Asian Stocks Rise as KOSPI Surges on Chip Rally, Nasdaq 100 Futures Gain 0.4% Ahead of US CPI

Asian stocks climbed on August 12, 2026, as a fresh rally in chip shares pushed South Korea’s KOSPI sharply higher. Strong gains in major semiconductor companies lifted technology sentiment, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose about 0.4% before the latest US inflation data. Investors were watching closely to see whether the CPI report would support hopes for lower interest rates or put fresh pressure on high-growth stocks.

KOSPI Surges 3.68% as Samsung and SK Hynix Power the Chip Rally

South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 3.68% to 6,579.04 on August 12, driven by a strong rally in semiconductor stocks. Samsung Electronics rose 6.7%, while SK Hynix gained 5.5%. The gains reflected renewed investor confidence in AI infrastructure and demand for high-bandwidth memory.

Samsung and SK Hynix Drive South Korea’s Market Rebound

Foreign investors also helped fuel the advance. The chip sector has a major influence on the KOSPI, given the global position of Samsung and SK Hynix in the semiconductor industry and AI supply chain.

Analyst sentiment toward Samsung also remained positive. Meyka previously reported a Strong Buy consensus, with an average 12-month target near 428,000 won in late June. It also pointed to AI memory demand as a major factor supporting the company’s growth.

AI Spending Optimism Returns to Semiconductor Stocks

The rally followed continued optimism over spending on AI data centres and advanced memory chips. SK Hynix has benefited heavily from this demand, while Samsung continues to build its position in the AI memory market. Investors appear to be betting that AI spending can keep chip demand strong, even if wider markets remain unsettled.

South Korea's chip boom is quietly rewriting the definition of success.

Factory workers at SK Hynix and Samsung are now pulling in bonuses over $400,000 a year. That is starting to outpace what doctors and lawyers earn after a decade of training. pic.twitter.com/8JDkrKCXqS

— Jin Woo (@soorjinwoo) August 12, 2026

Asian Stocks Rise, but the Regional Rally Is Not Broad-Based

Gains spread beyond South Korea. Japan and Taiwan also moved higher as technology shares followed the stronger outlook for global chip demand. Still, the rally did not reach every market.

Japan, Taiwan and China Also Move Higher

Wall Street’s strength in technology stocks helped support Asian trading. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan saw some of the biggest benefits because their markets have significant exposure to semiconductors and AI supply chains. Reuters reported that chipmakers were among the main drivers of the regional advance.

Hong Kong and Australia Lag the Regional Advance

Elsewhere, performance was weaker. Technology and AI-linked shares attracted buyers, but inflation concerns, elevated oil prices and uncertainty over interest rates limited risk-taking across the region. The rise in Asian stocks remained largely concentrated in markets with strong semiconductor exposure.

Nasdaq 100 Futures Gain 0.4% Ahead of the US CPI Report

Nasdaq 100 futures rose about 0.4% before the July US CPI release. Better sentiment around AI and positive earnings from AI cloud company CoreWeave supported technology stocks.

Why Does US CPI Matter for Tech Stocks?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics scheduled the July CPI report for August 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET. June CPI had fallen 0.4% month-on-month, while annual inflation stood at 3.5%.

A softer reading could ease pressure from interest-rate expectations and support growth stocks. A stronger-than-expected result could do the opposite, particularly for technology companies trading at high valuations.

What Meyka Says About the Nasdaq 100?

According to Meyka’s AI stock analysis tool, the Nasdaq 100 had a bullish short-term outlook. Its one-month forecast stood at 30,604.64, around 4.62% above the quoted level. The longer-term model was more cautious, while Meyka rated overall sentiment as neutral.

Oil Near $90 Adds Another Inflation Risk for Global Investors

Oil prices remained elevated as tensions surrounding the Iran conflict continued and negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz remained stalled. Reuters said these developments kept energy-driven inflation risks in focus before the CPI report.

Higher oil prices could add to inflation pressure. That could create another challenge for the Nasdaq 100 and other high-growth markets.

What Investors Should Watch After the KOSPI Rally?

Investors were watching the US CPI result, bond yields, and whether the chip rally could continue. A softer inflation reading could extend gains in technology shares. A higher-than-expected figure could quickly put pressure on valuations, especially across semiconductor stocks.

Conclusion

The KOSPI’s sharp rise showed continued demand for AI and semiconductor shares. The next move in the Nasdaq 100, though, may depend heavily on the US inflation data and its effect on interest-rate expectations. Samsung, SK Hynix, and other chip stocks could remain in focus, while investors watch CPI results and bond yields for signs of where the market may head next.

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is for research and informational purposes only. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be treated as investment or trading advice.