South Korea’s Kospi hit a record high Tuesday while the broader Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed, amid hopes for a resolution to the Middle East conflict, even as tensions between Iran and the U.S. continue to simmer.
South Korea’s Kospi bounced 169.38 points, or 2.7%, to 6,348,47
Index heavyweight Samsung Electronics rose 2.1%, while semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix gained 4.97%.
Shares of Hybe, the parent company of South Korean boyband BTS, fell 2.4%, following news that the police are seeking a detention warrant for its founder Bang Si-hyuk, amid allegations that he misled early investors ahead of the company’s 2020 initial public offering.
In other markets
Japan’s Nikkei 225 charged ahead 524.28 points, or 0.9%, to close Tuesday at 59,349.17.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 126.41 points, or 0.5%, to 26,487.48.
Victory Giant, one of Nvidia’s printed-circuit-board suppliers, debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, advancing 60% after raising about HK$20.1 billion ($2.57 billion U.S.) in the city’s largest IPO since Zijin Gold last September.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a X post.
“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s top negotiator, added.
This comes after President Donald Trump on Monday said “lots of bombs [will] start going off” if no deal is reached before a shaky ceasefire with Tehran expires Tuesday evening, threatening Iran with overwhelming military force.
The threats come even as a U.S. delegation prepared to return to Pakistan for a potential second round of peace talks.
In other markets
The CSI 300 index in Shanghai moved forward 10.56 points, or 0.2%, to 4,768.
In Taiwan, the Taiex popped 169.38 points, or 2.7%, to 37,605.11
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index added 10.89 points, or 0.2%, to 5,014.96.
In Australia, the AZX 200 declined 3.9 points, or 0.04%, to 8,949.39.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 16.88 points, or 0.1%, to 12,932.33.
