Overview
- South Korea’s KOSPI sank more than 3 percent on Tuesday as major tech and chip names led heavy losses that wiped away recent gains.
- Disappointing quarterly results and cautious guidance from several large U.S. tech firms renewed skepticism that massive AI investments will deliver near-term profits.
- Oil prices swung sharply after reports of diplomatic talks between Iran and Qatari mediators sent crude down more than 7 percent then rebounded following U.S. strikes, widening market uncertainty about inflation and rates.
- Big tech’s return to the bond market to fund data‑centre and chip spending, combined with rising Treasury yields, has raised concern that debt-funded capex will strain company finances and valuations.
- Fundamentals diverge from sentiment in Korea where official data showed semiconductor exports jumped 259 percent year‑on‑year in October, leaving exporters strong even as investors pull back and institutions sell into the drop.