Japan and South Korea Stocks Open Higher; KOSPI Rises Over 1% as SK Hynix, Samsung Gain

TradingKey - On August 10, Japanese and South Korean stock markets opened stronger. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened up 0.8% at 6,306.33 points, and later rose 1.72% to 6,366.71 points.

Source: TradingView

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index opened up 0.5% at 65,905.10 points, and later extended gains to 1.10% at 66,329.75 points.

In individual stocks, South Korean chipmakers extended their rebound, with SK Hynix rising 3.09% to 1,466,000 won (approximately $1,038), while Samsung Electronics climbed 2.60% to 237,000 won.

Kioxia rose 0.57% to 48,000 yen (approximately $304), while SoftBank Group fell 2.40% to 5,419 yen.

The positive performance in Asian markets was boosted by the rebound in U.S. stocks last week. The latest U.S. non-farm payrolls data was weaker than expected, reinforcing market expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut and driving the three major U.S. indexes higher last week. The S&P 500 Index rose 0.62% on Friday to 7,757.64 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.28% to 54,036.93 points, and the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.30% to 26,690.62 points.

Entering this week, macroeconomic data will be a key variable affecting global risk assets, with the U.S. July CPI scheduled for release on August 12 and the PPI on August 13.

In addition, the U.S.-Iran negotiations and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remain the focus of market attention. Meanwhile, Cisco ( CSCO) and other U.S. tech companies' earnings, as well as the financial results of South Korean listed companies, will be released successively. After experiencing previous sharp volatility, capital flows in the semiconductor sector and changes in investor risk appetite will remain key indicators for the short-term direction of Japanese and South Korean stock markets.