SK Hynix, Samsung Lead Record South Korean Rally, Lift Asia Stocks; Yen Pares Gains

Published Jul 30, 11:57 PM UTC

On July 31, 2026, South Korean stocks led a record rally in Asia, driven by tech giants SK Hynix and Samsung, as investors renewed bets on artificial intelligence trade. The Kospi index surged 17%, lifting broader Asian markets. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose over 5%, and the regional MSCI Asia-Pacific index gained nearly 4%. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen pared its earlier gains against the dollar. The rally reflects strong investor confidence in AI-related semiconductor demand, with South Korean memory chip makers at the forefront of the surge.