Tech Earnings Boost Asia-Pacific Stocks, S. Korea and Japan Hit All-Time Highs; Uncertain Negotiation Prospects Push Crude Oil Up 4% Briefly
The Iran situation triggered sharp fluctuations in international oil prices, which once dragged down global market risk appetite. However, tech companies have successively released strong financial reports to provide strong support. Asia-Pacific stocks opened higher and moved higher, with both South Korean and Japanese stock markets hitting all-time highs.
On Thursday, Asia-Pacific stocks generally showed a strong trend. The impressive earnings performance of tech companies continued to boost investor confidence and drive the market to rise steadily. However, the sudden surge in international oil prices once interrupted the upward rhythm of the Asia-Pacific market, triggering short-term fluctuations.
It is reported that after US President Trump announced the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire period on Tuesday local time, the prospect of a new round of negotiations between the two sides remains uncertain. During the extended ceasefire period, both the US and Iran imposed blockades on the Strait of Hormuz, attempting to gain negotiating leverage through this method. Tehran, Iran, clearly stated that it has no plan to participate in negotiations in the near future, further exacerbating market concerns about the situation.
Driven by geopolitical tensions, Brent crude oil futures jumped 4.2% in early trading, with prices breaking through $106 per barrel; WTI crude oil futures rose by up to 4%, touching above $97 per barrel, intensifying volatility in the energy market.
During the oil price surge, global risk assets experienced a short-term correction: S&P 500 Index futures fell by as much as 0.9%, the Nikkei 225 Index dropped 1% briefly, and the USD/JPY exchange rate also hit 159.68 temporarily, with market risk aversion heating up briefly.
Subsequently, the increase in oil prices narrowed rapidly to less than 1%, and various assets that had previously corrected rebounded quickly. Market sentiment gradually stabilized, and Asia-Pacific stocks returned to the upward channel.
Chip Sector Leads Gains, S. Korean and Japanese Stock Markets Set New Historical Records
The strong performance of the Asia-Pacific tech sector became the core driving force of the market, with the chip sector leading the gains. It is reported that the Q1 2026 financial results of SK Hynix far exceeded market expectations, with operating profit increasing by more than five times year-on-year, driving related stocks to rise sharply. Boosted by this, SK Hynix's stock price rose more than 3% intraday, and Samsung Electronics' stock price rose more than 4%, with South Korean tech stocks performing brightly.
SK Hynix's impressive results injected strong confidence into the entire Asia-Pacific tech sector, driving regional tech stocks to rise collectively. On the same day, the Asian Tech Stock Index rose about 1%, the South Korea Seoul Composite Index expanded its gain to 2.1%, successfully hitting an all-time high; at the same time, theNikkei 225 Index broke through the 60,000-point integer mark for the first time in history. Both South Korean and Japanese stock markets set new historical records, showing strong market vitality.
Thi
s trend resonated with the strength of the US chip sector. It is reported that US chip stocks have risen for 16 consecutive trading days, setting the longest winning streak in history, and the
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index also hit an all-time high simultaneously, marking the start of a new boom cycle in the global chip industry.
Data from Bloomberg Industry Research shows that the semiconductor industry's revenue is expected to grow by about 57% in 2026. This growth rate is twice that of the overall tech industry and far higher than the expected 9.3% growth rate of the S&P 500 Index, indicating a clear high-growth trend in the industry.
Gary Tan, fund manager at Allspring Global Investments, said:
The recent strength of Asia-Pacific tech stocks despite continued supply chain disruptions indicates that investors' tolerance for short-term geopolitical risks is increasing. However, whether sustained revaluation relative to US stocks can be achieved may depend on capital expenditure signals in the financial reports of tech giants next week.
Sharp Volatility in Oil Prices, Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire Situation
Although the strong performance of tech stocks drove the overall market higher, the abnormal fluctuations in international oil prices still kept the market on edge, and the disturbance of geopolitical risks to the energy market persisted. On the same day, Brent crude oil futures rose above $106 intraday, and WTI crude oil futures broke through $97 briefly, after which their gains narrowed rapidly to less than 1%, showing a trend of sharp volatility.
Carol Kong, strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney, said:
The short and rapid market fluctuations indicate that market participants remain highly vigilant about the fragile US-Iran ceasefire situation.
According to relevant reports, the US and Iran failed to hold a new round of peace talks as scheduled. Currently, both sides are wrestling over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, trying to gain more favorable negotiating leverage during the extended ceasefire period, and the situation has reached a stalemate.
Tehran, Iran, clearly stated that it has no intention of participating in negotiations in the near future. As an important global energy transportation channel, the continuous blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has kept international energy prices at a high level, which not only exacerbates concerns about global energy supply but also brings dual pressures to the global inflation and economic growth prospects.
In terms of macro data, theSouth Korea Q1 GDP growth rate hit the fastest pace since Q3 2020. The strong economic data provided additional support for the strong performance of the Asia-Pacific market on the day, further boosting market confidence.
As of the close of the Asia-Pacific morning session, S&P 500 Index futures fell about 0.2%, and Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 0.4%, with European and American market futures showing a slight correction trend.
The 10-year US Treasury yield was basically flat at 4.31%, maintaining relative stability.
Bitcoin fell slightly by 0.4%, with the cryptocurrency market performing flat; spot gold fluctuated sideways around $4,730 per ounce, and its safe-haven attribute was not significantly released.
Risk Warning and Disclaimer
The market is risky, and investment needs to be cautious. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views or conclusions in this article are in line with their specific situation. Investment based on this is at your own risk.
+1 6269975768
微信
Teams