Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Asian Markets Mixed Amid Earnings and Data Anticipation
On Wednesday, Japan's stock market went down a little from its highest point ever, as investors took some of their profits.
They are now waiting for important U.S. jobs data that could affect interest rates.
In South Korea, the stock market reached a new high because chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix did well, and Hyundai Motor went up a lot after news about a meeting with Nvidia's CEO.
The Korean won got a bit weaker against the dollar, and bond yields went down a tiny bit.
Foreign investors bought a lot of shares in South Korea.
People are being careful and waiting for Samsung's earnings report.
Japan's Nikkei fell 0.4% from a record high, with investors booking profits and focusing on U.S. jobs data.
South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.76% to a record high, driven by chipmakers and automakers.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix hit all-time highs, with Samsung set to report earnings on Thursday.
Hyundai Motor surged 11.69% after reports of a meeting between its chair and Nvidia's CEO.
The Korean won weakened slightly against the dollar, and bond yields fell.
- Who
- Investors in Japan and South Korea
- What
- Mixed market performance with Japan's Nikkei falling and South Korea's KOSPI rising
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Japan and South Korea
- Why
- Profit-taking in Japan and anticipation of U.S. jobs data; AI optimism and earnings expectations in South Korea
- Nikkei Index
- 52,284.23
- Topix Index
- 3,521.12
- Fast Retailing
- 2.04% fall
- Advantest
- 1.67% fall
- Tokyo Electron
- 2.54% rise
- Kioxia
- 12.7% surge
- Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical
- 6,200 yen (daily limit high)
- KOSPI Index
- 4,559.74
- Samsung Electronics
- 2.16% rise
- SK Hynix
- 3.72% rise
- Hyundai Motor
- 11.69% surge
- Kia Corp
- 4.33% rise
- Korean Won
- 1,449.2 per dollar
- 3-Year Bond Yield
- 2.921%
- 10-Year Bond Yield
- 3.368%
- Foreigners' Net Buying
- 830 billion won
Sources
South Korean shares fall as investors await Samsung earnings; Hyundai hits record high
S. Korea’s foreign reserves fall for 1st time in 7 months in Dec: BOK
Japans Nikkei slips from record closing high, market eyes US jobs data
South Korean shares hit record high on chip, auto rally
