On Monday, South Korea's Kospi index rose by 1.31%, marking a new record high, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell by 1.58%. This surge was largely attributed to a more than 3% increase in shares of Samsung Electronics, which reached an all-time high.
In contrast, other Asia-Pacific markets displayed a mixed performance; Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.17%, but the Topix index declined by 0.3%, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.21%. Investors are closely watching the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, particularly after President Trump indicated he was not in a rush to finalize a deal, emphasizing the importance of achieving favorable terms.
He also warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. In the U.S., equities closed at record highs last Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite up 0.2%, the S&P 500 climbing 0.22%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 0.72%. This positive momentum in U.S. markets contrasts with the uncertainty in Asia, where Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures indicated a weaker opening.
Overall, the mixed performance across the region reflects investor caution amid geopolitical tensions