0.41% at 7,847, foreigners sell 1.9 trillion won
On 5/22 KOSPI rose 32.12 points to 7,847.71. Individuals bought 1.06 trillion and institutions 760 billion won, absorbing 1.93 trillion won in foreign selling as KOSDAQ's strength drew some profit-taking pressure.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEEurope Stoxx 600 at 622, VIX 16.70, gold stable at $4,510
On 5/22 pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.2% to 622. VIX fell to 16.70 as risk appetite held and gold spot stayed around $4,510 per ounce with limited safe-haven demand over the weekend.
S&P -0.35%, Nasdaq -0.48%, Dow -0.17% all close lower
US markets fell across the board May 21 as Treasury yields and crude prices pressured risk assets. Nvidia earnings failed to extend the AI rally, reversing sentiment.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI surges 8.42% to 7,815, Samsung, SK Hynix soar on strike relief
May 21 KOSPI jumped 606 points (8.42%) to 7,815.59 as Samsung strike news triggered buying. Samsung Electronics +8.51%, SK Hynix +11%, reversing memory sector weakness.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 jumps 3.31% to 61,782, Europe's Stoxx 600 weakens
May 21 Nikkei 225 surged 1,977 points (3.31%) to 61,782, driving Asian risk sentiment higher. Europe's STOXX 600 fell to 622.28, adopting a cautious wait-and-see mode on Middle East peace talks.
Nvidia triple surprise yet NVDA declines 0.9% on May 21
Despite triple surprisesβ$81.6B revenue, $80B buyback, $91B Q2 guidanceβNVDA fell 0.9%, repeating post-earnings weakness patterns as markets gave a lukewarm reception.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEEnergy and defense sectors rotate into favor, VIX settles at 17.44
Energy, defense, and industrials surged 22%+ year-to-date replacing tech. Exxon, Chevron, BP, Lockheed Martin led as VIX closed at 17.44, keeping volatility subdued.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENvidia Q1 revenue $44B +69%, EPS 0.81 beats; H20 charge $4.5B weight
Datacenter $39.1B driven growth, consensus beat 8%. H20 inventory reserve shadows upside.
Kospi crushed by 2.9T won foreign seller bomb to 7,208.95 -0.86%
Dipped to 7,000; retail 1.33T, institutions 1.37T bid rescued. Foreign seller pressure topped.
Nikkei 225 59,804 slides 746pt -1.23%; semiconductor profit-taking
Earnings caution, US bond yield pressure weighed. Semis cut broadly.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 7,353, Nasdaq 25,870 close; three-session losing streak
Oil spike, 10Y surge beat risk appetite. Tech -0.84%. Bond rout crushed semis.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEVIX 18.06 +1.35%; Nvidia options flag 5-7% swings expected
Volatility gauge rose to 18s. NVDA options market prices earnings rip potential.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEStoxx 600 611.34 +0.19%; geopolitical deal hopes bid Europe
US-Iran talks buoyed. Energy, defense names led. May momentum intact.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENVIDIA May 20: options market prices $355B swing
NVIDIA reports FY27 Q1 May 20 post-close. May 19 stock traded $217.91-$223.33; options market reflects $355B market cap volatility potential.
US 10-year 4.68%, 30-year 5.2% hit 16-18 year peaks
US 10-year Treasuries jumped 8bp May 19 to 4.68%, 16-month high. 30-year at 5.2% marks 18-year summit; risk assets caught crossfire as cuts fade.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 -0.5%, Nasdaq -0.7% slide three sessions
May 19 S&P shed 0.5%, Nasdaq 0.7%, extending three-session losses. Bond yield spike hammers semis, stoking bull fatigue.
KRW/USD 1,501.36 surges 0.80%; volatility widens
May 19 KRW/USD spiked 0.80% to 1,501.36, briefly touching 1,511. Large swings from May 18 low 1,488.38 flag central bank intervention watch.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEJPMorgan lifts Samsung, SK Hynix targets on memory growth
JPMorgan May 18 bumped Samsung target 480K won, SK Hynix 3M won on structural memory gain. Nomura also hiked 590K and 4M respectively.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 60,550, Hang Seng 25,797 Asia mixed close
May 19 Nikkei 225 closed 60,550.59; Hang Seng +0.48% to 25,797.85. Asia equities diverged amid US bond yield pressure.
KOSPI 7,493βdown 6.12%βafter first-ever 8,000 breach then collapse
Index topped 8,046.78 intraday for historic milestone, then foreign sellers pulled 488 points in rout. Samsung and SK Hynix, which account for 42% of weight, absorbed direct hit. Decline from peak: 8.4%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 down 1.24% to 7,408.50; Nasdaq -1.54%; Dow -1.07%
Tech stocks tumble across three major indices. Dow drops 537 points to 49,526; Nasdaq slides to 26,225. Trump-Xi summit's empty hands sap investor appetite.
10-year yields jump 14bp to 4.59%; 30-year hits year highs at 5.1%
Worst global bond selling in months. 30-year near 2023 peak; Japan and Europe join rout. Warsh's incoming Fed chair draws caution.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWTI $105, Brent $111βweekly +7%βas Strait of Hormuz blocks
Trump's Iran pressure combined with transit limits push crude to May highs. Inflation reacceleration fears compound energy-macro sync.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUSD/KRW at 1,509.60, breaches 1,500 for first time in a month
Foreign KOSPI selling accelerates won weakness; session high 1,506.80. DXY up 1% weekly to 99.28; EUR/USD hits 1-month low at 1.1617.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei 225 slides 2.0% to 61,409; Topix -0.39%
Japan equities catch inflation and rate shock. Topix closes 3,863.97. Asia-wide risk-off deepens; Monday open will reflect Friday's U.S. rout.
KOSPI hits 8,046 intraday, closes down 6.12%
South Korea's index topped 8,046.78 intraday then crashed to 7,493.18. Kosdaq fell 5% to 1,129.82. Profit-taking and foreign sellers fled in tandem.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 at 7,408; Nasdaq 26,225βboth down over 1%
May 15 brought S&P -1.24%, Nasdaq -1.54%, Dow -1.07% as Trump-Xi talks fizzled. Week-to-date both indices managed +0.3%.
Cisco rips 15% on AI networking supercycle
Cisco beat earnings May 13 with EPS $1.06 and $15.84B revenue. Raised Q4 guidance. CEO invoked AI networking; stock soared 15% the next day.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESK Hynix approaches β©2M; Samsung near β©300K as chip duo dominate
On May 13, Samsung and SK Hynix crossed 50% of KOSPI 200 weight for the first time ever. SK Hynix touched β©2M intraday; Samsung neared β©300K on AI memory demand.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei closes 61,409 (-1.99%); Europe powers ahead +2.18%
Japan's Nikkei 225 finished May 15 down nearly 2% at 61,409. Meanwhile, STOXX 50 rallied +2.18% on the week to 5,934; FTSE 100 added 0.46%. Europe outperformed.
Cerebras debuts at $48B; Monday.com +26% on sales beat
Cerebras priced its IPO at $115β125 per share on a $48B valuation; subscriptions oversubscribed 20x. Monday.com posted 24% revenue growth, popped 26%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESamsung crashes 8.6%, KOSPI slumps 6% to 7,493 on memory panic
Union confirms May 21 eighteen-day all-out strike. SK Hynix falls 7.7% in tandem. JPMorgan estimates 210β310 billion won operating profit hit; Seoul calculates 4 trillion won loss.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 retreats from 7,500; Nasdaq -1.5% on Trump-Xi empty-handed
Beijing summit wraps without policy breakthrough; profit-taking rolls out. Intel -5%, AMD -3%, Micron -4% lead selloff. Dow drops 537 points to close.
U.S. 10-year yield hits 4.58%, best in a year; March rate hike fully priced
Iran war inflation pressure drives 10bp jump. In-year rate-hike odds breach 50%. Hormuz blockade persistence fuels hawkish Fed bet acceleration.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINECisco surges 13.4% on $5.3B AI orders, raises guidance
Revenue $15.8B (+12%), EPS $1.06 beats consensus. Q4 guidance $16.7β16.9B issued. AI infrastructure momentum confirmed.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBrent $107, WTI $103; weekly surge +10%
Hormuz blockade cuts off 4M barrels daily flow. IEA warns of supply deficit through October. Trump's "annihilation" Iran warning expands risk premium.
Nikkei falls 61,409 down 2%; Nvidia -4% as H200 China export stalls
U.S. clears H200 sales to 10 Chinese firms; Beijing's non-approval blocks actual shipments. Japan and Asia follow selloff drift.
Cisco surges 15%, lifts AI infrastructure guidance from $5B to $9B
Q3 revenue $15.84B beats consensus. FY2026 AI infrastructure orders now $9B vs $5B prior. Company also announces 4,000 headcount cut; stock rips 15% after-hours.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI hits record 7,844.01, emperor stocks now 11 total
Korean index surges 200.86 points (+2.63%) on 5/13. Samsung and SK Hynix now comprise 51.5% of KOSPI 200 for first time.
SK Hynix market cap and forward PE flip Samsung for first time, closes at 1.976M won
SK Hynix up 78.68% in one month, now tops Samsung in both valuation and PER (6.79x vs 6.77x Samsung).
S&P 500 and Nasdaq post new highs at 7,444 and 26,402; VIX at 17.99
On 5/12, S&P +0.58%, Nasdaq +1.2% reach all-time highs. Dow flat at 49,693. VIX settles normal at 17.99.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDAX +1.4%, FTSE +0.3% on Trump-Xi optimism; Nikkei down 1% at 62,654
On 5/14, DAX 24,462 (+1.4%), FTSE 10,351 (+0.3%) rally on summit hopes. Nikkei 62,654 declines 1%.
Brent oil $110.87, gold $4,730 both gain; Ford +14%, STM +9.53%
Brent rallies to $110.87, gold futures $4,730.70. Ford +14.47% on Q1 earnings; STM +9.53% on AWS AI chip partnership.
Cerebras CBRS lands May 14 at $488B post-money
AI chip maker raises $150-160 range, tops $4.8B proceeds. 20x order oversubscription propels May's biggest tech IPO.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI tears through 7,844 as SK Hynix claims No. 1
KOSPI ripped +200.86 (+2.63%) to record 7,844. SK Hynix +7.68% to 1,976K won now leads market cap. Chip supercycle re-acceleration bets erupted.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBlackstone BXDC lands NYSE May 14 at $1.75B
Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust prices 87.5M shares at $20. First mega-cap data-center REIT IPO.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 hits 7,414, tech carries on past PPI shock
May 13 +0.18% to record. Nvidia, Micron chip rally offset April PPI surprise.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINECisco Q3 EPS $1.03, sales +10%, AI infrastructure momentum
May 13 post-close Q3 results. Revenue consensus $15.58B +10.1% YoY growth outlook. AI infrastructure demand core momentum driver.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei +0.66%, Hang Seng -0.38% marks Korea-Japan strength vs China
May 13 Nikkei225 +0.66%, Hang Seng -100.51p (-0.38%) to 26,247. Asia differential hardened.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq close lower on inflation shock
On May 12, the S&P 500 closed down 0.16% at 7,400.96 and Nasdaq fell 0.71% to 26,088.20. The Dow rose 0.11% to 49,760.56, leaving the session mixed, but the key driver was April CPI coming in at 3.8%, above the 3.7% consensus.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI plunges 2.29%, retreating to 7,643
KOSPI closed May 12 down 179.09 points, or 2.29%, at 7,643.15, ending a five-session advance. Middle East tension and profit-taking hit simultaneously, producing the steepest decline among Asian markets.
USD/KRW jumps to 1,489, won drops 17.5
In Seoul FX trading on May 12, USD/KRW closed at 1,489.9 as of 3:30 p.m., up 17.5 won from the previous close, meaning a sharp drop in the won. Dollar strength and renewed Middle East risk accelerated the move.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yield reaches one-week high near 4.42%
After President Trump rejected Tehran's peace offer and raised doubts about the durability of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose near 4.42% on May 12, a one-week high. Rising inflation risk drove bond selling.
European stocks sell off as Hormuz fears return
On May 12, the pan-European STOXX 600 fell 1.1% to 606 and the eurozone STOXX 50 dropped 1.4% to 5,815. The U.K. FTSE 100 diverged, rising 0.36% to 10,269.43.
Zebra Technologies surges 15.4% on earnings surprise
Asset-tracking technology company Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) surged 15.4% on May 11 after quarterly results beat Wall Street consensus by a wide margin. Amentum Holdings (AMTM) rose 3.4% on its own earnings beat, while the energy ETF XLE gained 2.6% on higher oil.
U.S. big three hit fresh record highs
The S&P 500 rose 0.19% to 7,412.84; the Nasdaq up 0.1% to 26,274.13; the Dow up 95.31 points (0.19%) to 49,704.47. AI trade and Apple strength fueled the rally.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI surges 324 points to fresh 7,822 high
KOSPI rocketed 324.24 points (+4.32%) to 7,822.24, marking five straight record closes. Intraday highs touched 7,899.32, threatening 8,000. KOSDAQ edged down 0.38 points to 1,207.34. Korea's combined market cap breached 7 quadrillion won for the first time.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESK Hynix +11.98%, Samsung +6.33% on HBM
SK Hynix shot 11.98% to β©1.888 million, peaking at β©1.949 million to surpass Broadcom and hit global #14 at a $900B cap. Samsung rose 6.33% to β©285,500 for a fresh high.
Asia mixed, Europe weak
Nikkei 225 fell 0.47% to 62,417.88; Topix rose 0.3% to 3,840.93; China CSI 300 +1.64% to 4,951.84. ASX 200 dropped 0.49%. Pan-European STOXX 600 slid 0.8% to 612 on Hormuz fears, marking a second straight down day.
Brent $104, WTI $98 on Hormuz
WTI surged 2%+ to roughly $98 per barrel; Brent hit $103.77β$104.21, topping May 8's close of $101.29. Trump's Iran rejection and ongoing Hormuz blockade intensify the decade-long dispute. Tanker traffic near zero.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEGold slips on inflation hedging vs. safe haven
Gold prices retreat on oil-driven inflation fears, down 11%+ since the conflict started. Friday's peak of $4,720 marked a four-week high before easing. Safe-haven appeal clashes with inflation-hedge demand.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new records
S&P 500 gained 0.84% to close 7,398.93; Nasdaq up 1.71% to 26,247.08. Dow finished flat at 49,609.16. April's 115,000 jobs surprise and Datadog's 31% surge drove sentiment.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKOSPI reaches new all-time high at 7,498
KOSPI gained 0.11% to 7,498.00, extending a four-day rally to fresh record. KOSDAQ rose 0.71% to 1,207.72. Hyundai Motor Group stocks led the advance.
Asia, Europe retreat amid Iran tensions
Nikkei 225 dropped 0.19% to 62,713; Hang Seng fell 0.87% to 26,393.71. Eurostoxx 50 slid 1.02% to 5,911.53. US-Iran conflict concerns weighed on regional risk assets.
Brent hovers near $101
Brent crude rose roughly 1% to $101.29 per barrel May 8; WTI closed at $95.42. Iran fired missiles at UAE; US counterattacked Iranian tankers, re-pricing geopolitical risk.
Gold steadies at $4,724/oz
Gold spot traded at $4,724/oz on May 8 with modest pullback. Receding peace hopes and resurging inflation fears sustained demand. The price is up $1,364 year-over-year.
Datadog surges 31%; CoreWeave stumbles
Datadog (DDOG) jumped 31%βits biggest move in six yearsβto $188.73 on raised guidance. Palantir (PLTR) also rallied on strong Q1. CoreWeave (CRWV) tumbled 11% on weak outlook; MercadoLibre sank 11.7%, Zoetis 6% on guidance cuts.
Dollar/yen near 156.63; euro around $1.17
USD/JPY fell 0.19% to 156.63 on May 8, capped by Japan's forex intervention threats. EUR/USD hovered near 1.17. Rate-differential pressure on the yen persists.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq Set New All-Time Highs
On May 8, the S&P 500 rose 0.84% to 7,398.93, Nasdaq jumped 1.71% to 26,247.08, both hitting record closes. The Dow held steady at 49,609.16.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINE10-Year Treasury Yield Stabilizes at 4.38%
On May 8, the U.S. 10-year yield closed at 4.38%, 2-year at 3.90%, 30-year at 4.95%. Despite April employment surprise, bond market impact remained limited.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDollar Index Falls Below 98; Weakens on Middle East Uncertainty
DXY declined 0.16% to 97.91 on May 8, returning to pre-war levels. Dollar strength momentum slowed amid U.S.-Iran negotiation uncertainty.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWon-Dollar at 1,468; KOSPI Recovers to 7,498 Edge
On May 8, the Korean won traded at 1,468 per dollar, extending weakness. KOSPI closed up 0.11% at 7,498.00, nearly touching the 7,500 level.
Gold Breaks $4,720; Copper Rallies 3% on Week
On May 8, spot gold surpassed $4,720 per ounce, marking the highest since April 22. Copper futures remained above $6.10 per pound, up over 3% for the week.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBullish Acquires Equiniti for $4.2B; Bayer Acquires Perfuse for up to $2.45B
On May 5, crypto exchange Bullish agreed to acquire UK-based financial outsourcing firm Equiniti from Siris Capital for $4.2 billion. On May 6, Bayer announced acquisition of Perfuse Therapeutics for up to $2.45 billion.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 Closes at All-Time High of 7,365pt
On 5/5, the S&P 500 hit an all-time high of 7,365.12 (+1.46%), the Dow rose 612.34 points to 49,910.59 (+1.24%), and the Nasdaq gained 2.02% to 25,838.94. On 5/7, momentum slowed with mixed results.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEU.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Falls to 4.34%; Inflation Concerns Ease
On 5/7, the 10-year Treasury yield declined 2bp to 4.34%, with 30-year yields at 4.93%. Oil price weakness reduced price-pressure expectations, attracting buyers.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBrent Approaches $100; WTI Declines to $94 Range
On 5/7, Brent crude futures closed approximately 8% lower at $100.45 per barrel, with WTI down 0.28% to $94.81. Risk premiums compressed as markets awaited Iran's response to the U.S. peace proposal.
Norway Delivers First Rate Hike Since 2023; Norges Bank at 4.25%
Norges Bank surprised markets on 5/7 with a 25bp rate hike to 4.25%. Only a handful of Bloomberg survey respondents had anticipated the move, marking Western Europe's first tightening since Iran conflict onset.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDollar Weakens; Israeli Sheqel Reaches 33-Year High
With market expectations of Iran peace progress reducing safe-haven demand, the dollar index softened. The Israeli sheqel reached a 33-year high on 5/7, up 1.1% that day.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINESilver Breaks $79; Gold at $4,685
Silver surged past $79 per ounce on 5/7, while gold traded at $4,685.37, down 0.13%. Oil weakness redirected inflation-hedge demand toward silver.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 Reaches All-Time High of 7,365.12, Up 1.46%
Reports of imminent U.S.-Iran agreement sparked a broad risk-asset explosion, propelling the index into new record territory.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq Climbs 2.02% to 25,838.94; Dow Rises 1.24% to 49,910.59
Technology strength led the broader advance, with the Dow gaining 612.34 points and confirming broad-based rally momentum.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEUber Stock Surges 8.5%; Q1 GBV Hits $53.7B, Up 25% Year-Over-Year
Q1 GAAP EPS totaled $0.13; non-GAAP EPS of $0.72 represents 44% year-over-year growth. Forward guidance of $56.2β$57.7B exceeds consensus.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEDisney Gains 6% in Premarket After Strong Q1 Earnings Surprise
The May 7 report showed Disney beating revenue and earnings expectations in the new CEO's first full quarter.
Intel Jumps 13% to All-Time High Following Apple Chip Deal Talks
Bloomberg's May 5 report of Apple exploring domestic chip production with Intel and Samsung drove an 13% surge. The semiconductor index has rallied 35.2% since April.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEAirbnb Raises Guidance; Middle East Weakness Noted Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Airbnb raised its revenue forecast while acknowledging weakness in certain Middle Eastern markets due to regional conflict, though earnings season momentum remained intact.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P500 at 7,365, Nasdaq at 25,838, Both Post Record Closes
All three major U.S. indices closed at all-time highs on Iran peace negotiations. Dow +1.24%, S&P +1.46%, Nasdaq +2.02%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENikkei Surges Over 5% Next Day, Breaks 62,000 for First Time
On May 7, Nikkei225 surged over 5%, achieving a historic breakthrough above 62,000. Semiconductor and AI stocks led gains.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKospi Breaks 7,000 for First Time; Taiwan Index Also Hits Record
South Korea's Kospi achieved its first-ever breakthrough above 7,000, while Taiwan's weighted index also posted record highs. AI and semiconductor momentum continues.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEShanghai Composite +1.17%, Hang Seng +1.22%, India SENSEX +1.22%
Shanghai 4,160.17, Hang Seng 26,213.78, Australia ASX200 +1.30% to 8,793.60. Asia-wide risk appetite evident.
Supermicro +24.5%, AMD +17.77%; Semiconductor Rally Leads
Supermicro +24.5%, AMD +17.77%, with NVIDIA +5.5% and Intel +4.22% joining the rally, reigniting the AI cycle.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEOil Down $10, Gold and Silver Rise; Digital Assets Mixed
Brent crude plunges to around $106 while gold and silver advance. Bitcoin recovers to the $82,000 range. Distinct divergence across asset classes.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P500 7,259.22, Nasdaq 25,326.13
S&P +0.81%, Dow +356pt to 49,298.34. Technology stocks up over 2%.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEStoxx 600 closes up approximately 0.7%
Most sectors green despite lingering Iran concerns.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEBitcoin breaks $81,000, highest since January
7 AM ET: $80,921, cumulative 5.2% gain over five days.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEEthereum rises 4.66% over five days to $2,374
AI optimism, Iran negotiations, and US cryptocurrency legislation expectations stimulate risk appetite.
Brent crude at $116.55/barrel (8:45 AM ET)
Up $1.54 from previous day, approximately $56 higher year-over-year.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEPfizer +2.2%, reflecting strong earnings
Q1 revenue and EPS exceed consensus, 2026 guidance reconfirmed.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 Reaches All-Time High of 7,259
The S&P 500 rose 0.81% to 7,259.22, establishing a new all-time high supported by strong earnings and declining oil prices.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINENasdaq and Dow Jones Close at Record Levels
The Nasdaq gained 1.03% to close at 25,326.13, while the Dow Jones rose 356.35 points (0.73%) to 49,298.25, with all three major indices hitting all-time highs.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEWTI Retreats 3.9% to $102.27
WTI futures fell 3.9% to $102.27, while Brent declined 3.99% to $109.87, supporting the risk-asset rally.
KOSPI Surges 5.12% Single-Day Rally to 6,936.99
Following the Labor Day holiday, the KOSPI surged 5.12% to close at 6,936.99 on May 4, approaching all-time highs above 7,000.
β¦ RELATED STORYLINEKorean Market Capitalization Reaches 6,058 Trillion Won, Ranks 8th Globally
South Korea's stock market capitalization has surpassed 6,058 trillion won, lifting the market to 8th position globally.
Korean Equities Up 75% Year-to-Dateβ'World's Hottest Market'
Bloomberg reports Korean stock markets have rallied 75% year-to-date in 2026, earning the designation of 'the world's hottest market.'
β¦ RELATED STORYLINES&P 500 Hits 7,230.12 Record
On May 1st, the S&P 500 closed at 7,230.12, up 0.29%, marking a May Day record driven by AI and Apple strength.
Nasdaq Breaches 25K for First Time at 25,114.44
The Nasdaq surged 0.89% to cross the historic 25,000 milestone for the first time. Big Tech earnings and visible AI revenue growth sustained momentum.
Dow Slips Slightly to 49,499.27
The Dow declined 0.31%, lagging due to its lower Big Tech weighting relative to broad-market gains.
May 4: Asia and Europe Turn Mixed
Germany's DAX held steady, France's CAC 40 fell nearly 1%, and the UK observed a holiday, dampening European trading volume. Asian markets opened mixed.
Gold Falls 1.6%; Dollar Strengthens
On May 4th, gold declined approximately 1.6% as dollar strength reduced foreign demand for the safe-haven asset.
Brent Swings Between $100 and $114
July Brent crude settled at $101.26 on May 1st, then surged 6% to $114 on May 4th following reports of U.S.-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz.
S&P 500 Closes at 7,230.12 on May 1βAll-Time High
Up 0.29%, accompanied by Nasdaq record close. Strong big tech earnings and temporary oil stabilization provided tailwinds.
Microsoft Fiscal Q3: Revenue $82.9B (+18%), Azure +40%
EPS of $4.27 (+23%); commercial remaining performance obligations of $627 billion (+99% year-over-year) highlight cloud and AI pipeline visibility.
Apple Fiscal Q2: Revenue $111.2B (+17%), EPS $2.01
Services revenue $30.98B; Greater China $20.5B (+28%). June quarter guidance projects +14% to +17%.
Stratechery: Big Tech Q1 Marks 'AI Capex Cycle' Acceleration
Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon report strong results, driving record AI infrastructure capital expenditure.
FactSet S&P 500 Earnings Season Update as of May 1
Reporting companies are raising guidance at higher rates; consensus EPS growth trends upward early in the season.
BMNR ETH Holdings Reach 5.18 Million Tokens
Bitmine Immersion announced Ethereum holdings of 5.18 million as of April 30, exemplifying corporate asset diversification.
S&P 500 +0.29% to Record 7,230.12
April delivered a 5% monthly gainβstrongest performance since 2020. Apple and Alphabet earnings, combined with moderating oil prices, provided momentum.
KOSPI Closes at 6,598.8 (-1.38%), April +31%
Intraday record of 6,750.27 followed by profit-taking. April's cumulative advance marks the strongest monthly gain since January 1998.
Alphabet After-Hours +6%, EPS $5.11
Q1 revenue of $109.9 billion (+22%) exceeded consensus. AI infrastructure capex guidance was raised, supporting the extended advance.
Meta After-Hours -5%, Q2 Revenue Growth Guidance Tempered
Q1 revenue of $56.3 billion (+33%) and $10.44 EPS posted strong results, yet forward advertising growth moderation sparked selling.
MSFT and AMZN After-Hours Approximately -3%
AI capex guidance and cloud supply constraints weighed on sentiment, though both companies exceeded revenue consensus.
Korean Credit Balances at Record Highsβ¦Near-Term Concentration Risk
With KOSPI approaching the 7,000 level, margin loan and short-selling concerns surface. Exchange data confirms record credit balances.
April 2026 Β· 179
S&P 500 Reaches Record 7,230.12; April Posts Best Monthly Return Since 2020
Dow surged ~800 points on April 29, breaking S&P 500 through 7,200 for the first time; April posted strongest monthly return since 2020. Closed April 30 at record 7,230.12, up 0.29%.
Nikkei Down 1.06%, Topix Falls 1.19% After Reopening; Profit-Taking
Japanese markets retreated upon resuming from closure; Nikkei 225 closed at 59,284.92 (β1.06%), Topix at 3,727.21 (β1.19%).
Hang Seng Down 1.27%, CSI 300 Flat at 4,807.30
Hong Kong Hang Seng finished near day's low at β1.27%. Mainland CSI 300 closed flat at 4,807.30. Overlapping US-China-Iran variables confirm range-bound trading.
South Korean Won Remains Pressured by AI Boom Capital Outflows
Bank of Korea held the base rate at 2.5% on April 10. Despite 2026 Korea GDP guidance at 1.9%, capital flight to US AI boom continues to pressure won weakness.
Apple Q2 Revenue Up 17%, EPS Up 22% in April 30 Results
Apple fiscal 2Q revenue of $111.2B (+17%), EPS +22%. iPhone revenue up 22% to $57B; iPhone 17 lineup rated most popular ever.
Amazon AWS Up 28%, Strongest Growth in Three Years; Microsoft EPS $4.27
Amazon EPS $2.78 (beat expectations of $1.64), revenue $181.52B; AWS grew 28% to $37.59Bβstrongest in three years. Microsoft EPS $4.27, beating consensus by $0.21.
S&P 500 Falls 0.49% to 7,138.80 on OpenAI Report
Following a report about OpenAI missing internal targets, the S&P 500 declined 0.49% on April 28. Approximately 54.1% of U.S. stocks (3,011 issues) participated in the decline.
KOSPI Hits Record 6,641.02; Trading Volume 37.3 Trillion Won
After reaching an intra-day high of 6,712.73, the KOSPI closed at a record 6,641.02 as profit-taking occurred. Trading volume reached 1.1 billion shares with 37.3 trillion won in value, as investors awaited big tech earnings.
DAX Up 0.68%, FTSE MIB Up 1.24%; European Strength
Germany's DAX rose 0.68% and Italy's FTSE MIB climbed 1.24%. By contrast, France's CAC fell 0.53% and Britain's FTSE 100 remained flat.
Nikkei 225 Down 0.34%; Topix Up 0.33%βMixed Session
The Nikkei fell 0.34% while the Topix gained 0.33%. The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose to 2.50%.
S&P 500 Up Over 5% in April; Historical Strength Signal
According to Benzinga, April performances of the S&P 500 exceeding 5% have historically correlated with elevated returns for the remainder of the year.
KOSPI Market Cap Signals Bubble Risk, Bloomberg Warns
Bloomberg has cautioned that South Korea's world-leading equity performance is creating bubble risk in the domestic market.
S&P 500 7,138.80 (β0.49%) β OpenAI Revenue Miss Aftershock
WSJ reporting that OpenAI weekly user and revenue targets missed internal goals. Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom decline sharply; 54.1% (3,011 issues) of U.S. market down.
Brent $111.49 β Hormuz Transit 8 Vessels; 6% of Normal
Al Jazeera: April 28 Sunday passage of 8 vessels versus 19 the day prior and pre-war daily average of 129. Trump's rejection of Iran blockade relief proposal sustains price strength.
Bitcoin $76,342, ETH $2,277 β Weakness Before Fed Meeting
BTC opened $77,368 and fell to $76,472 by 7:10 ET. ETH also declined from $2,303 to $2,278. Both assets sold ahead of April 29 FOMC session.
Spotify Q1 β¬4.53B Revenue, EPS $4.04 β Guidance Disappointment Triggers β13%
MAU surpassed 760 million; EPS beat consensus $3.72 estimate. However, operating income guidance miss plus AI and marketing spend concerns drove post-earnings decline.
LVMH Q1 β¬19.1B (β5.9%) β Middle East Impact β1 Percentage Point
Organic growth +1%; reported basis β5.9%. Asia ex-Japan +7%, Americas +3%; Europe and Japan β3%. Middle East locations report 30β70% sales collapse since March.
Kering (Gucci) β6.2%; Gucci Revenue β¬1.35B (β14.3%)
Kering disclosure (4/15): Gucci reported β14.3%, organic β8%. Iran conflict-driven luxury sector headwinds; Hermes and LVMH also decline.
S&P500 +0.12% to Record 7,173.91
The S&P500 rose 0.12% to 7,173.91 on April 27, marking another all-time high. AI optimism continues to support equities ahead of major tech earnings.
Q1 EPS Growth Revised Up to 27.1%
FactSet revised S&P500 Q1 blended EPS growth to 27.1% from 15.0%, the highest since Q4 2021.
Big Tech Four Plus Apple Report This Week
Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon report Wednesday; Apple on Thursday. AI capex guidance will be the critical volatility variable.
Brent Crude at $106.73; Up $40 Year-over-Year
Brent crude fell 32 cents to $106.73 on April 27 (9 a.m. ET), but remains approximately $40 higher than a year ago.
Europe: EUR/USD Weak, Stoxx600 Flat
Amid stagflation concerns and Hormuz strait risks, EUR/USD remains near recent lows while the Stoxx600 trades sideways.
Dow Jones Down 25.86 Points to 49,141.93
The Dow closed down 25.86 points to 49,141.93, highlighting index divergence.
S&P 500 Up 0.3%, Nasdaq Up 0.7% on April 24
The Dow closed up 43 points (0.1%). Despite Hormuz concerns, U.S. equities finished near all-time highs, supported by semiconductor strength.
Nvidia Reclaims $5 Trillion Market Capitalization
Nvidia's stock surged 5% intraday on the 24th to reclaim the $5 trillion market cap threshold, approaching an all-time closing high. AMD (+13%) and Qualcomm (+10%) rallied in tandem.
Q1 Earnings: 138 S&P 500 Companies Reported; Big Tech on April 29-30
As of the 24th, 138 S&P 500 companies have reported Q1 results. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are expected to report on April 29, with Apple following on April 30.
KOSPI Surges 31% in April; Strongest Month Since January 1998
The Korean KOSPI surged approximately 31% in April, marking the strongest monthly gain since shortly after the 1998 IMF crisis. AI and semiconductor momentum drove performance.
Won-Dollar Exchange Rate at 1,484.5; Foreign Investors Net Sellers
Seoul forex market close on the 24th stood at 1,484.5 won (up 3.5 won from the previous day). Foreign investors recorded net selling of 1.95 trillion won in KOSPI, while domestic investors and institutions net purchased 1.99 trillion won combined.
Bloomberg: Korean Equities Rally Creates Bubble Risk
Bloomberg reported that Korea's world-leading equity rally presents bubble risks. Short-term profit-taking pressures are mounting.
S&P 500 Closes at All-Time High 7,165.08 (+0.80%)
Intel earnings and renewed expectations for US-Iran talks drive gains.
Nasdaq Hits All-Time High 24,836.60 (+1.63%)
Semiconductor sector leadership recovers; AI megacaps expand share.
Dow at 49,230.71 (-0.16%)
Energy and industrial profit-taking; divergence from mega-cap tech.
Bitcoin at $78,107 β Five-Day Gain of 5.81%
Settled in $78K range; cautious mode amid Hormuz volatility.
Ethereum at $2,353 β Five-Day Gain of 2.73%
Stabilized in $2,300s; relative weakness against BTC.
KOSPI Breaks 7,000 for the First Time
Memory supercycle bet drives 'dream milestone' achievement ahead of schedule.
S&P 500 Reaches Record 7,165.08 (+0.80%)
Nasdaq also posts all-time high. Tech sector strength drives index performance.
Nasdaq Inc. Q1 Revenue Up 14% YoY to $1.4B
EPS $0.96 (beat estimate of $0.93). Operating income $799M, +17% YoY.
Brent at $105.33, WTI at $94.40
Volatility narrows on expectations for U.S.βIranβPakistan negotiations.
Bitcoin Up 11.8% in April, Breaks $78K
Bitcoin ETF inflows total $2.1B over 9 consecutive days (April 14β24)βlargest 6-month streak.
81% of S&P 500 Earnings Beats Top EPS Estimates
Among 87 reporting companies, 76% exceeded revenue guidanceβstrong earnings season momentum.
KOSPI Hits All-Time High of 7,490.05
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix lead gains, reflecting strong AI semiconductor export performance.
S&P 500 Closes Up 1.05% to 7,137.90 on April 22
On April 22, the S&P 500 rose 1.05% to 7,137.90, the Nasdaq climbed 1.64% to 24,657.57, and the Dow gained 340.65 points to 49,490.03.
Nikkei 225 Hits All-Time High of 60,013 Then Falls 0.75%
The Nikkei reached an all-time high of 60,013.98 intraday on April 23 before closing down 0.75% at 59,140.23, pressured by profit-taking.
KOSPI Reaches Record High of 6,557 Intraday, Closes Up 0.90% to 6,475
The KOSPI hit an all-time high of 6,557.76 intraday on April 23 before closing up 0.90% at 6,475.81. Combined foreign and institutional selling totaled 331 billion won.
IBM Q1 Revenue $15.63 Billion; Stock Falls 7% After Guidance Hold
IBM reported first-quarter revenue of approximately $15.63 billion with software revenue of $6.98 billion, up 7% year-over-year. Despite beating consensus, the stock fell 7% in after-hours trading due to unchanged guidance.
Bitcoin Opens Above $78,000 on April 23, Up 2.4%; Ethereum at $2,375
Bitcoin opened above $78,000 on April 23, up 2.4% from the prior close. Ethereum opened at $2,375.12 before declining to $2,316.88 by 7:10 a.m.
ECB Holds Policy Rates; Emphasizes Upside Inflation and Downside Growth Risks
The ECB maintained deposit rates at 2% while explicitly highlighting both upside inflation and downside growth risks, expressing concerns about prolonged conflict.
Nasdaq Closes at All-Time High; S&P 500 Up 1%
Ceasefire extension restores risk appetite; Dow rises 0.6%.
Tesla Q1 Revenue $23.8B, EPS $0.41
Gross margin 21.1%; deliveries 358K units fall short of consensus; capex $2.5B.
Boeing Q1 Loss Forecast at $0.59 Per Share
777X cash burn and defense weakness persist; pre-market report.
Nvidia Capable of Generating More Cash Than Apple and Microsoft Combined
BofA highlights shareholder return inflection point; market cap nears $5 trillion.
KOSPI Broadens Emerging Concentration
Samsung and SK Holdings combined represent 65.86% of index; 'K-shaped' divergence risk.
Bitcoin $78,194, Ethereum $2,393; Ceasefire Momentum
Both assets recover February highs during same timeframe.
S&P 500 closes at -0.63%, 7,064.01
Decline driven by concerns over Iran ceasefire expiration. Nasdaq -0.59% at 24,259.96; Dow -0.59% at 49,149.38.
KOSPI reaches all-time high: 6,376.28
Closed up 2.72% intraday. Samsung Electronics +2.1%; SK Hynix +4.97%.
Foreign investor single-day net purchase of 1+ trillion won; 14-day cumulative 5.79 trillion won
April 21 saw single-day foreign net purchases exceeding 1 trillion won, with April 7β21 cumulative reaching 5.7915 trillion won. Concentrated purchases: SK Hynix 2.4128 trillion won; Samsung 1.0946 trillion won.
Nikkei 225 closes +0.89% at 59,349.17
Topix -0.18% at 3,770.38. Mixed sentiment reflects expectations of Middle East diplomatic progress.
VP Vance temporarily halts Iran ceasefire negotiation trip
Reported pause in diplomatic efforts due to lack of commitment from Tehran, widening Wall Street anxiety.
Bitcoin $76,535; Ethereum $2,322; prices rise
BTC +2.7% from prior day; ETH +2.2%. Trump stated the government would consider expanding Bitcoin holdings.
S&P 500 +4.5% Weekly; Nasdaq +6.8%
The S&P 500 rose 4.5%, Nasdaq 6.8%, Dow 3.19%, and Russell 2000 5.57% for the week, with AI stock rotation as the key driver.
Seven of Nine Global Indices Positive Year-to-Date
Among the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and India indices, seven were up as of April 20.
Market Misreading Iran Headlines; Volatility Widening
CNBC reports that analysts observe whipsaw patterns as markets over- and under-interpret Iran conflict news flow.
Q1 Earnings Season Off to a Solid Start
Strong early Q1 2026 results are reinforcing risk-on sentiment.
Oil Declines Fuel Disinflation Hopes
The Strait of Hormuz reopening and resulting crude decline are easing expectations around inflation and rates, powering risk-asset demand.
AI Stock Rotation Driving Momentum
The decisive catalyst for the global risk-on rally is the rotation back into artificial intelligence equities.
S&P 500 Cracks 7,100; Nasdaq Extends to 13-Day Streak
S&P 500 surged 1.2% to 7,126.06 on April 17, piercing 7,100 for the first time; Nasdaq advanced 1.52% to 24,468.48 for its 13th consecutive gainβthe longest since 1992; Dow rose 868.71 points (+1.79%) to 49,447.43.
Netflix Posts $12.25B Q1 Revenue; Stock Falls 9% in After-Hours on Leadership Transition
Netflix reported Q1 revenue of $12.25B, beating consensus of $12.18B, though after-hours trading saw a 9% decline following co-founder Reed Hastings's announcement that he will step down from the board in June.
American Express Q1 Results Beat; Revenue $18.91B (+19.5% YoY), EPS $4.28 (+18% YoY)
American Express posted Q1 revenue of $18.91B and adjusted EPS of $4.28, with 60%+ of 3.4 million new cards issued to millennials and Gen Z. The firm also announced an NFL payments partnership.
ASML Raises 2026 Guidance to β¬36-40B; Korean Customers Now Half of Quarterly Revenue
ASML upgraded 2026 guidance from β¬34-39B to β¬36-40B following Q1 results, with Korean customers comprising roughly half of quarterly sales. Samsung and SK Hynix each placed roughly $8 billion EUV orders within one month.
KOSPI Posts +31% in AprilβStrongest Month Since January 1998
South Korea's KOSPI index surged 31% throughout April, posting its strongest monthly return since January 1998. AI and semiconductor optimism overwhelmed Iran-war concerns.
UnitedHealth Q1 EPS $7.23; Raises Full-Year Guidance by $0.50
UnitedHealth posted Q1 revenue of $111.72B and adjusted EPS of $7.23, raising 2026 guidance from $17.75 to $18.25+. Medical benefit ratio of 83.9% beat consensus of 85.5%.
S&P 500 at 7,126.06βFirst Ever Break Above 7,100
S&P 500 gained 1.2% to 7,126.06 on April 17, crossing the 7,100 threshold for the first time in history.
Nasdaq at 24,468.48βLongest Rally Since 1992 at 13 Days
Nasdaq climbed 1.52% to 24,468.48, extending its winning streak to 13 consecutive sessionsβthe longest run in 34 years.
Dow at 49,447.43βFresh Record on 1.79% Jump
Dow surged 868.71 points to a new all-time high. Temporary ceasefire news and Hormuz reopening optimism provided the catalyst.
Nikkei 225 Falls 1.75% to 58,475.90
Japan's Nikkei declined 1.75% on April 17, pressured by yen volatility and export stock weakness.
KOSPI Down 0.55% to 6,191.92βMemory Chip Profit-Taking
KOSPI retreated 0.55% as SK Hynix and Samsung took profits. SK Hynix joins KOSPI's trillion-won club by market cap.
Hang Seng Drops 1.01%βFinal Hour Selloff
Hong Kong's Hang Seng retreated 1.01% late in the session, with tech and property stocks leading declines.
S&P 500 rises 0.57%, up 10% in Aprilβbest month since November 2020
The S&P 500 gained about 40 points to a record. SPY added 0.5% or $3.54. The index has set seven record closes in April alone.
Nikkei down 1.75% to 68,500; KOSPI down 0.55% to 6,191
The Nikkei closed at 58,475.90; Topix fell 1.41% to 3,760.81. KOSPI ended at 6,191.92 with KOSDAQ up 0.61% to 1,170.04. Chinese CSI 300 fell 0.17% and the Hang Seng dropped 1.01%.
Oil: WTI May down 12% to $83.85; Brent June down 9% to $90.38
Following Iran's Hormuz announcement, WTI May futures plunged approximately 12% to $83.85/barrel, and Brent June fell 9% to $90.38. The volatile trading rangeβfrom $70 to $119 during the conflictβhas compressed to the $90 zone.
Bitcoin gains $960 to $75,746
At 8:45 AM ET on April 17, Bitcoin reached $75,746.90, up $960 from the prior day. Intraday, it touched $78,000, the highest level since early February.
Broad risk-asset rally: Credit and gold join the surge
Bloomberg reports ceasefire bets driving an S&P record, Bitcoin up $12,000, and concurrent strength in credit and gold. The dollar weakened against all major currencies.
Korea's KOSPI gains 30% in Aprilβtop global performer
April gains of 30% mark the KOSPI as the best-performing major global index. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the rally. April 17 itself saw profit-taking pressure at the close.
S&P 500 Closes at 7,022, Breaking January's Peak
The S&P 500 gained 0.8% to close at 7,022, surpassing January's previous record. The benchmark has rallied 11% since its March 30 low.
WTI Crude Plunges 9.8% to $85.37 on Iran's 'Full Opening' Signal
Iran's foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz would be 'fully open,' triggering a 9.8% plunge in WTI May futures to $85.37 per barrel. Brent fell 9.1% to $90.38.
Bitcoin at $74,786; Up $9,240 Versus Year Ago
Bitcoin reached $74,786.04 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on April 16, up $499 from the previous close and $9,240 above the same date one year prior.
BlackRock Upgrades Emerging Markets to 'Overweight', Reassesses South Korea
The world's largest asset manager revised its emerging markets stance to overweight after reassessing South Korea, signaling renewed confidence in the region.
KOSPI Opens at 6,149.49, Up 0.95%
South Korea's benchmark index gained 58.10 points (0.95%) to open at 6,149.49, solidifying record territory.
Emerging Market Bonds Rally in Q1, Powered by Brazil
In Q1 emerging market debt, Brazil's currency strength, real yields, and inflation stability led the market charge. Andean bonds emerged as defensive positions.
S&P 500 Closes at Record 7,022.95
The S&P 500 rose 0.80% to close at 7,022.95, achieving the 7,000 milestone for the first time. Nasdaq climbed 1.59% to 24,016.02. Iran peace expectations and strong BofA results drove the move.
Brent Crude at $96.83; Down $3.36 from Prior Close
Brent crude retreated to $96.83 per barrel on April 15 at 9 a.m. ET, down $3.36 from the prior day, as blockade expectations moderated. The EIA raised its 2026 Brent forecast to $96 per barrel.
ASML Q1 Revenue β¬8.8B; Guidance Raised
ASML posted Q1 revenue of β¬8.8 billion (consensus β¬8.5 billion) and net income of β¬2.8 billion (consensus β¬2.5 billion). 2026 revenue guidance raised to β¬36-40 billion. China export controls reduced China exposure; stock fell 6%.
Bitcoin at $74,286.71; Spot ETF Sees 8-Day Inflow Streak
Bitcoin traded at $74,286.71 as of 9:15 a.m. ET on April 15. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $2.1 billion in net inflows over April 14β23, the longest streak since October 2025. April-to-date inflows totaled $2.44 billion, with BlackRock holding 70% market share.
Norway March Oil Export Revenue Hits Record $6.08B
Norway's March crude export revenue reached 57.4 billion krone (approximately $6.08 billion), the highest on record. Hormuz blockade-driven demand for European alternatives lifted both volume and price.
Gold Breaks $4,800; Safe-Haven Demand Sustained
Gold surpassed $4,800 per ounce as of April 20, retreating roughly 10% from the January record of $5,595. Some analysts maintain year-end targets of $6,000.
S&P 500 at 6,967.38, Nasdaq at 23,639.08βAll-Time Highs
The S&P 500 gained 1.18% and the Nasdaq jumped 1.96% to set new records. The Dow rose 0.66% (317.74 points) to 48,535.99.
JPMorgan's $11.6B Trading Haul, EPS of $5.94 Smash Expectations
Q1 revenue of $50.54 billion beat consensus of $49.17 billion; bond trading revenue surged 21% to $7.08 billion. However, full-year net interest income guidance was trimmed to $103 billion from $104.5 billion.
Goldman Sachs Beats With Q1 EPS of $17.55
Released April 13, Goldman's Q1 EPS of $17.55 exceeded consensus of $16.47; revenue came in at $17.23 billion. Record equity trading revenue drove the outperformance.
LVMH Q1 Misses: β¬19.1B Revenue, +1% Organic Growth Disappoints
LVMH reported April 13 revenue of β¬19.1 billion, down 6% reported, up 1% organicβshort of consensus at 1.5%. Middle East conflict weighed 1 percentage point on organic growth.
Hermès Prints 5.6% Growth but Stock Tumbles 8.2% on Miss
HermΓ¨s' April release showed β¬4.1 billion revenue (up 5.6% YoY) but fell short of consensus 7.1% and was hit by Middle East commentary, triggering an 8.2% share decline on announcement.
Silver Retreats to $73.58; Down 22% From January Peak
Silver fell to approximately $73.58 on April 13, a 22% decline from its January high of $95, widening the gold-to-silver ratio to 64x. Gold was essentially flat.
S&P 500 +1.18% to 6,967 on April 14; back in 2026 positive territory
Dow +0.66% to 48,535; Nasdaq +1.96% to 23,639. Trump's 'Iran wants a deal' comment triggered the bounce.
Brent hits $103.72; Hormuz blockade effect immediate
Iranian storage collapses to 567K bpd. 25% of global seaborne crude routes paralyzed four months running.
Bitcoin $71,188; ETFs post $2.44B net inflow in April
Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy bought 103,690 BTC (Β±$7.5B) in 90 days, absorbing 0.5% of supply. Spot demand shows cracks.
Gold breaches $4,800; 1Q global demand at record high
Jewelry demand down 23% YoY due to price. Some analysts targeting $5,000.
Goldman 1Q sets tone: $17.55 EPS crushes, equity trading revenue all-time $5.33B
IB fees +48%. JPM and Wells Fargo earnings due the next day.
Kering/Gucci 1Q revenue β¬135M, down 14.3%
Demna's first quarter disappoints. LVMH softens: +1% YoY, below consensus 1.5%.
S&P 500 Closes 6,816.89
April 10: -0.11%, Nasdaq +0.35% at 22,902.89, Dow -0.56% at 47,916.57. NVIDIA and Broadcom led the tape.
Nikkei Opens Soft: -0.88%
April 13 Tokyo open: Nikkei 225 at 56,421.46, -502.65 points (-0.88%).
Kospi Volatile: -2.08% Open, -0.86% Close
Same day: Kospi opened at 5,737.28 (-121.59, -2.08%), recovered to 5,808.62 (-0.86% close). Kosdaq +0.57%.
Brent Crude Volatility: $114 Swings
BOJ downwardly revised 2026 Japan growth forecasts to reflect Hormuz volatility and Brent's $114 shock.
Bitcoin Surges to $70,756; April +12.7%
April 13: BTC breached $70,756, marking April's +12.7% monthly gainβhighest monthly return since April 2025.
SPEM EM ETF Outperforms: +9% YTD
The Invesco Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) outpaced S&P 500 and Russell 3000 ETFs through April 27, posting +9% YTD.
Dow Closes Down 269.23 Points at 47,916.57
On April 10, the Dow fell 0.56%, S&P 500 declined 0.11% to 6,816.89, and Nasdaq rose 0.35% to 22,902.89. For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted +3.6% and +4.7% respectivelyβtheir strongest week since May prior.
Brent at $101.91, WTI at $92.96 (Week)
Following ceasefire extension, Iran's claim of seizing two ships pushed Brent to $101.91 (+3%) and WTI to $92.96, maintaining volatility. April 11's supertanker transit provided short-term relief.
KOSPI Posts 31% April GainβStrongest Month Since 1998
South Korea's KOSPI surged 31% in April on semiconductor and AI euphoria, achieving its strongest monthly performance since January 1998. Record margin loan balances signal mounting short-term overheating risks.
JPMorgan Q1 2026 EPS $5.94 Beats Consensus
(Released April 14) JPMorgan's first-quarter net income totaled $16.5 billion with EPS of $5.94, surpassing consensus of $5.45. Net revenue rose 10% to $50.5 billion, net interest income up 9% to $25.5 billion. 2026 NII guidance lowered to $103 billion.
Sun Pharma Acquires Organon for $11.75 Billion
On April 26, Sun Pharma of India agreed to acquire U.S. pharmaceutical firm Organon for $11.75 billion, a landmark cross-border healthcare M&A that bolstered late-April market momentum.
Hyundai, SK Motors Ex-Dividend Dates: April 17, 24
Samsung Electronics makes first special dividend payment since 2020 on April 17; Kia on April 20; SK Hynix and Hyundai Motor on April 24.
S&P 500 edges down to 6,816.89 (-0.11%); weekly rally fizzles
Ceasefire fractures and CPI shock weigh on Dow and Nasdaq. May record high above 7,200 deferred to April 29-30.
Brent $97.78, up $31 year-over-year
Saudi strike and Hormuz toll push drive April 10 jump of $4.02. BLS reports Q1 crude and refined product prices spiking.
BTC $72,204 / ETH $2,182; ceasefire tremors fuel volatility
BTC +$298 rebound on April 10 morning; ETH down 2.3% on April 9. Hormuz blockade uncertainty caps rally momentum.
Life Biosciences Series B $80 million
Boston biotech locks in Series B for ER-100 epigenetic reprogramming ophthalmology candidates.
Chapter Series E $100 million; Medicare navigation SaaS
Techstars, 8VC, SV Angel, XYZ, Maverick participate. Over-$100-million round for beneficiary-matching platform.
SiFive Series G $400 million, $3.65 billion valuation
Atreides and NVIDIA co-lead. RISC-V IP house enters mega-round tier riding AI and embedded demand.
S&P 500 posts seven-day winning streak, longest since October
Reports that Israel will negotiate directly with Lebanon, combined with oil sliding below $100, boosted risk assets.
Brent spot $124.68 vs June futures $94.75
Despite ceasefire, shipping costs, insurance premiums, and concern over 13 million barrels per day of lost production widened the contango to $30.
WTI -13%, Brent -12.78% on ceasefire announcement
WTI briefly broke below $98, Brent fell to $95.31, then both bounced on fresh Hormuz closure fears.
JPMorgan trading revenue hits record $11.6B
Record equities trading drove Q1 EPS to $5.94. Goldman Sachs also beat expectations on record equities trading.
Tech reshuffles capital; Q1 VC hits $300B record
Four mega-dealsβOpenAI $122B, Anthropic $30B, xAI $20B, Waymo $16Bβaccounted for 65% of global VC.
Spot Bitcoin ETF nets roughly $2B in April
The largest monthly inflow since October, with Morgan Stanley's MSBT launching at 0.14% feeβthe cheapest spot BTC ETF to date.
S&P 500 Extends Seven-Day Win Streak, Longest Since October 2025
Bloomberg reported April 8 that the S&P 500 extended its longest winning streak since October 2025 to seven consecutive sessions.
WTI Crashes Below $95, $100 Barrier Falls as Energy Crisis Fears Fade
WTI closed below $95 as the ceasefire removed worst-case scenarios, shattering the $100 level and reviving some Fed rate-cut bets.
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index Hits Intraday Record, First Since February
Strength in Lam Research, Applied Materials, Western Digital, Micron, Intel, ASML, and KLA pushed the SOX and iShares Semiconductor ETF to new intraday records for the first time since February.
KOSPI Rallies 31% in April Aloneβ¦Strongest Month Since January 1998
CNBC reported late April that the KOSPI looked set to post roughly a 31% monthly surge, the strongest calendar month since January 1998.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Rocket 35% and 60% Respectively in April
AI semiconductor tailwinds fueled South Korea's heavyweights, with SK Hynix up 60% and Samsung up 35% during April, pushing South Korea's market cap above Britain's.
US 1Q Crude and Refined-Product Prices Surge
The EIA reported that first-quarter crude and refined-product prices both spiked, underscoring Middle East conflict's global price transmission.
S&P 500 at 6,616.85, up 0.08% on diplomatic relief
Closed up 0.08%; Hormuz deadline imminent fed bargain-hunting. Nasdaq 22,017.85 (+0.10%); Dow 46,584.46 (-0.18%).
Kospi +31% in Aprilβstrongest month since 1998
Month climbs 30.9%, marking 28-year high. AI and semiconductor optimism overshadow Iran war concerns.
Samsung Electronics +35%, SK Hynix +60% for the month
Memory duo explodes. April 7 single surge of 13.40% drives Kospi to new record 7,384.56.
Korean stocks post world's strongest rally; bubble warnings mount
Bloomberg flags 70%+ annual gains as bubble risk. Foreign capital floods into memory and AI themes.
ETF Trends updates real returns since 2000 dot-com peak
April update on S&P, Dow, Nasdaq real returns since 2000 high, benchmarked against AI cycle gains.
Ethereum ETF inflows hit $11.6 billion YTD
BlackRock's ETHA leads in trading volume; Fidelity's FETH differentiates via self-custody. Cumulative April inflows $11.6 billion.
S&P 500 at 6,616.85, Nasdaq at 22,017.85, Dow at 46,584.46
US markets closed April 6 firmer on Pakistan mediation expectations: S&P 500 +0.08 percent to 6,616.85, Nasdaq +0.10 percent to 22,017.85, while the Dow declined 0.18 percent to 46,584.46.
Brent crude at $111.25; EIA projects April gasoline at $4.30
Brent traded at $111.25/barrel at 9am ET on April 6, having peaked at $128/barrel on April 2. EIA forecasts April US gasoline monthly average of $4.30/gallon.
Neurocrine acquires Soleno for $2.9 billion in cash deal
April 6: Neurocrine Biosciences agreed to acquire Soleno Therapeutics at $53/share in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.9 billion.
Ares Management buys Whitestone REIT for $1.7 billion all-cash
Ares Management agreed to acquire Whitestone REIT at $19/share, totaling approximately $1.7 billion in an all-cash transaction.
Kospi closes May 6 at 7,384.56 with YTD gain of 75.2 percent
Seoul Economic Daily: Kospi finished May 6 at 7,384.56 (intraday high 7,426.60), marking a 75.2 percent YTD rally and pushing market cap to 6,058 trillion wonβrising to eighth globally.
Paramount-WBD: Gulf funds commit $24 billion
Deadline reported April 6 that Paramount secured $24 billion in equity commitments from Saudi PIF, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding for the WBD deal.
WTI peaks at $114.58 April 7; April closes near $100
WTI swung from April 17 low of $85.91 to April 7 peak of $114.58, settling the month near $99.89. Brent fell 3.41% to close at $114.01. S&P 500 ripped 10.4% in Aprilβstrongest monthly gain since November 2020.
Bloomberg Graphics: oil-shock scenarios if Hormuz stays shut
Bloomberg visualized crude outcomes under Hormuz closure. Brent breached $100 for the first time in four years on March 8; the $126 peak came after.
Wikipedia: 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis
Wikipedia logged that Hormuz has been de facto sealed since late February, after US-Israel airstrikes on Iran. The IRGC formally declared closure March 27; by April 21, the IMO reported 20,000 mariners and 2,000 vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf.
OPEC+ raises output 206,000 barrels daily, two months running
OPEC+ agreed April 5 to boost daily crude quota by 206,000 barrels in response to infrastructure damage and shipping snarlsβa second straight monthly increase.
Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and allies: 9.1mb/d shut-in
The EIA estimated GCC-6 cumulative March shut-ins at 7.5mb/d; April expanded to 9.1mb/d. US LNG export neared 18 bcf/d, widening the Henry Hub-Asia spread.
S&P 500 +10.4%, Nasdaq +15.3% in April
S&P 500 gained 10.4%, Nasdaq 15.3%, and Dow 7.1%βall strongest monthly closes since April 2020 and November 2024. Oil volatility and earnings both drove the rally.
S&P 500 rallies +10% in April, best month since November 2020
The S&P 500 gained more than 10% in April, posting its largest monthly gain since November 2020; Nasdaq surged over 15%. Q1 earnings and easing Middle East tensions fueled the move.
Brent re-tests peak near $126.41; late-month spike
Brent crude re-traced its crisis high to $126.41/barrel in late April. Hormuz shipments cratering from 20mb/d to 3.8mb/d fueled a broader refined-products rally.
Tesla quietly discloses $2B AI hardware acquisition
Tesla's Q1 2026 10-Q revealed a deal signed in April to buy an unnamed AI hardware firm for as much as $2B in stock and equity awards, with about $1.8B contingent on performance milestones.
Tesla reclaims global EV crown with 358k Q1 deliveries
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles globally in Q1 2026, overtaking BYD's 310,389. BYD's BEV quarterly deliveries fell 25.5% year-over-year.
S&P Dow Jones releases April index review
S&P Dow Jones Indices published its April 23 review of S&P 500 Scored & Screened indices. Quarterly rebalancing drives global passive-fund repositioning.
Bitcoin ETF inflows surge to $2.44B in Aprilβbest month yet
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs took in $2.44B in April (double March's $1.32B). BlackRock's IBIT captured 70% of inflows, lifting cumulative inflows to $58.5B and AUM to roughly $102B.
Sysco snags Restaurant Depot for $29.1 billion
March 30: Sysco buys Jetro Restaurant Depot parent for ~$29.1B ($21.6B cash + 9.15M shares), securing 166 warehouses across 35 states and 725k+ independent restaurant customers. Targeting $250M synergies.
Intel buys back Apollo's 49% stake in Irish Fab 34 for $14.2B
Intel repurchases Apollo's joint-venture minority stake in Ireland's advanced fab for $14.2B, unwinding 2024 financing pact and rebalancing capex structure.
Eli Lilly acquires Centessa for $6.3B plus $1.5B CVR
Lilly scoops up Centessa Pharmaceuticals for $6.3B upfront plus $1.5B contingent payout, securing OX2R agonist cleminorexton pipeline in sleep-wake disorders.
Hg takes OneStream private at $6.4 billion
Private equity firm Hg buys OneStream alongside General Atlantic and Tidemark for $6.4B, consolidating corporate finance SaaS footprint.
Iran war whipsaws US equities; Brent holds above $100
Nasdaq tumbles into correction territory; Dow joins losses. 10-year yields breach 4.4%; Brent crude bounces above $100/bbl as Hormuz throughput collapses.
OpenAI closes $122B mega-round at $852B valuation
OpenAI caps largest funding round ever at $122B, post-money $852B. Amazon $50B, Nvidia $30B, SoftBank $30B anchor investor block alongside MS, a16z.
U.S. equities mixed April 2: Dow β61.07 points, S&P +0.11%, Nasdaq +0.18%
Dow fell 61.07 points (0.13%) to 46,504.67; S&P 500 rose 0.11% to 6,582.69; Nasdaq gained 0.18% to 21,879.18. Trump's vow to sustain Iran operations lifted crude, driving equity volatility.
April BTC spot ETFs pour in $2.44B, strongest month since October 2025
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged about $1.97β2.44 billion net inflows in April, the strongest institutional bid since October 2025. BTC rallied from $68K to $78K (+11.8%).
SK Hynix Q1 operating profit 37.61 trillion won, +405% year-over-year
SK Hynix Q1 operating profit hit 37.61 trillion won (up 96% QoQ, up 405% YoY), revenue 52.58 trillion won, operating margin 72%. Post-confidential F-1 filing, U.S. ADR listing target for JuneβJuly at $10 billion raise.
Brent March average $103/b; Q2 2026 peak forecast at $115/b
EIA pegged March Brent average at $103/barrel, with peak Q2 2026 forecast around $115/barrel before production shutins ease.
Q1 2026 M&A hits $1.3 trillion; energy, finance, tech, healthcare, infrastructure all expand
Q1 2026 M&A volume exceeded $1.3 trillion across energy, finance, tech, healthcare, and infrastructure. Major deals April 24β27: J&JβAtraverse, Sun PharmaβOrganon ($11.75B), ForviaβApollo ($2.1B).
Fortune flags oil surge April 2 as Iran tensions persist
Fortune reported April 2 that Trump's "continued Iran ops" remarks and crude gains drove equity swings.
Dow +1,000, Nasdaq +3.4% β ceasefire hopes ignite rally
Iranian President's peace signal on March 31 sparked Dow jump over 1,000 and Nasdaq climb of roughly 3.4%.
BTC at $66K, ETH at $2,030 β weak open
BTC opened March 31 at $68,097 and fell to $66,172 by 8:10am EST; ETH opened at $2,139 and dropped to $2,030.
McCormick-Unilever Foods and Eli Lilly mega-deals announced same day
McCormick and Unilever Foods announced a roughly $44.8 billion merger on March 31; Eli Lilly simultaneously announced acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.3 billion.
TSMC advanced nodes booked through 2028
TSMC's 2nm slots claimed entirely by Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm; 3nm running at full capacity since 2023, with some advanced packaging outsourced to ASE and Amkor.
Brent holds $80-82 range; US average gas breaks $4
Brent crude rallied roughly 10-13% to $80-82; US average gasoline surpassed $4 per gallon by end of March.