Stocks Hit

• US stock markets have reached record highs in 2026, driven primarily by continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence technologies. • South Korea has surpassed India to become the world's sixth-largest stock market, fueled by the market capitalization of semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. • Taiwan continues to strengthen its global market position due to its dominant control over the international semiconductor supply chain.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs, driven by investor enthusiasm surrounding the artificial intelligence boom. • Oil prices surged by more than 3% due to concerns over the fragility of the conflict's end in Iran. • Regional performance was mixed, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.8% and Taiwan's Taiex climbing 1.4%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.3% following reports of softened factory activity and slowing export demand in May.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs on Monday, driven primarily by investor enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence boom and advanced technology stocks. • Oil prices rose by more than 2% as the market reacted to the fragility of the Iran war ceasefire and ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations. • Key diplomatic discussions are currently focused on the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway for the transit of natural gas and oil.

• South Korea's Kospi index reached a record high on Monday, bolstered by a more than 3% surge in Samsung shares, which also hit an all-time high. • The rally occurred despite mixed trading across Asia-Pacific markets as investors reacted to ongoing uncertainty regarding U.S.-Iran negotiations. • President Trump signaled a cautious approach to ending the conflict, stating he was in "no hurry" to strike a deal after four months of tension.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached record highs following reports of potential deal hopes between the US and Iran. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.9% to 25,222.38 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbing 1.6% to 8,731.70. • In contrast, the Shanghai Composite index declined by 0.9% to 4,063.56, while Taiwan's Taiex saw a significant increase of 2.5%.

• 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.

• ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos warned on Wednesday that the risk of a market correction is "elevated" as global stock indices continue to hit record highs. • De Guindos cited a volatile combination of outsized market valuations, fiscal challenges, and vulnerabilities within private credit as primary drivers of this instability. • Geopolitical turmoil, specifically mentioning the war in Iran, is highlighted as a significant external risk that could trigger a downturn.