South Korea's KOSPI index surged 3% after an 8.3% slump in the previous session, led by heavyweight chipmakers. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd rose 3.4%, while SK Hynix Inc climbed 7.7%, with the latter additionally supported by news of a major partnership with leading AI chipmaker Nvidia. South Korean equities were further underpinned by an upward revision to first-quarter gross domestic product, which showed the economy expanding 1.8%, driven mainly by robust semiconductor exports.<\/p>\n
Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.9% after a decline of over 4% in the prior session, while the TOPIX index added 0.5%. Chipmaker Tokyo Electron Ltd. advanced 7.6% to become the top performer on the Nikkei, whereas SoftBank Group Corp. slipped 0.8%. Despite the rebound, technology shares across the region remained volatile following a sharp selloff driven by questions over the sustainability of the AI rally, rising interest rate concerns, and recent Middle East tensions.<\/p>\n
China's Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite each rose 0.4% after May trade figures showed a larger-than-expected increase in the trade surplus, fueled primarily by an outsized jump in exports. The data indicated that China's export-led growth strategy remains firmly in place. Imports also exceeded expectations, supported by higher domestic demand for semiconductors and AI data center components.<\/p>\n
Chinese equities showed limited reaction to the United States adding Alibaba Group, Baidu Inc, and BYD to a blacklist of firms alleged to have ties to the Chinese military. Baidu and BYD posted slight gains, while Alibaba edged down 0.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slipped 0.2%.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the region, Singapore's Straits Times index rose 1.1%. Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.3%, weighed down by weakness in local mining stocks. Futures for India's Nifty 50 index were down 0.2%, pointing to a subdued open after a 1% decline in the cash index in the previous session, as Indian equities have recently lagged regional peers amid concerns over the impact of high oil prices on the import-dependent economy.<\/p>\n
Markets were also influenced by geopolitical developments. Israel and Iran agreed to halt strikes against each other following demands from U.S. President Donald Trump. S&P 500 futures edged higher in Asian trading after Trump stated that the United States would declare "total victory" over Iran in two weeks.<\/p>\n
Which Asian market performed the strongest on Tuesday?<\/strong> What factors supported South Korean equities?<\/strong> How did Chinese trade data affect local markets?<\/strong> How did geopolitical developments influence market sentiment?<\/strong>
South Korea's KOSPI index was the strongest performer, rising 3% on the day.<\/p>\n
South Korean equities were supported by a rebound in major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, a new partnership between SK Hynix and Nvidia, and an upward revision to first-quarter GDP growth to 1.8%, driven by strong semiconductor exports.<\/p>\n
Stronger-than-expected May trade data, including a larger trade surplus and robust export and import growth, helped lift the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indices by 0.4% each.<\/p>\n
Market sentiment was aided by Israel and Iran agreeing to halt strikes against each other after demands from U.S. President Donald Trump, while S&P 500 futures in Asian trade rose slightly after Trump said the U.S. would declare "total victory" over Iran in two weeks.<\/p>\n