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Asian Markets Plunge as Global Chip Sell-Off and Rate Fears Trigger Circuit Breaker
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CNBC TV18•15-10-2026, 08:58
Asian Markets Plunge as Global Chip Sell-Off and Rate Fears Trigger Circuit Breaker
- •South Korea's Kospi Index halted trading after suffering an 8 percent decline driven by major losses in chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
- •Japan's Nikkei 225 slumped over 4 percent intraday, reflecting widespread regional pressure from the global semiconductor rout.
- •Unexpectedly high United States inflation data fueled market expectations that the Federal Reserve will implement further interest rate hikes.
- •Treasury securities saw safe-haven buying, pushing yields down as investors sought stability amid escalating equity market volatility.
- •Artificial intelligence-related equities faced intense downward pressure following an exceptional period of appreciation and growing funding concerns.
Key Questions Answered
South Korea's Kospi index plunged over 8%, triggering a circuit breaker and halting trading, due to a global chip sell-off rout driven by unexpected US inflation data and sharp losses among major chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
The Japanese Nikkei 225 slumped over 4% intraday, while the broader TOPIX slipped 2% as global equity selloffs rippled across the Asia-Pacific region.
Unexpectedly high US inflation readings, exacerbated by sustained elevated crude oil prices following Middle East hostilities, drove expectations that the Federal Reserve will implement further tightening measures and interest rate increases.
