Asian markets diverge as investors navigate ex-dividend effects SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Major Asian equity markets moved in different directions in the final week of December, as investors digested ex-dividend adjustments alongside shifting policy and sector-specific signals. South Korea’s stock market extended its rally despite the ex-dividend cutoff, while Japan slipped under selling pressure tied to dividend adjustments and inflation concerns. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.45 percent to 4,190 as of 10 a.m. Monday, posting a second straight gain and marking the strongest performance among major Asian markets. The index continued its late “Santa rally” even after dividend eligibility ended last week. Retail investors led the advance, net buying 378.1 billion won ($263.4 million), while institutions and foreign investors turned net sellers, offloading 344.0 billion won and 20.0 billion won, respectively, following the ex-dividend date. The won strengthened to 1,435.3 per dollar, up 9.7 won from the previous session, a move widely attributed to tangible measures such as forward exchange selling and currency hedging after recent verbal intervention by authorities. Blue-chip stocks advanced on multiple positive catalysts. Samsung Electronics climbed 2.1 percent to 119,500 won, supported by reports that it passed performance tests for its next-generation HBM4 chips and equipped its latest application processor with an in-house GPU. Investor sentiment was also lifted by the company’s expansion into automotive electronics through its Harman unit’s €1.5 billion ($1.76 billion) acquisition of German auto supplier ZF’s advanced driver-assistance systems business. SK hynix surged 6 percent to 635,000 won after being lifted from “investment warning” status. The rally was fueled by heavy buying and reports that HBM3E prices have risen more than 20 percent, alongside bullish forecasts such as Nomura Securities’ projection that the chipmaker’s operating profit could reach 100 trillion won in 2026. The Korean chipmakers are also set to gain if the mass-scale earthquake in Taiwan causes disruption in chipmaking activities in the country, home to around 70 percent of global chip supplies. Other stocks recently freed from investment warnings also jumped, with Hanwha Aerospace gaining 8 percent to 70,000 won and SK Square rising 3.5 percent to 346,500 won. Naver advanced 3.6 percent to 240,000 won, benefiting from user inflows into its Naver Plus Store following a massive data breach at Coupang that affected about 33.7 million accounts and reportedly led to a decline in the e-commerce giant’s daily active users. Shares linked to autonomous driving also moved higher. Hyundai AutoEver climbed 5.3 percent to 305,500 won, while Hyundai Mobis rose 2.9 percent to 368,500 won. By contrast, LG Energy Solution slipped 2 percent to 375,500 won upon back-to-back EV fallout. After it lost contract with Ford earlier in the month, the company also reported the cancellation of another deal with U.S. battery pack maker Freudenberg Battery Power Systems. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 0.6 percent to 925, supported by retail net buying of 200.0 billion won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.32 percent to 50,587, weighed down by ex-dividend selling and stronger-than-expected inflation data that reinforced expectations the Bank of Japan could pursue additional rate hikes. Major stocks were mostly weaker, with Toyota Motor down 0.2 percent to 3,373 yen ($21.6). Semiconductor-related shares also declined, as Advantest slipped 1.4 percent and Disco fell 1.9 percent, though Ibiden bucked the trend, rising 1.1 percent to 6,690 yen following its stock split. Taiwan’s TAIEX opened 0.35 percent higher at 28,654. MediaTek gained 1 percent to 1,400 Taiwan dollars ($44.6) after announcing a joint development with Japan’s Denso on an automotive system-on-chip for advanced driver assistance. Foxconn rose 1.8 percent to 230 Taiwan dollars on growing optimism over AI server shipments. In mainland China, Hong Kong stocks outperformed regional peers. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.8 percent to 26,038 after the United States extended tariff exemptions on Chinese-made semiconductors for another 18 months, lifting Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. 3 percent to 73 Hong Kong dollars ($9.4). Meanwhile, China’s mainland benchmarks were little changed, with the Shanghai Composite at 3,964 and the Shenzhen Component at 13,580. 2025-12-29 11:14:03

Korean won revisits 1,430 versus dollar for the first time since Nov SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) -The Korean won strengthened more than 1 percent on Friday, extending its 1.3 percent jump in the previous session on Wednesday, as the U.S. dollar broadly weakened against major East Asian currencies, including the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan. The dollar opened at 1,449.9 won after the Christmas break and slid as low as 1,429.5, marking its first dip below the 1,430 level since Nov. 4 — a move that signaled a possible shift in market positioning toward the won. Dollar-selling gathered pace on expectations that the greenback could face further downside pressure amid renewed strength in regional currencies, a trader said, cautioning that it remains unclear whether the past two sessions mark a structural turning point. The Chinese yuan has strengthened past 7 per dollar, supported by easing geopolitical tensions and a rebound in local equity markets, while the yen has remained firm since the Bank of Japan’s rate hike last week. 2025-12-26 14:45:52

Santa largely skips Asian markets as gains stay modest SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Santa Claus largely skipped Asian markets this season, with gains modest across the region and year-end positioning overshadowing any holiday cheer. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI finished 0.21 percent lower at 4,108.62 on Tuesday, pressured by retail investors liquidating holdings ahead of a tax deadline, even as foreign and institutional investors maintained a more constructive stance. Retail investors net sold 717.5 billion won ($490.7 million), a move widely attributed to tax-avoidance strategies ahead of Friday’s cutoff for capital gains tax exemptions applied to major shareholders. In contrast, foreign investors bought a net 520.1 billion won, while institutions added 200.4 billion won, reflecting selective accumulation rather than broad risk-taking. The Korean won strengthened sharply, closing at 1,456.6 per dollar as of 4:30 p.m., gaining 25.4 won on the day. The surge followed aggressive verbal intervention by foreign-exchange authorities. Market participants cited a mix of currency hedging and forward exchange selling, likely triggered by coordination involving the National Pension Service and major exporting firms. Bond markets responded to the stabilizing currency, with yields edging lower. The 10-year government bond yield fell 3.4 basis points to 3.345 percent, reversing the upward pressure seen over the previous two sessions. Performance among market leaders was mixed. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.36 percent to 111,100 won, taking a breather after recent record highs. SK hynix rose 0.68 percent to 588,000 won. Traders noted that Samsung faced heavier selling pressure due to its higher concentration of retail ownership. Shipbuilding and defense stocks retreated as investors locked in profits following Monday’s rally linked to U.S. Navy collaboration news. Hanwha Ocean fell 3.57 percent to 119,000 won, while Hanwha Systems dropped 4.25 percent. In the automotive sector, Hyundai Motor gained 0.7 percent to 289,000 won, supported by its renewed push into software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and the appointment of a new software lead. Hyundai AutoEver, however, slipped 2.38 percent to 287,500 won as investors opted to lock in gains after a sharp ascent. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ closed 0.47 percent lower at 915.2, weighed down by the same cash-out trend. Alteogen fell 2.16 percent, while Rainbow Robotics dropped 3.88 percent. Hyundai Movex surged 9.94 percent to a one-year high of 18,580 won on expectations tied to contract wins and its potential role in automating production for Hyundai Motor Group, despite having no direct corporate affiliation. Elsewhere in Asia, movements were restrained. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged down 0.14 percent to 50,344.1 amid thinning holiday volumes. Automakers underperformed, with Toyota falling 1.82 percent, Nissan dropping 1.01 percent and Honda shedding 0.67 percent. Semiconductor shares bucked the trend, led by Ibiden’s 5.53 percent jump, Advantest’s 2.47 percent rise and Tokyo Electron’s 0.67 percent gain. Taiwan’s TAIEX rose a modest 0.22 percent to 28,371.98, outperforming Seoul and Tokyo. Analysts attributed the advance largely to year-end “window dressing” as local institutions sought to bolster valuations. TSMC gained 0.34 percent, while MediaTek fell 0.72 percent. Mainland Chinese markets posted moderate gains on renewed stimulus hopes. The Shanghai Composite rose 0.53 percent, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.88 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index ended its shortened Christmas Eve session with a modest 0.17 percent gain at 25,818.93. The KOSPI and Hang Seng will be closed Wednesday for Christmas. Markets in Japan, mainland China and Taiwan will remain open for regular trading — but with volumes thin and gains modest, Santa’s presence across Asian markets this year appears fleeting at best. 2025-12-24 17:21:17

Korea's Hyundai Motor elevates engineers to C-suite SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday carried out a reshuffle underlying its renewed focus and command over software-defined mobility capabilities. Jin Eun-sook, Vice President of the ICT Division, was promoted to President to become the first female president in the history of Hyundai Motor Company and the third female leader within the broader group, joining the ranks of top executives at Hyundai Commercial and Innocean. Jin, having previously served as CTO of NHN, is recognized for her deep expertise in cloud computing, data, and platforms, as well as her global strategic vision. Since joining the group as Head of the ICT Division in 2022, she has spearheaded key digital transformation initiatives, including the integration of the group’s "Global One App" and the establishment of a next-generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. In her new role, Jin is expected to accelerate the group’s digital shift by fostering a developer-centric corporate culture and enhancing the development and operational capabilities of the group’s overall IT systems and infrastructure, the company said. Hyundai AutoEver, the group’s dedicated software arm, separately named Ryoo Seok-moon as its new CEO-designate. Ryoo, a seasoned software engineer, joined the company in 2024 to lead its Software Platform Business Division, where he oversaw critical projects in IT system architecture and vehicle software development. Ryoo brings a wealth of experience from the broader tech and mobility sectors, having served as CTO of the car-sharing platform Socar and Technical Director at Riot Games. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to internalize high-level technical leadership and cultivate top-tier development talent within the organization. "This reshuffle is characterized by placing leaders with proven technical and development expertise at the forefront of our software and IT divisions," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. "We will continue to strengthen our technology-driven management and sustain group-wide investments to complete our transition into a software-defined mobility company." On December 3, Song Chang-hyun, founder and CEO of 42dot - Hyundai’s autonomous-driving subsidiary - and head of Hyundai’s Advanced Vehicle Platform division, resigned - shortly after Tesla showcased its Full Self-Driving in Seoul from late November. 42dot has been testing self-driving buses in downtown Seoul, but the technology embedded in Hyundai and Kia production vehicles has yet to reach the midpoint of the autonomy race by global benchmarks. Hyundai Motor's latest appointments, therefore, are seen as a process of centralizing software expertise at the parent company, moving away from a fragmented structure across the group’s subsidiaries. “The core reason Hyundai trades at a chronic discount is the fragmentation of its software capabilities across affiliates such as 42dot, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai AutoEver and Boston Dynamics,” said Choi Tae-young, an analyst at DS Investment & Securities. “The real challenge is empowering one lead entity to standardize data and fundamentally change how the organization works,” added Lee Hyun-wook, a researcher at IBK Securities. 2025-12-24 14:26:07

Korea's consumer confidence dips as weak won fuels inflation fears SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s consumer confidence fell in December as inflationary expectations rose amid persistent weakness in the won, survey data showed Wednesday. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) for December dropped 2.5 points from November to 109.9, according to the Bank of Korea. While a reading above 100 indicates that optimism outweighs pessimism, several subindices pointed to growing household anxiety over economic conditions. The index measuring perceptions of current domestic economic conditions fell 7 points to 89, while the outlook for the next six months dropped 6 points to 96. The declines suggest a rising share of consumers believe conditions have deteriorated compared with six months earlier and remain uncertain about the near-term outlook. Employment sentiment also weakened. The employment opportunity index slid 3 points to 92, reflecting a cooling labor market as the number of “idled” young people surpassed 700,000 for the first time, according to data from Statistics Korea. Expectations for higher borrowing costs strengthened. The prospective interest rates index rose 4 points to 102, signaling broad expectations that the central bank could raise rates within the next six months. Analysts pointed to persistent hawkish signals from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the tightening cycle in Japan as key drivers. Inflation concerns remained dominant. The prospective prices index rose 2 points to 148, reflecting widespread expectations that prices will continue to climb over the next year. The sentiment aligns with November consumer price data, which showed inflation rising 2.4 percent — the third straight month above the 2 percent level. Households cited fuel prices (45.8 percent), fresh food prices (45.0 percent), and utility costs (36.7 percent) as the main sources of inflation pressure, exacerbated by higher import prices as the won hovers near one of its weakest annual averages on record. Housing price expectations also firmed. The prospective housing prices index edged up 2 points to 121, underscoring the limited effectiveness of government measures to cool the Seoul property market. According to the Korea Real Estate Board, Seoul apartment prices had risen 8.25 percent as of Dec. 15, the fastest pace since the agency began compiling the data. By contrast, wage expectations softened. The prospective wages index slipped 1 point to 122, limiting households’ ability to offset rising living and housing costs. Perceptions of living standards also deteriorated. The current living standards index stood at 95 and the outlook index at 100, both down 1 point from the previous month. While the prospective household income index fell 1 point to 103, the expected household spending index remained unchanged at 110, suggesting many consumers see little room to cut spending despite stagnant income growth. 2025-12-24 11:47:02

South Korea celebrates record 18.5 million tourists SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) -Sharmaine Lee from Singapore became the 18.5 millionth foreign visitor to South Korea this year on Tuesday, greeted with fanfare at Incheon International Airport as the country’s inbound arrivals surpassed the pre-pandemic peak of 17.5 million recorded in 2019. Buoyed by the milestone, the government has moved up its long-term tourism ambition, setting a target of attracting 30 million foreign visitors by 2030. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the surge reflects a synchronized recovery in travel demand across Asia, the Americas and Europe, reinforced by the global appeal of K-pop, K-dramas and Korean beauty culture. Yet behind the record headcount lies a persistent structural weakness: tourists are returning in force, but they are spending less. A recent report by Yanolja Research shows that average per-capita spending during the first nine months of 2025 stood at $1,010.4, down 15.3 percent from $1,193.1 in 2019. As a result, total tourism receipts reached $14.23 billion, recovering to just 92.2 percent of pre-pandemic levels despite inbound arrivals already exceeding the earlier peak. Industry experts increasingly point to Japan’s policy shift as a possible reference point. Since 2014, Tokyo has treated tourism as a pillar of national growth, prioritizing longer stays and spreading visitors beyond major cities. That strategy delivered 36.87 million foreign visitors and a $41.2 billion tourism surplus last year. By contrast, South Korea continues to run a structural deficit, as outbound spending by Korean travelers outpaces inbound tourism revenue. At the center of the challenge is the length of stay. Foreign visitors currently remain in South Korea for an average of three to four days — a duration experts say must be extended to a week or more to generate meaningful economic spillovers. “The essence lies in why they come, how long they stay, and what brings them back,” said Yoon Yoo-sik, a professor at Kyung Hee University’s College of Hotel and Tourism Management. He stressed that South Korea needs to move beyond generic sightseeing toward higher-value, experience-based offerings spanning K-pop, beauty and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to accelerate what it calls a “structural transformation” beginning in 2026. Measures under review include streamlined entry procedures, dedicated transit passes for foreign visitors and improvements to mobile payment systems to better serve the growing ranks of independent travelers. As South Korea’s tourism numbers push into uncharted territory, policymakers face a familiar question: whether the next phase of growth will be defined by how many visitors arrive — or by how long they stay and how deeply they spend. 2025-12-23 17:57:33

Korea tightens treasury stock disclosures, lowering threshold to 1% SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) -South Korean listed companies will be required to disclose their treasury stock holdings once they exceed 1 percent of shares outstanding — down from the current 5 percent — under sweeping revisions to capital markets rules, as regulators move to strengthen shareholder protection and curb opaque share buybacks. The amendments to the enforcement decree of the Capital Markets Act were approved at a Cabinet meeting, the Financial Services Commission said Tuesday. The new rules will take effect on Dec. 30 and must be reflected in companies’ 2025 annual reports. Under the revised rules, listed firms holding treasury shares equal to at least 1 percent of total shares outstanding must disclose the size of their holdings, the purpose of holding them and future disposal plans. The disclosure frequency will double from once a year to twice a year, with companies required to attach a treasury stock report to both annual and semiannual filings. Companies will also be required to disclose a comparison between their most recently announced treasury stock plans and actual execution over the past six months. If the gap between the plan and implementation exceeds 30 percent, firms must explain the reasons in detail. Reporting requirements will also be tightened when companies decide to buy or sell treasury shares. Listed firms must file a major event report outlining the purpose, planned amount, number of shares, method and period of the transaction, and regularly disclose the status of treasury share holdings, purchases and sales in periodic filings. Companies holding treasury shares above a certain threshold must additionally disclose disposal plans in their annual reports. The FSC said it will actively apply sanctions for disclosure violations, including recommendations to dismiss executives, limits on securities issuance, administrative fines and criminal penalties. Repeated violations will face heavier punishment, it added. Beyond treasury stock, the amendments expand mandatory disclosures related to major industrial accidents. Companies will be required to include details such as the occurrence of incidents, damage, response measures and outlook in both annual and semiannual reports. Disclosure requirements for mergers and similar transactions will also be strengthened, with firms required to provide more detailed board opinion statements, including explanations given by management and specific issues discussed by directors at each board resolution. Financial authorities said the reforms are intended to foster a shareholder-value-focused corporate culture and reduce information asymmetry between controlling and minority shareholders by ensuring that material corporate actions are disclosed in a timely and transparent manner. Regulators also expect the changes to accelerate the use of treasury shares as a shareholder-return tool benefiting all investors rather than select shareholders. Treasury share buybacks and cancellations have already been on a sharp uptrend, with the value of canceled shares reaching 20.7 trillion won ($14 billion) through November 2025 — surpassing the full-year total of 13.9 trillion won recorded in 2024. 2025-12-23 16:00:32

Santa rally in Asia kicks off on wobbly note SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Asian equity markets opened Tuesday on a fragmented footing, as the first session of the traditional five-day “Santa rally” window failed to deliver a uniform year-end surge. With momentum cooling after recent gains, investors across the region adopted a wait-and-see stance. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.57 percent to 4,129 as of 10:45 a.m., extending gains for a second day after Monday’s 2 percent rally. Foreign and institutional investors led the advance, with overseas funds net buying 227.4 billion won ($153.2 million) and institutions adding 302.0 billion won. Retail investors, meanwhile, locked in profits, selling a net 497.0 billion won. Despite solid equity inflows and a mild retreat in the dollar index, the Korean won weakened to 1,484 per dollar, down 3.2 won, breaching the 1,480-level that many traders view as a key psychological support level. Markets remained focused on the timing of potential currency-hedging operations by the National Pension Service and further foreign-exchange stabilization signals from authorities. Blue-chip technology stocks tracked higher. Samsung Electronics gained 1.5 percent to 112,000 won, while SK hynix rose 1.6 percent to 590,000 won, supported by strong earnings from U.S. peer Micron Technology and continued optimism over HBM4 development. Shipbuilding and defense stocks outperformed. Hanwha Ocean surged 9 percent to 119,700 won after reports that Donald Trump announced plans to collaborate with the company on U.S. domestic frigate construction. Defense-linked Hanwha Systems climbed 3.5 percent to 58,800 won. In contrast, the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.7 percent to 922, pressured by a 157.0 billion won net sell-off by foreign investors. Aerospace stocks were hit hard, reversing gains driven by earlier SpaceX-related speculation. InnoSpace plunged 27 percent to 11,000 won after its HANBIT-Nano launch vehicle failed its mission, while satellite firm Nara Space Technology tumbled 23 percent to 35,500 won. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was little changed at 50,376, as investors paused after recent advances. Automakers edged lower, with Toyota Motor down 0.3 percent and Honda Motor slipping 0.2 percent, weighed by lingering rate-hike effects and a lack of fresh catalysts. Japanese semiconductor stocks saw profit-taking, with Advantest down 2.2 percent and Tokyo Electron off 0.9 percent. Financials, however, extended gains on higher-rate expectations, as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rose 0.9 percent and Mizuho Financial Group added 1.3 percent. Taiwan’s TAIEX advanced 0.5 percent to 28,290, led by a 1 percent gain in TSMC and a 0.65 percent rise in Foxconn. Mainland China markets were flat, with the Shanghai Composite at 3,922 and the Shenzhen Component at 13,356. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was also little changed at 25,829, reflecting the region’s cautious tone. 2025-12-23 11:11:40

Korean sets record 20-day exports Dec, chips make up a third of total exports SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) -South Korea posted a record for first 20-day monthly exports in December, driven by a 42-percent jump in chip shipments that now account for nearly a third of total exports, customs-cleared preliminary data showed Monday. According to the Korea Customs Service, exports for Dec. 1–20 climbed 6.8 percent from a year earlier to US$43.03 billion, marking a fresh record for the first 20-day period. Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, rose 3.6 percent to US$2.61 billion. At a daily average of about US$2.6 billion for the full year, annual exports are on track to set a new milestone of US$700 billion. Semiconductors led the gains, jumping 41.8 percent. Chips accounted for 27.1 percent of total exports, up 6.7 percentage points from a year earlier. Semiconductor exports have risen for nine consecutive months through November, supported by strong demand for high-value memory used in artificial intelligence data centers and by higher memory prices. Computer peripherals surged 49.1 percent, while wireless communications equipment rose 17.8 percent. Passenger car and ship exports fell 12.7 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively. Shipments to the United States slipped 1.7 percent, weighed down by higher tariffs. Exports increased to China by 6.5 percent, Vietnam by 20.4 percent and Taiwan by 9.6 percent. Imports totaled US$39.21 billion, up 0.7 percent from a year earlier. By item, imports of semiconductors rose 11.8 percent, machinery 3.5 percent and precision instruments 12.5 percent, while crude oil fell 3.2 percent and gas declined 15.0 percent. By source, imports from China rose 3.9 percent, the United States 14.7 percent and Taiwan 12.8 percent, while those from the European Union fell 3.8 percent and Japan 2.3 percent. The trade surplus so far in December stood at US$3.8 billion. 2025-12-22 13:34:18

Santa rally reaches Asia, led by chip stocks SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Asian markets opened the week on signs of a “Santa Claus rally,” as a key overhang — Japan’s long-anticipated rate hike — was cleared last week, reviving risk appetite across the region. Chip stocks led the advance after strong earnings from Micron Technology and fresh optimism around high-bandwidth memory (HBM), reinforcing the global AI-driven semiconductor rally. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI was up 1.97 percent at 4,099 as of 10 a.m., raising hopes the index could close above the psychologically important 4,100 mark for the first time in ten days. Institutional investors spearheaded the rally with net purchases of 776.4 billion won ($525 million), supported by foreign inflows of 344.0 billion won. Retail investors appeared to be locking in gains after recent volatility, net selling 1.1 trillion won. The Korean won strengthened modestly to 1,477 per dollar, up 4 won from the previous close. Market participants attributed the move to year-end currency hedging by the National Pension Service and institutional investors seeking to lock in exchange rates ahead of the Dec. 30 market close. Blue chips traded broadly higher. Samsung Electronics gained 3 percent to 110,000 won after reports that its HBM4 samples received top-tier evaluations in quality tests for Nvidia. Rival SK hynix, the market leader in HBM, surged 4.75 percent to 575,000 won, emerging as a primary beneficiary of the improving AI memory outlook alongside Micron’s upbeat results. Korea Zinc, the world’s leading non-ferrous metal smelter and a focal point of ongoing corporate governance disputes, rose 5.4 percent to 1,380,000 won. Uncertainty surrounding its U.S. refinery investment eased after the South Korean government expressed a favorable stance, while Chairman Choi Yoon-bum and the Young Poong–MBK alliance reaffirmed their commitment to the project. Doosan Enerbility, seen as a bellwether for nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs), rose 2.2 percent to 79,000 won, defying lingering caution over a potential AI-sector bubble. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 jumped 2.1 percent to 50,557, as the removal of Bank of Japan-related uncertainty combined with Micron-led tech optimism to trigger broad-based buying. Semiconductor equipment makers led the gains. Tokyo Electron surged 6.3 percent to 33,160 yen ($210.7), while Advantest rose 3.5 percent, DISCO gained 4.8 percent, and Ibiden climbed 5.2 percent. Financial and holding companies also found favor, with SoftBank Group Corp. jumping 6.4 percent to 18,210 yen, buoyed by the BOJ’s rate move and easing AI-bubble concerns in New York. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group advanced 2.3 percent. Taiwan’s TAIEX rose 1.4 percent to 28,084, anchored by a 2.1 percent gain in TSMC, which traded at 1,460 Taiwan dollars ($46.33). MediaTek slipped 0.7 percent, while Foxconn edged up 0.7 percent. Mainland China showed a tech-led divergence. The Shenzhen Component Index rose 1.1 percent to 13,285, outperforming the more domestically focused Shanghai Composite’s 0.5 percent gain and the Hang Seng Index’s 0.3 percent rise. 2025-12-22 11:51:42