Asian Markets Today Trade Higher as Kospi Jumps Over 2 Percent on Tech Capex Optimism

Kospi up 2.42% to 6,961.95 on 23 Jul. Nikkei 225 up 0.50% to 66,445. Hang Seng up 0.81% to 25,095. Taiwan Weighted up 0.22%. Jakarta Composite up 0.27%.

Updated: 23 Jul 2026 • 10:17 am

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Asian Markets Today Trade Higher as Kospi Jumps Over 2 Percent on Tech Capex Optimism

Asian markets today traded broadly higher after US technology firms outlined significant capital spending plans that are likely to benefit chipmakers across the region, even as the escalating war in the Middle East sent oil prices to six week highs. South Korea’s Kospi led the gains, rallying more than 2 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite all posted solid advances. The moves come despite crude oil trading near $96 a barrel, suggesting regional investors are for now prioritising the tech capex story over energy driven inflation concerns.

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Table of Contents

Asian Markets Snapshot Today

Index	Level	Change
Kospi	6,961.95	+2.42%
Nikkei 225	66,445.00	+0.50%
Hang Seng	25,095.00	+0.81%
Taiwan Weighted	44,925.42	+0.22%
Jakarta Composite	6,351.63	+0.27%
Straits Times	5,574.92	-0.37%

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What Is Driving the Rally

Two forces are shaping trading across the region today.

US Technology Capex Plans Lift Chipmakers

US technology firms outlined significant capital spending plans that are expected to flow through to semiconductor and hardware suppliers across Asia, giving a strong boost to Korea’s Kospi in particular given its heavy weighting toward chip and technology names.

Middle East Conflict Sends Oil to Six Week Highs

The escalating war in the Middle East has sent oil prices to their highest level in more than six weeks, a cross current that typically weighs on risk assets but has so far been outweighed by optimism around the tech capex cycle.

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Straits Times Bucks the Trend

Not every regional index joined the rally. Singapore’s Straits Times slipped 0.37 percent, a reminder that the broader Asian rally today was led specifically by markets with heavier technology and chip sector exposure rather than a uniform regional move.

Conclusion

Asian markets today show a clear tilt toward markets with technology and semiconductor exposure, led by the Kospi’s more than 2 percent rally, even as rising oil prices from Middle East tensions present a growing cross current. Investors should watch whether this tech led optimism can offset energy driven inflation concerns in the sessions ahead. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions based on global market cues.

Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information. These may or may not be accurate. Please verify all data with the official NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) websites before making any investment decision. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).

FAQs on Asian Markets Today

How are Asian markets performing today?

Ans. Asian markets today are trading broadly higher, led by South Korea’s Kospi which rallied more than 2 percent, alongside gains in Japan’s Nikkei, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite.

Why did the Kospi rally more than 2 percent?

Ans. The Kospi rallied on optimism after US technology firms outlined significant capital spending plans expected to benefit semiconductor and chip suppliers across South Korea and the wider region.

Which Asian index underperformed today?

Ans. Singapore’s Straits Times underperformed, slipping 0.37 percent even as most other regional indices including the Kospi, Nikkei and Hang Seng posted gains.

How are rising oil prices affecting Asian markets?

Ans. Rising oil prices from escalating Middle East tensions are a cross current for Asian markets, though optimism around US technology capex spending has outweighed this concern so far today.

What is the current level of the Nikkei 225?

Ans. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was trading at 66,445, up 0.50 percent, as part of the broader regional rally in Asian markets today.

Does a strong Asian market session affect Indian stocks?

Ans. Positive global cues, including strong Asian market performance, often support sentiment in Indian equities, though domestic factors like earnings and institutional flows also play a significant role.