Asia Market Close: Seoul KOSPI Jumps 1.4% to Record on Chip Rally; Hong Kong, Tokyo Ease
Asian markets closed mixed on Wednesday, September 9, as a strong rally in South Korean technology and semiconductor stocks lifted the KOSPI to a fresh record, while equities in Hong Kong and Tokyo edged lower.$NVDAB
South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed 1.4%, gaining 97.12 points to close at 7,051.64. The index moved back above the 7,000 level for the first time in roughly six weeks, with investors encouraged by continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and semiconductor demand.
Chipmakers were among the main drivers of the Seoul rally. SK hynix advanced 3.51%, while battery and AI-infrastructure stocks also recorded solid gains. The broader technology rally came despite concerns about escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices.
Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.19% to 65,142.78. Semiconductor-related shares including Advantest and Tokyo Electron weakened, contributing to the market’s decline after recent gains.
Hong Kong stocks also ended slightly lower. The Hang Seng Index fell about 0.17% to 25,274, while the Hang Seng TECH Index declined 0.8%. Some technology names gained, but weakness in companies including Meituan and Xiaomi weighed on the broader market.
Mainland Chinese equities, meanwhile, posted modest gains. The Shanghai Composite rose 0.28%, while the CSI 300 added 0.30%. Taiwan’s TAIEX also edged higher by 0.16%, although chip giant TSMC slipped 0.2%.
The mixed performance highlights the continuing strength of the AI and semiconductor trade, even as investors remain cautious about geopolitical risks and higher energy prices. Global oil prices have been climbing amid concerns about supply disruptions, adding another source of uncertainty for Asian markets.$NVDA.US
For now, investors are balancing strong expectations for AI-related technology demand against inflation and geopolitical risks. The performance of semiconductor stocks is likely to remain a key factor for Asian equities in the sessions ahead.$AAPLB
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