Nikkei 225, Kospi, Hang Seng Index

South Korea’s reference point cospi index It rose nearly 31% for its strongest monthly gain since January 1998, driven by a rally in technology stocks that helped the market recover from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The index’s big gains were driven largely by optimism about the AI ​​boom; Semiconductor giants and heavyweights SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics lead the way with monthly gains of 60% and 35% respectively.

HSBC last week upgraded South Korea’s rating to “neutral” from “underweight” and said recent foreign outflows had helped resolve crowded positioning in the market and reduced downside risks from geopolitical volatility.

Beyond heavyweight chip makers, broader growth themes in areas such as energy storage, shipbuilding, defense and nuclear energy are also supporting the market’s rise, HSBC said.

This landmark rally comes after broader Asia-Pacific markets, including the Kospi, fell on Thursday; These markets were pressured by a rise in oil prices to 4-year highs, with subsequent gains pared by fears of possible U.S. military intervention against Iran and continued uncertainty after the Fed kept interest rates steady.

While Kospi decreased by 1.38% to 6,598.8 points, small-scale Kosdaq decreased by 2.29% to 1,192.35 points.

in Australia, S&P/ASX 200 It finished the trading day at 8,665.8 with a loss of 0.24%.

Japanese markets fell as trading resumed after the holiday. Criterion Nikkei 225 While the index closed at 59,284.92 points with a loss of 1.06%, Topix decreased by 1.19% and closed at 3,727.21 points.

of hong kong Hang Seng index While it decreased by 1.27% as of the last trading hour, the CSI 300 index in mainland China closed flat at 4,807.30.

Oil then climbed axiosThe news, based on two sources with knowledge of the matter, reported that the US Central Command is preparing to present possible military action plans against Iran to US President Donald Trump.

Trump was there before reportedly rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz signals that the naval blockade will continue until a broader nuclear deal is reached.

June futures contracts for international benchmark Brent Crude oil was trading at $121.98 per barrel, up 3.4% on Thursday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate It rose 1.21% to $108.22.

According to LSEG data, Brent crude oil rose to its highest levels since mid-2022 as conflicts in the Middle East negatively affected supply.

Linked to futures trading in the USA S&P 500 increased by 0.3% Nasdaq 100 futures It gained 0.5% in value. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures It fell 128 points, or 0.2%.

overnight in the USA, Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down. The 30-share index closed down 280.12 points, or 0.57%, at 48,861.81, continuing to lose for the fifth day in a row. S&P 500 It closed at 7,135.95 with a decrease of 0.04 percent. Nasdaq Composite It rose 0.04% to 24,673.24.

— CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report.