{"id":61300,"date":"2026-04-26T22:38:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T02:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-south-korean-stocks-hit-record-high-as-china-industrial-profits-surge-15-8\/61300\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T22:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T02:38:24","slug":"global-markets-south-korean-stocks-hit-record-high-as-china-industrial-profits-surge-15-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-south-korean-stocks-hit-record-high-as-china-industrial-profits-surge-15-8\/61300\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Markets: South Korean Stocks Hit Record High as China Industrial Profits Surge 15.8%"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>South Korea\u2019s KOSPI index surged 2% to a record high of 6,603.91<\/strong>, fueled by a massive 9.5% rally in shares of SK Square (<a href=\"\/stock\/402340\">402340<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>China\u2019s industrial profits jumped 15.8% in March<\/strong>, demonstrating unexpected resilience despite significant oil supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Budget carriers Frontier (<a href=\"\/stock\/ULCC\">ULCC<\/a>) and Avelo are seeking $2.5 billion in government aid<\/strong>, pitching a relief plan to the Trump administration that includes warrants convertible into equity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Honda Motor (<a href=\"\/stock\/HMC\">HMC<\/a>) has delayed its AI self-driving technology launch<\/strong>, pushing the target date back to <strong>2028<\/strong> from its original 2027 goal.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Geopolitical tensions are intensifying<\/strong> as Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi reached Russia for high-level discussions with President Vladimir Putin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Asian Markets and Currencies<\/h2>\n<p>South Korean equities led regional gains on Monday, with the <strong>KOSPI climbing 2% to reach an all-time record of 6,603.91<\/strong>. The rally was spearheaded by SK Square (<a href=\"\/stock\/402340\">402340<\/a>), which saw its shares jump <strong>9.5%<\/strong> in early trading. <em>Investor sentiment in Seoul remains robust despite broader regional volatility linked to Middle Eastern developments.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Singapore\u2019s benchmark <strong>STI fell as much as 0.75% to 4,885.96<\/strong>, marking its lowest level since late March. Meanwhile, Asian currencies generally edged higher as traders weighed the impact of the Iran conflict on global energy flows. The <strong>Indonesian rupiah strengthened slightly to 17,180 per dollar<\/strong>, even as Thailand prepared to extradite an Indonesian national involved in a <strong>$10 million scam<\/strong> targeting Americans.<\/p>\n<h2>China\u2019s Economic Resilience and Social Initiatives<\/h2>\n<p>China reported a significant <strong>15.8% increase in industrial profits for March<\/strong>, with year-to-date growth reaching <strong>15.5%<\/strong>. These figures surpassed the previous <strong>15.2%<\/strong> growth rate, suggesting that Chinese manufacturing is weathering the &quot;Iran War&quot; oil disruptions better than analysts anticipated. <em>The data provides a much-needed boost to confidence in the world&#39;s second-largest economy.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Beyond industrial data, Beijing has launched a comprehensive &quot;war on Alzheimer\u2019s&quot; to address a looming public health crisis. Projections suggest the disease may affect <strong>10% of China&#39;s population by 2050<\/strong>, prompting the government to accelerate research and healthcare infrastructure.<\/p>\n<h2>Japan\u2019s Fiscal and Corporate Outlook<\/h2>\n<p>Japan\u2019s Prime Minister stated there is currently <strong>no need to compile an extra budget<\/strong>, signaling a period of fiscal restraint. In the bond market, the <strong>2-year JGB yield increased by 0.5 basis points to 1.355%<\/strong>. Fitch Ratings noted that Japanese demand for offshore yields remains high, with institutional interest extending specifically into <strong>U.S. private credit markets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In the automotive sector, Honda Motor (<a href=\"\/stock\/HMC\">HMC<\/a>) has officially pushed back the launch of its <strong>AI-driven self-driving technology<\/strong>. The company now targets <strong>2028<\/strong> for the rollout, a one-year delay from the previous 2027 target. <em>The move highlights the ongoing technical hurdles facing legacy automakers in the race for autonomous mobility.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>U.S. Aviation and Global Geopolitics<\/h2>\n<p>In the United States, budget airlines including Frontier (<a href=\"\/stock\/ULCC\">ULCC<\/a>) and Avelo are reportedly in talks with the Trump administration for a <strong>$2.5 billion relief package<\/strong>. The proposal involves the government receiving <strong>warrants that could convert into equity stakes<\/strong>, similar to pandemic-era aid structures. <em>The request comes as smaller carriers struggle with rising operational costs and shifting travel patterns.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>On the diplomatic front, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi has arrived in Russia for urgent talks with <strong>President Vladimir Putin<\/strong>. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for global energy markets, as traders remain on high alert for further escalations in the Middle East. <em>The outcome of these discussions is expected to have immediate implications for crude oil pricing and regional stability.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways South Korea\u2019s KOSPI index surged 2% to a record high of 6,603.91, fueled by a massive 9.5% rally 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