Global equity markets displayed sharp divergences on Friday, with robust quarterly earnings from US tech giants failing to generate sustained positive momentum.
Amazon and Microsoft delivered results that provided immediate, albeit temporary, relief to nervous investors, but the broader market reaction remained erratic and fragmented.
South Korea’s Kospi index surged nearly 18% in a single session, driven by a massive rally in semiconductor stocks.
The disconnect between strong corporate fundamentals and unstable price action underscores a growing sense of uncertainty among traders, who are oscillating between euphoria and panic rather than anchoring to valuation metrics.
In Asia, the volatility was even more pronounced.
South Korea’s Kospi index surged nearly 18% in a single session, driven by a massive rally in semiconductor stocks.
Samsung and SK Hynix led the charge, reflecting intense speculative interest in the chip sector despite the broader global instability.