Asia markets mixed as Wingtech slumps, Kospi hits record high

October 14, 2025 (MLN): Asia markets traded mixed on Tuesday as shares of Chinese chipmaker Wingtech Technology Co. tumbled for a second straight session, while South Korea’s Kospi Index hit an all-time high, lifted by strong earnings from major tech and battery firms.

Wingtech’s Shanghai-listed shares plunged 10% at the open, reaching the daily limit after the Dutch government took control of its Netherlands-based subsidiary Nexperia under the “Goods Availability Act.”

The move, according to the Netherlands’ Minister of Economic Affairs, aimed to safeguard the supply of critical semiconductor components in emergencies.

Nexperia produces chips essential for automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics, making it vital to Europe’s tech supply chain.

In South Korea, the Kospi gained 1.01% to 3,646.67, driven by construction and mining stocks. Korea Zinc surged 17.95% and Tongyang Inc jumped 17.49%.

LG Energy Solution advanced over 7% after forecasting a 34% jump in Q3 operating profit on strong U.S. EV demand ahead of the phaseout of government incentives.

Samsung Electronics rose 2.47% after projecting a 32% annual profit increase to ₩12.1tr ($8.48bn), beating LSEG SmartEstimates of ₩10.1tr. The Kosdaq also added 0.84%.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slipped 1.34%, and the Topix fell 1.31%, dragged down by a 5% drop in SoftBank Group, following reports that its U.K.-based chip unit Arm Holdings is collaborating with OpenAI on a new partnership with Broadcom to develop AI accelerators.

Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.75%, and the Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.9%.

Mainland China’s CSI 300 edged up 0.87%, while Singapore’s economy grew 2.9% in Q3, surpassing expectations of 1.9%, though slower than the previous quarter’s 4.4% growth.

On Wall Street, major indices recovered Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump softened his rhetoric toward China following a week of escalating trade tensions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.29% (587.98 points) to 46,067.58, while the S&P 500 rose 1.56% to 6,654.72, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.21% to 22,694.61.

Trump said, “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine!” on Truth Social, as both Washington and Beijing prepared to impose reciprocal port fees on cargo ships starting Tuesday.

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