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HomeLocal NewsAsian Market Tumbles as Investors Sell to Secure Gains from AI-Driven Rally

Asian Market Tumbles as Investors Sell to Secure Gains from AI-Driven Rally

Asian Market Tumbles as Investors Sell to Secure Gains from AI-Driven Rally

© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

At the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, a currency trader walks past a monitor displaying the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) alongside the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and South Korean won, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets took a sharp dive on Friday, with Japanese and South Korean markets bearing the brunt as investors sold off shares to cash in on recent gains tied to the artificial intelligence boom.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index dropped by 4.4%, while Seoul’s Kospi nosedived by 7.7%. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 1.9%, and the Shanghai Composite index fell by 2.1%.

These movements reflect ongoing market volatility as investors monitor the ever-evolving developments within the AI industry.

Both the Nikkei and Kospi hit record highs earlier this week.

On Thursday, the U.S. stock market drifted to a mixed finish after several AI stocks veered back up the roller coaster, while Apple shares dropped after the company hiked prices on many of its products.