Tokyo and Seoul Lead the Chip Rally
Asian markets produced some of Monday’s strongest gains as investors bought shares of major computer chipmakers. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.1% to 66,399.84. South Korea’s Kospi performed even better, climbing 4.6% to 6,995.39. The results reflected continued confidence in companies supplying hardware for artificial intelligence.
Semiconductor stocks led the advance across both markets. Samsung Electronics gained 5.7%, while memory chipmaker SK Hynix surged 8.1%. Japanese companies also climbed, including Renesas Electronics, Rohm, and Tokyo Electron. However, the wider regional picture remained mixed because Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.9% and Shanghai changed little.
Trading Outside Asia Remains Quiet
European indexes opened without a clear direction. France’s CAC 40 edged up less than 0.1%, while Germany’s DAX and Britain’s FTSE 100 each declined 0.2%. Australian shares also moved less than 0.1%. These smaller changes contrasted with the much stronger technology-driven gains recorded in Tokyo and Seoul.
American markets were closed for the Labor Day holiday, although futures suggested a subdued reopening. Dow futures declined 0.3%, while S&P 500 futures were nearly unchanged. Investors continued watching inflation and monetary policy because price growth remained above 3%, exceeding the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Oil and Interest Rates Shape the Outlook
Energy markets reflected continued tensions in the six-month United States war with Iran. Brent crude added four cents to $96.32 per barrel, while American benchmark crude fell 29 cents to $91.19. The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed amid competing military claims, tanker attacks, and Iranian plans for an exclusion zone.
Currency traders also focused on future interest-rate decisions. The dollar weakened to 155.95 yen after recently reaching the 160-yen level. Markets expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates before year-end, with its next meeting ending September 16. At the same time, investors are watching the Bank of Japan as expectations about its policy have helped the yen recover.
References
Kageyama, Y. (2026, September 7). Global shares are mixed as chipmaker shares rally in Tokyo and Seoul. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-ai-jobs-rates-oil-5fed4e21cb3f80eef06087217dbbd9f7