Global Stock Trends — 2026-04-25

At a Glance: Global Indices

As of April 24th close. Some figures based on latest available reporting.

🇰🇷 South Korean Markets

KOSPI / KOSDAQ Overview

The Kospi closed roughly flat around 6,470 on April 24th. Despite briefly breaking above 6,500 during the session, the index lost momentum as foreign investors turned net sellers, causing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to reverse gains. On April 23rd, the index closed at a three-day consecutive record of 6,475.81, extending its winning streak. Kosdaq achieved a historic breakthrough by surpassing the 1,200 level for the first time in roughly 25 years, lifting investor sentiment. Auto stocks underperformed, though defense and secondary battery stocks maintained upward momentum.

Supply & Demand Flow

• Foreign investors: Net sellers on Kospi / Net buyers on Kosdaq (bifurcated flow)
• Institutions: Defensive positioning maintained on Kospi
• Retail investors: 23.11 billion won in Kosdaq ETF selling, shifted to Kospi 200 products and inverse semiconductor ETFs

Today's Leading Sectors & Stocks (minimum 3)

• Samsung Electronics: +3.22% on April 23rd — Expectations for semiconductor recovery and strong global AI demand
• SK Hynix: Hit 52-week new high before pullback on April 24th due to profit-taking
• Defense & Secondary Battery sectors: Up — Benefiting from prolonged geopolitical tensions and sustained global energy transition themes
• Kosdaq 150 Leveraged ETF: Foreign investors' 17-day consecutive net buying activity noteworthy

🇺🇸 U.S. Markets

Big Three Indices Close (Friday, April 24th)

Nasdaq and S&P 500 hit fresh records again on April 24th, notching a fourth consecutive week of gains. The day's standout: Intel (INTC) soared over 23%, marking its largest single-day gain since the dot-com bubble. AMD also jumped roughly 14%, supporting the semiconductor sector's 18-day winning streak. Positive news on U.S.-Iran peace talks progressed also pulled crude oil lower, fueling risk-on sentiment, and the Department of Justice's closure of its investigation into Fed Chair Powell was viewed positively.

Key Movers Today (minimum 3)

• Intel (INTC): +23% — Earnings surprise and foundry business improvement expectations; largest single-day gain since dot-com era
• AMD (AMD): +~14% — Accelerating semiconductor AI demand and continued data center growth
• ServiceNow, IBM: Down — Software sector weakness, earnings disappointment carryover from prior day

Sector Trends

Semiconductors and hardware led the market, with Intel and AMD's joint surge extending the 18-day winning streak. Meanwhile, the software sector (ServiceNow, IBM, etc.) showed relative weakness from prior-day earnings disappointment, while energy stocks posted mixed results amid declining oil prices.

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🌏 Asian & European Markets

Asia (Japan, China, Hong Kong)

Asian markets posted mixed performance on April 24th amid geopolitical uncertainty. Despite an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension agreement, investor caution persisted. South Korea's Kospi closed roughly flat while Kosdaq achieved its historic 1,200 breakthrough. Japan's Nikkei and Hong Kong's Hang Seng showed volatility due to skepticism about U.S.-Iran ceasefire sustainability and reports of U.S. tanker detentions. China's mainland markets remained defensive amid broader global risk-off flows.

Europe (UK, Germany, France)

European stocks gained some tailwind from the U.S. semiconductor rally but posting only modest gains amid persistent Middle East tensions and oil volatility. The UK's FTSE 100, Germany's DAX, and France's CAC 40 all faced short-term upward pressure from improved global risk appetite, but concerns about sustainability lingered.

📊 Today's Market Drivers

• Intel Earnings Surprise & 18-Day Semiconductor Streak: Intel posted its largest single-day gain since the dot-com bubble (+23%), triggering broad strength across global semiconductor stocks including AMD and SK Hynix. The semiconductor sector is extending its 18-day winning run on expanding AI server and data center demand.

• U.S.-Iran Geopolitical Uncertainty: After Trump administration ceasefire extension, reports of U.S. tanker detentions re-ignited tensions. Oil prices swung amid uncertainty, creating mixed pressure on energy and defense stocks. An Israel-Lebanon ceasefire three-week extension was also decided, though investor relief remained muted.

• Fed Independence Issue Resolved: The Department of Justice formally ended its investigation into Fed Chair Powell, easing concerns about monetary policy independence. Markets interpreted this as a risk-on signal.

• Mixed Earnings Season Results: Hardware's strong earnings surprise lifted markets, while software companies like ServiceNow and IBM disappointed, widening sector divergence. S&P 500 companies' 2026 earnings growth forecast stands at 19%.

🔭 Key Points to Watch Ahead

Major Events This Week

• U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Negotiations Path: While ceasefire extension was renewed, whether Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate will critically impact oil and global equities
• Fed Communications: Post-investigation closure, monitor for possible shifts in monetary policy stance
• Earnings Season Continues: Track reporting schedule for mega-cap tech and software firms
• Kosdaq 1,200 Hold: Retail investor ETF rotation and foreign inflow patterns will determine further upside
• Semiconductor Sector Rally Durability: Watch for profit-taking pressure post-18-day streak and need for additional catalysts

Investor Checklist

• U.S.-Iran geopolitical risk: Monitor Strait of Hormuz news flow and oil direction
• Domestic supply bifurcation: Track foreign investor selling on Kospi vs. buying on Kosdaq
• Semiconductor & AI Valuation: Assess correction risk post-rally vs. earnings support reality

💬 One-Line Insight

Intel's record single-day rebound proved the depth of the AI semiconductor supercycle, but U.S.-Iran negotiation stalemate and software earnings weakness signal an extreme "hardware vs. software" divergence—making stock selection more critical than ever.