The focus of AI trading shifts eastward, the South Korean Composite Index breaks through the 6,000-point mark for the first time, the Nikkei opens 0.7% higher, and gold stabilizes in shock

# Translation

By Bao Yilong

Source: Wall Street News

The Nikkei 225 opened 0.7% higher, and South Korea’s KOSPI opened 1% higher. Gold stabilized above $5,100, while the U.S. dollar held steady. Market focus is on NVIDIA’s earnings report due tomorrow, which will serve as a key barometer for judging whether the global AI boom can sustain.

Anthropic said it will proactively build industry partnerships, easing earlier concerns over an “AI shock.” Driven by a strong rebound in U.S. tech stocks overnight, Asian equities opened broadly higher. The KOSPI broke above the 6,000-point level for the first time in history. Gold’s correction slowed, stabilizing above $5,100.

Overall sentiment in Asian markets continued to improve on Wednesday. The Nikkei 225 opened 0.7% higher and the KOSPI 1% higher, leading gains in early Asian trading, with a cumulative surge of 125% over the past year.

(KOSPI opens 1% higher, rising above 6,000 for the first time)

In contrast to recent volatility among major U.S. tech giants, South Korean stocks have rallied sharply. It took the KOSPI just one month to jump from breaking above 5,000 on January 22 to the new milestone, and it has gained 43% so far this year. The key drivers behind the move are South Korea’s two memory chip giants: Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Over the past six months, SK Hynix’s share price has soared 300%, Samsung Electronics has risen 180%, while NVIDIA’s gain over the same period stood at just 8%.

This extreme divergence shows capital is aggressively chasing the most resilient memory segment in AI hardware. The South Korean market is displaying classic short-squeeze characteristics, with “spot prices and volatility rising in tandem.” Although the RSI reading of 79 signals overbought conditions, frenzied call option buying suggests the bubble has not yet peaked.

Notably, NVIDIA—the global bellwether for AI—will release its latest quarterly earnings tomorrow. The report will not only determine the short-term fate of U.S. tech stocks but also provide critical guidance for global investors assessing whether the “AI frenzy is sustainable.”

Against a backdrop of temporarily improving equity sentiment, other asset classes traded flat. The U.S. Dollar Index held steady, and gold consolidated around $5,140.

Further updates to come.

## Risk Warning and Disclaimer

The market is subject to risks, and investment involves caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are appropriate for their particular circumstances. Any investment made based on this article is at one’s own risk.