25 February 2026 — Today’s Market News — “KOSPI Breaks the 6,000 Barrier in Historic Surge; Thomson Reuters Rockets 11%”

February 25, 2026 Centrino Capital

Markets Turn Risk-On, Silver Jumps 2.4% — But VIX Keeps Traders on Guard

Markets turned modestly risk-on as AI optimism lifted Asian equities, with the KOSPI hitting a record. Silver rose 2.4%, gold gained 0.7%, and Brent held near $71/bbl. USD/JPY climbed to 156, while the VIX stayed contained at 19.55.

Today’s Snapshot

• Nasdaq Composite: 22,863.68 (+236.41 pts, +1.04% – last close)
          • Nikkei 225: ~58,853.87 (+1,495.07 pts, +2.60%)
          • KOSPI: 6,083.86 (+112.56 pts, +1.89%)
          • Gold: ~$5,203.95/oz (+0.70%)
          • Silver: ~$90.97/oz (+2.40%)

Global Markets

Global Markets

(A) Precious Metals

Gold: ~$5,203.95/oz (+0.70%)
Gold rose by 0.70% as the new U.S tariff uncertainty kept the safe-haven in demand while expectations for rate cuts later this year also has been making the commodity attractive.

Silver: ~$90.97/oz (+2.40%)

Silver rose more than gold because it benefits from both safe-haven demand and industrial demand. As technology and semiconductor stocks improved, investors expect stronger industrial demand for the white metal.

(B) Energy

Brent crude: $71.04/bbl (+0.65%)
Brent crude rose because investors were worried that tensions between the U.S. and Iran could affect the supply of oil, which could move prices higher. Traders are also waiting for inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to see whether oil stockpiles are falling or rising.

(C) FX

Dollar Index (DXY): 97.635 (−0.14%)
The dollar was mostly stable but slightly weaker because U.S. bond interest rates did not change much. When bond interest rates go higher, foreign investors buy more U.S. dollars to invest, which usually makes the dollar stronger. Since interest rates were steady, the dollar did not move much. The currency was also reacting to trade-related news.

USD/JPY: 156.28 (+0.80%)
USD/JPY rose as the yen weakened after reports suggested Japan may not raise interest rates further. This increased the gap between U.S. and Japanese interest rates, supporting the dollar.

(C) Stock Market — What Happened Today

U.S Equities

Nasdaq Composite: 22,863.68 (+236.41 pts, +1.04% – last close)

S&P 500: 6,890.07 (+52.32 pts, +0.80% – last close)

Tech stocks rebounded as concerns around AI eased and investors became more confident about the AI growth. Semiconductor and software companies rose as investors started buying them again & gains were limited because trade policy uncertainty still remains.

Major Movers:

AMD (+8.8%) — jumped after announcing a five-year AI chip supply agreement with Meta worth up to $60bn, with shipments starting in H2 2026 to support Meta’s data center expansion. The deal also includes an option for Meta to take up to a 10% stake in AMD.

Thomson Reuters (+11.41%) — rose after its AI legal tool CoCounsel reached 1 million users and the company expanded AI partnerships with Anthropic. Thomson Reuters’ AI tool CoCounsel uses Anthropic’s Claude AI model.

Japan

Nikkei 225: ~58,853.87 (+1,495.07 pts, +2.60%)
Japan led global market gains as the recovery in AI-related stocks spread across Asian technology companies. Investors expect companies to continue strong capex spending on AI and semiconductors, supporting chipmakers and their supply chains.

Major Movers:

Panasonic (+2.81%) — rose because the Japanese yen weakened. Since Panasonic sells many products overseas, including batteries and electronics, a weaker yen increases the value of its foreign earnings when converted back into yen. This improves profit expectations and supports the stock price.

South Korea

KOSPI: 6,083.86 (+112.56 pts, +1.89%)

South Korea’s market rose strongly, led by gains in auto stocks as improving global confidence supported exporter companies. KOSPI hit above 6,000 pts for the first time.

Major Movers:

• Hyundai Motor (+8.0%) — jumped as investors bought cyclical stocks amid improving global sentiment.
• Kia Corp (+13.0%) — surged on strong buying in auto stocks as risk appetite improved.

Volatility & Positioning

The VIX closed at 19.55, indicating a cautious market tone amid ongoing AI & tariff uncertainty.

What Traders Are Watching

AI/semis follow-through — Investors are watching whether gains in AI and chip stocks will continue, especially with Nvidia earnings expected soon.
Tariff headlines & growth confidence — Investors are watching for any updates on U.S. tariffs, as changes could affect business confidence and impact different sectors differently.
USD/JPY around 156 — Investors are watching USD/JPY near the 156 level, as a further rise could increase the risk of Japan stepping in to support the yen.

Yesterday’s Market News — 24 February 2026

U.S. equities fell sharply after tariffs were raised to 15%, with the Dow dropping 821 points on growth concerns. Hong Kong slid 2.2% on trade worries, while Japan’s Nikkei rose on tech and exporter strength. Gold and silver declined as the dollar strengthened, and the VIX climbed above 21, signaling cautious sentiment.

Catch up on: Tariff Shockwaves Rattle Wall Street, PayPal Explodes 5.8% on Takeover Buzz.

Sources

Source

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