HSBC MSCI Korea Capped UCITS ETF

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KORU

HKOD

KOSPI PanicKorea’s AI melt-up is finally starting to wobble. What began as an underowned upside squeeze has turned into full-blown upside panic, with volatility exploding higher as investors aggressively chase exposure into an increasingly vertical move.Spot up, vol up. That is when upside panic starts becoming unstable.

ZeroHedge

BlackRock, Inc.

Korea Fd

Franklin FTSE South Korea

Direxion Daily Korea Bull 3x Shares ETF

Korea’s Upside Panic Just Turned Dangerous

IKOR

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Citi has raised its target for the South Korea KOSPI Index from 7,000 to 8,500 for this year, citing strong earnings growth in the semiconductor sector and government initiatives. The KOSPI Index has risen over 70% this year, reaching 7,411. The report highlights that South Korea's economy is benefiting from robust semiconductor growth and improving manufacturing fundamentals, with corporate earnings expected to grow 177% YoY. South Korean memory chip suppliers are anticipated to continue thriving due to customization demand and long-term agreements.

AASTOCKS News

iShares MSCI Korea UCITS ETF USD (Dist)

TRMSCIKOREA

ISHRS MSCI S Korea Capped

Citigroup

CITIGROUP INC 6.250 NON CUM SER II PFD WI

Citi Raises South Korea KOSPI Index Target to 8,500 This Year

South Korea's consumer inflation rose to 2.6% in April, up from 2.2% in March, driven by surging energy costs and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Core inflation remained at 2.2%, indicating contained underlying pressures. Import prices surged 16% in March, the highest in nearly three decades, as oil prices soared due to concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Inflation expectations have increased, with transportation costs rising 9.7%. The Bank of Korea maintains a benchmark rate of 2.5%, balancing inflation risks with growth concerns amid fragile domestic demand.

- In April, South Korea's consumer inflation increased by 2.6% year-on-year, the fastest rise since July 2024, driven by surging energy costs and external pressures.  
- Excluding volatile food and energy prices, core inflation rose to 2.2%, indicating controlled underlying price pressures despite heightened external cost shocks.  
- The data underscores the potential for the Bank of Korea to consider tightening policy amid rising inflation expectations and persistent domestic demand concerns.

Businesstimes News

South Korea’s inflation accelerates on higher oil price impact

SOXL

South Korea's KOSPI index closed up 338.12 points, or 5.12%, at 6936.99 on Monday, May 4, a record high. SK Hynix shares closed up 12.5%, also a record closing price. (Jinshi)

CoinLive

Direxion Semicon Bull 3X

SPDR S&P Semicon

SK Hynix shares closed up 12.5%, hitting a record closing high.

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The Bank of Korea's senior deputy governor, Ryoo Sang-dai, indicated that the central bank would adopt a more hawkish stance on monetary policy, considering interest rate hikes at the upcoming meeting. He noted persistent inflation pressures despite government efforts to manage consumer prices, while projecting economic growth of approximately 2% this year, driven by a surge in chip exports.

- South Korea's Bank's Senior Vice Governor stated that monetary policy guidance will become more hawkish at the upcoming meeting later this month.  
- During a press conference at the Asian Development Bank meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, he discussed inflation pressures despite recent government measures to control consumer prices.  
- He also noted that economic growth is expected to reach about 2% this year, largely due to the boom in chip exports.

GTJA Allianz CSI All Share Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment ETF

Guotai CES Semiconductor Chip Industry ETF

GTJA Allianz SSE STAR Chip Design Thematic ETF

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Bank of Korea deputy chief says time to consider rate hikes

South Korea will increase the proportion of medium-to-long-term government bond issuances in the second quarter

Wallstreetcn

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The Nikkei 225 Index opened lower by 0.35%, while the KOSPI in Seoul, South Korea, opened essentially flat

ChinaAMC Nomura N225 ETF(QDII)

CSOP NIKKEI225

Samsung Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

Huaan MUFG N225 ETF(QDII)

Pro Ultrshrt Yen

SMSN

603578

07709

Optimistic expectations regarding U.S.-Iran negotiations drove Asia-Pacific stocks higher, with South Korea's KOSPI surging 2.7% to a record high of 6,388.47 points. Tech stocks, especially in the semiconductor sector, led the gains, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix seeing significant increases. Despite previous volatility, market sensitivity to geopolitical risks is declining. Morgan Stanley's report highlights strong Asian semiconductor exports and AI hardware demand, suggesting potential for further valuation rerating in tech stocks. Market focus is on upcoming earnings from U.S. tech giants amid ongoing negotiations.

TradingKey

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sponsored GDR

THREE STARS NEW MATERIALS

XL2CSOPHYNIX

ChinaAMC SSE STAR Semiconductor Material & Equipment Thematic ETF

XL2CSOPSMSN-U

XI2CSOPSMSN-U

Guotai CSI All Share Integrated Circuit ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Semicon

E Fund CSI Semiconductor Material & Equipment Thematic ETF

Harvest SSE STAR Chip ETF

China Merchants CSI Semiconductor Industry ETF

XL2CSOPSMSN

VanEck Vectors Semiconductor UCITS ETF Accum A USD

Hang Seng Index

Samsung Electronics 

Morgan Stanley

MORGAN STANLEY DEP SHS EA REP 1/1000 SHS NON CUM PFD O

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MORGAN STANLEY DEP SHS REPS 1/1000 7.125% PFD E

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MORGAN STANLEY 4.875 DEP SHS REP 1/1000 NCUM PFD SR L

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Improving Geopolitical Expectations Drive Asia-Pacific Stocks to Close Higher, South Korean Stocks Hit Record Peaks

The new governor of the Bank of Korea, Shin Hyun-song, has committed to advancing blockchain finance, focusing on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and deposit tokens. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for price stability and structural economic reforms while omitting any mention of stablecoins, despite their growing importance in South Korea's digital landscape. The Bank plans to expand CBDC initiatives and collaborate on global projects to enhance the Korean won's role in digital finance, while discussions on a legal framework for stablecoins are expected to resume post-elections.

- The new governor of the Bank of Korea, Shin Hyun-sung, pledged to support blockchain-based financial innovations and emphasized the central bank's role in stabilizing prices amid supply shocks.  
- Shin announced plans to expand the use of central bank digital currency (CBDC) and deposit certificates through the ongoing Han River project and to enhance the won's role in global payment systems via international collaborations.  
- Notably, he did not mention stablecoins linked to the won, despite their growing importance in Korea's digital transformation, as lawmakers work on a legal framework for local stablecoins.

The Block

Bank of Korea’s new chief vows to push CBDC, deposit tokens; leaves out stablecoins

South Korea's KOSPI rose 2.2% to a record ATH (All-Time High)

HSBC MSCI Korea Capped UCITS ETF(HKOD.UK)

Korea’s Upside Panic Just Turned Dangerous

Citi Raises South Korea KOSPI Index Target to 8,500 This Year

South Korea’s inflation accelerates on higher oil price impact

SK Hynix shares closed up 12.5%, hitting a record closing high.

Bank of Korea deputy chief says time to consider rate hikes