Tech-led rally lifts Asia markets to fresh highs as rate worries ease

Asian stocks rose on Thursday as technology shares drove gains, offsetting rate-uncertainty, with South Korea’s KOSPI hitting a record near 5,673 as Samsung Electronics led memory-chip gains on AI demand and chip-price optimism; Samsung’s HBM4 mass production news and a chip-shortage backdrop supported pricing. Australia’s ASX 200 also reached a record around 9,118 on strength in mining and banks, while Japan’s Nikkei rose on a weaker yen boosting exporters. January exports in Korea surged about 34%, and softer domestic jobs data kept rate-hike bets in check, even as Fed signals remained hawkish. Mainland China and Hong Kong markets were closed for the Lunar New Year.