Korean stock market hits the circuit breaker again, Taiwan stocks drop over 2,000 points, TSMC falls below 1800 yuan

Due to rising oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East, Asian stock markets opened with a broad sell-off. The Nikkei 225 index fell 7% in the morning session, marking its largest decline since April last year; South Korea’s KOSPI index plummeted over 8%, triggering the trading halt mechanism again, while Taiwan’s stock market was also impacted. TSMC (2330) opened below 1,800 NTD, and amid a sell-off in electronics and financial stocks, the index plunged by 2,070 points, the largest point drop in history.

Japanese stocks experience their biggest decline since the April tariff crisis

Amid rising oil prices, increased Middle East tensions, and soft U.S. employment data, Japanese stocks suffered their largest decline since the April tariff crisis, causing panic among investors.

The Nikkei 225 index dropped 7% in the morning, its biggest decline since April last year. SoftBank Group was one of the hardest-hit stocks, falling over 11%. The Topix index also plunged 5.8%, its largest drop since April 7, dragged down by declines in electronics and banking sectors.

With the Iran conflict entering its ninth day and major oil-producing countries reducing output, oil prices surged above $110 per barrel. Japan imports about 90% of its oil from the Middle East.

South Korea’s KOSPI index drops over 8% again triggering a halt

South Korea’s KOSPI index fell more than 8%, leading to a 20-minute trading suspension starting at 10:31 a.m. local time. The heavyweight stocks Samsung Electronics plunged over 10%, and chip giant SK Hynix dropped 11.6%.

Last week, the South Korean KOSPI experienced sharp declines for two consecutive trading days, triggering a circuit breaker on March 4 and halting trading for 20 minutes.

Taiwan stocks plunge over 2,000 points, TSMC falls below 1,800 NTD

Taiwan’s stock market was also affected. TSMC (2330) opened below 1,800 NTD, and amid a sell-off in electronics and financial stocks, the index dropped by 2,070 points, the largest point decline in history.

This article about the Korean stock market triggering a circuit breaker again, Taiwan stocks falling over 2,000 points, and TSMC dropping below 1,800 NTD was first published on Chain News ABMedia.