25 March 2026 — Today’s Market News — SK Hynix $14B Capital Raise Plan and Jefferies M&A Speculation Shape Market Sentiment.
Investors stayed cautious as Estee Lauder fell 9.8% on merger uncertainty, gold dropped 1.9% on higher yields.
Markets traded with a cautious tone as investors reacted to rising rate expectations and key corporate developments. U.S. equities declined, with the Nasdaq falling 2.01%, while Asian markets outperformed, led by the Nikkei (+1.43%) and KOSPI (+1.2%). In commodities, gold dropped 1.9% on higher yields, while silver gained 2.0% on recovery buying
Today’s Snapshot
• Nasdaq Composite: 21,946.76 (-2.01%)
• Nikkei 225: 52,252.28 (+1.43%)
• KOSPI: 5,553.92 (+1.2%)
• Gold: $4,389.26/oz (-1.88%)
• Silver: $69.43/oz (+2.02%)
Global Markets
(A) Precious Metals
Gold: $4,389.26/oz (-1.88%)
Gold fell as higher oil prices increased worries that inflation may stay high for longer. This made investors expect fewer interest rate cuts, which pushed bond yields higher. Since gold does not give any interest, higher yields make it less attractive
Silver: $69.43/oz (+2.02%)
Silver increased mainly because investors bought it after the recent fall. It also got support from its industrial use, as demand is expected to stay steady.
(B) FX
Dollar Index (DXY): 99.39 (-0.40%)
The dollar fell slightly as investors reduced positions after its recent gains, especially in thin year-end trading. Lower trading activity and some profit-taking put mild pressure on the dollar.
(C) Stock Market — What Happened Today
U.S Equities
- Nasdaq Composite: 21,946.76 (-2.01%)
The Nasdaq fell as higher oil prices and rising bond yields made investors move away from growth stocks like tech. Since these companies depend on future earnings, higher rates reduce their valuations. Overall, investors turned cautious and reduced risk exposure.
Major Movers:
EL. –Estee Lauder (-9.8%)
Fell sharply after confirming it is in talks for a potential merger with Spain’s Puig Brands, a deal that could create a ~$40 billion global beauty group.
The decline reflects investor concerns over deal uncertainty, possible dilution, and execution risks, especially as the company is already undergoing a turnaround.
JEF- Jefferies (+2.5%)
Shares rose after a report that Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) is exploring a possible takeover of the investment bank, boosting investor sentiment.
South Korea
KOSPI: 5,553.92 (+1.2%)
The KOSPI rose as investors bought back stocks after recent declines, supported by improved global sentiment.
Major Mover:
000660.KS -SK Hynix (+3.8%)
Shares rose after the company confidentially filed for a potential U.S. listing (IPO), which is expected to raise around $9.6 billion to $14.4 billion to fund its AI memory chip expansion.
Volatility & Positioning
VIX closed at 26.15, indicating elevated conditions, with investors maintaining cautious positioning amid oil volatility and shifting rate expectations.
What Traders Are Watching
- Oil direction — Brent remains the clearest macro transmission channel into inflation, yields and equity risk sentiment.
- Central bank repricing — Fed and other central banks are being forced to weigh war-driven inflation risk against softer growth, which matters directly for rates and valuation multiples.
- USD/JPY and broader dollar strength — The pair remains elevated as yield differentials favor the dollar, and any sharper move could raise intervention concerns and spill into broader risk sentiment.
Yesterday’s Market News — March 24, 2026
Markets were mixed in the previous session as energy IPO momentum picked up, highlighted by a $231 million Baker Hughes-backed listing, while AI optimism lifted equities. Tesla rose 3.4% on expansion plans in artificial intelligence, supporting tech sentiment even as broader markets remained cautious.
Catch up on: Energy IPO Momentum Builds with $231M Baker Hughes-Backed Listing as Tesla Jumps ~3–4% on AI Expansion.
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