Asian Stocks

SoftBank Group shares jumped 19.85% to 6,039 yen, adding nearly $35 billion to the company’s market capitalisation in a single session. The conglomerate’s total market value now stands at approximately 34.49 trillion yen.

Asian markets today: Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.88%, while the TOPIX fell 0.75%. South Korea’s KOSPI declined 0.52%, and the small-cap KOSDAQ dropped 2.15%.

Asian markets today: Japanese stocks surged more than 4% on Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 crossing the 62,000 mark for the first time.

Samsung Electronics estimated that its first quarter operating profit jumped to a record high of 57.2 trillion won ($37.9 billion), exceeding market expectations and more than eight times the profit it posted a year earlier.

Sakura Internet share price has gained over 3% in one month, and has rallied 7% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. The Japanese stock has declined 16% in one year, but has delivered multibagger returns of 273% over the past five years.

Global defence stocks surged on March 2 amid escalating US-Iran tensions, with Lockheed Martin rising 7.5%. The conflict heightened fears of broader regional confrontations, leading to increased demand for military equipment.

Pinkfong stock peaked at 61,500 won in early trading on Tuesday. Despite raising a modest 76 billion won ($53 million) through its IPO, the shares were issued at 38,000 won each, the upper limit of the price range.

Stock market today: Indian markets are expected to open flat on Friday, May 2, despite gains in Asian peers and a strong rally on Wall Street during Thursday’s session. Auto stocks will be active following April sales results. Eternal reports a profit decline.

Global markets today: Asian stocks rebound despite Trump's tariff threats; Nikkei up 5.50%, Kospi gains 2.30%

South Korea’s SK Hynix posted an operating profit of 8.08 trillion won ($5.6 billion) in the December quarter, slightly above the 8 trillion won average forecast by LSEG SmartEstimate. The company also boosted its annual dividend by 25% to 1,500 won a share.