Asian stocks rise following record close for S&P 500

By Lee Jung-woo Posted : December 26, 2025, 12:49 Updated : December 26, 2025, 12:49
Graphics by AJP Song Ji-yoon
Graphics by AJP Song Ji-yoon
SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Asian stock markets climbed on Friday, following a rally on Wall Street after U.S. economic data showed stronger-than-expected third-quarter growth earlier in the week.

In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6 percent to 4,132.65 as of 10:14 a.m., and the KOSDAQ gained 0.2 percent to 916.70.

The regional advance followed a Wednesday close in which the S&P 500 rose 0.3 percent to an all-time high of 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6 percent to 48,731.16, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.2 percent to 23,613.31. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, third-quarter GDP grew at an annualized rate of 4.3 percent, surpassing the Dow Jones consensus forecast of 3.2 percent.

Samsung Electronics led the gains in Seoul, jumping 3.4 percent to 114,900 won. The stock reached an intraday high of 115,100 won, breaking its previous record of 112,500 won set on Tuesday. SK hynix gained 2 percent to 600,000 won.

The semiconductor sector was supported by a 3.8 percent rise in Micron Technology to a record high. Additionally, Nomura Securities raised its target price for Samsung Electronics to 160,000 won on Friday.

"The memory supercycle is likely to last at least until 2027," Nomura stated.

Performance among other large-cap stocks was mixed. Hanwha Aerospace rose 1.3 percent to 889,000 won, but LG Energy Solution fell 1.5 percent to 384,500 won. Other decliners included HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which dropped 1 percent, and Doosan Enerbility, which fell 1.5 percent. KB Financial Group and Naver slipped 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

The entertainment sector saw a broad decline, with Hybe falling 2.5 percent, SM Entertainment dropping 2.6 percent, and JYP Entertainment losing 1.5 percent.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,449.9 won per dollar and moved to 1,442.9 won by 11 a.m.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.9 percent to 50,849.62. All of Japan’s 10 largest companies by market capitalization gained, with SoftBank Group jumping 2.5 percent and Fast Retailing advancing 2.3 percent. Toyota Motor rose 0.4 percent, while tech firms Advantest and Tokyo Electron gained 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

Chinese markets were little changed, with the Shanghai Composite Index edging up 0.1 percent to 3,964.91 and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong rising 0.2 percent to 25,818.93.

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