South Korean KOSPI Enters Bear Market as Won Hits 15-Year Low

The South Korean KOSPI remains in a technical bear market, with new data linking the decline to a severe rout in the memory sector as DRAM prices plunged 30% and SK Hynix shares fell over 7%. While the USD/KRW pair held near 1,533, the US Dollar weakened globally as 10-year Treasury yields dropped to 4.30%. Conversely, US equity futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose by approximately 1% following reports of potential geopolitical de-escalation in the Middle East. The pharmaceutical sector also saw a surge in activity with Biogen and Eli Lilly announcing major acquisitions totaling over $13 billion. However, US consumers face renewed pressure as average gasoline prices climbed above $4 per gallon. These developments reflect a complex investment landscape, balancing a tentative recovery in Wall Street sentiment against structural pressures in the Asian tech sector.