Record Rally

• Asian stock markets, including Japan, South Korea, the Hang Seng Index, and the Shanghai Composite, plunged on Monday following a period of record AI-driven rallies. • Taiwan's Taiex saw a sharp decline, highlighted by a 3% drop in shares of semiconductor giant TSMC, a critical supplier for Nvidia. • The downturn is attributed to a correction after recent tech surges and renewed instability caused by attacks in Iran.

• Asian stock markets, including South Korea, Japan, the Hang Seng Index, and the Shanghai Composite, plunged on Monday following a period of record AI-driven gains. • Taiwan's Taiex saw a sharp decline, highlighted by a 3% drop in shares of semiconductor giant TSMC, a critical supplier for Nvidia. • The downturn is attributed to a correction after a massive tech rally and heightened geopolitical tensions following renewed attacks from Iran.

• Asian stock markets rallied on Friday, with South Korea's KOSPI index reaching record highs. • The surge was driven by investor optimism following reports of a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension between the United States and Iran. • Gains were particularly strong in the technology sectors of Japan, South Korea, and China, while financial services led growth in Hong Kong and Singapore.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged over 2.8% to surpass the 65,000 mark for the first time in history. • The record rally was driven by strong technology sector earnings and growing optimism surrounding U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. • This surge reflects a broader improvement in global risk sentiment, with positive gains also seen in China's Shanghai Composite and Australia's S&P/ASX 200.

• U.S. stocks surged last week with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ reaching new record highs, supported by stronger-than-expected April jobs data and solid tech earnings. • The S&P 500 climbed 10.42% in April to close at a record 7,209.01, while the Nasdaq 100 rallied 15.64% and Dow gained 7.14%, led by mega-cap tech and AI enthusiasm. • Employment growth exceeded forecasts in April with unemployment steady at 4.3%, while Q1 earnings for the Magnificent Seven are projected to grow 45.7% year-over-year.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 Index jumped nearly 6% after returning from holiday, joining South Korean and Taiwanese equities at record peaks on strong AI-driven tech earnings momentum. • South Korea's KOSPI surged 75% year-to-date, the world's best-performing major stock market, while Samsung joined the $1 trillion company club amid the regional rally. • The AI boom is showing disproportionately in Asia compared to U.S. markets, with Taiwan stocks up 45% and Nikkei up 25% for 2026, outpacing the Nasdaq's 11% gain.

Exxon Mobil and Chevron shares surged over 20% year-to-date, reaching record highs as crude oil approached $100 per barrel due to supply fears. U.S. oil producers benefit from domestic output buffering global disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This sector strength offsets broader market declines, with the Dow down 6% monthly. Analysts warn of inflation risks persisting post-conflict.