Japanese and South Korean equities rebounded sharply as tech stocks and bank earnings lifted risk appetite across the region.
Summary:
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Japanese equities rebounded sharply, led by tech and bank stocks
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Nikkei jumped over 3% as risk appetite improved and AI names rallied
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Strong bank earnings, including Mizuho, added to upside momentum
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South Korea’s KOSPI surged nearly 5% in a broad turnaround
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Improved global sentiment and political optimism supported the move
Japanese equities staged a strong rebound on Tuesday, with stocks rallying across the board as technology shares advanced, bank earnings surprised to the upside, and global risk sentiment improved following recent market volatility.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose around 3.1%, while the broader Topix gained roughly 2.5%. Technology and AI-linked stocks led the advance, tracking gains in global peers, while financials also provided a strong tailwind after upbeat earnings releases.
Bank shares were among the standout performers. Mizuho Financial Group jumped more than 5% after reporting profits above expectations and announcing a share buyback, reinforcing confidence in the sector’s earnings outlook amid higher domestic interest rates. Other major lenders also moved higher, benefiting from the prospect of improving margins and resilient credit conditions.
Analysts said the rebound was supported by a combination of dip-buying after recent heavy losses, stabilisation in gold prices, and improved sentiment following solid US manufacturing data. The pullback in safe-haven demand helped revive appetite for risk assets across Asia, particularly in cyclical and growth-oriented sectors.
Political factors also played a role, with some investors pointing to expectations that Japan’s ruling party could secure a win in elections scheduled for early February, reducing near-term policy uncertainty and supporting domestic equities.
The positive tone extended across the region. In South Korea, the KOSPI surged by almost 5%, marking the strongest performance in Asia and a sharp reversal from the previous session’s steep sell-off. The move reflected broad-based buying across technology, industrials and financials as investors reassessed valuations following Monday’s rout.
Overall, the session marked a decisive shift in mood after a turbulent start to the week, with investors rotating back into equities as volatility eased. While markets remain sensitive to global data and policy signals, Tuesday’s rally highlighted the willingness of investors to re-engage when macro conditions and earnings momentum align.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.