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Stock Markets Kick Off 2026 with Vibrant Gains

A Bright Start Across Asian Markets

Asian markets commenced 2026 positively on Friday, despite relatively low trading volumes resulting from both Tokyo and Shanghai being closed for the holiday. Investors, eager for direction, await the developments from Wall Street, which often sets the tone for global markets. This cautious optimism can be attributed to the robust performance of stocks in 2025, as traders remain hopeful about future gains.

Stellar Performance in 2025

The year 2025 proved to be remarkable for stock markets. The S&P 500 index clocked in a notable 16.4% increase, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq surged even higher at 20.4%. London’s FTSE also experienced its most jubilant Christmas in 16 years, marking a season of robust growth. As markets transition into 2026, questions loom large about the continuity of this positive momentum.

Regional Highlights in Asia

In Asia, exceptional gains were recorded with Seoul stocks soaring 75%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rebounding 28%, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 climbing over 26%. The question that surfaces as investors speculate about the new year is: will this valuable growth trend continue?

Kyle Rodda from Australian brokerage Capital.com believes the consensus is optimistic. “Yes, it will continue,” he remarked. He pointed out that Wall Street is projecting a boost in economic growth for the upcoming year, complemented by a moderation in inflation and potential interest rate cuts. Analysts further predict an improvement in corporate fundamentals, lending an encouraging perspective to investors.

Hong Kong’s Strong Showing

On Friday, Hong Kong’s market surged by 2.2%, led by remarkable performance from chip designer Biren Technologies, whose shares skyrocketed by 80% following an initial public offering (IPO). The Shanghai-based firm raised over $700 million, reflecting a growing and seemingly unquenchable investor appetite for entities linked to artificial intelligence.

Kenny Ng, a strategist at China Everbright Securities, noted that Biren enjoys a "scarcity value and high market attention." He elaborated, stating that the industry is at a flourishing stage, with numerous firms chasing breakthroughs, suggesting strong growth potential ahead.

Significant Movements in AI Stocks

In line with advancements in AI, search-engine giant Baidu saw a jump of nearly 7% after its AI chip division, Kunlunxin, filed for a listing in Hong Kong. Similarly, other Asian markets including Taipei, Sydney, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore registered gains, while Seoul’s Kospi index, which experienced a phenomenal 76% increase in 2025 largely due to the AI boom, rose by 1.7% on this day. Notably, Samsung Electronics also climbed 3% after co-CEO Jun Young Hyun received positive feedback on its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, with some analysts suggesting that "Samsung is back," according to Bloomberg News.

Bright Prospects for Precious Metals

After a series of volatile trading days and record highs for silver, precious metals began the New Year positively. Gold rose by 0.64% per ounce, while silver shined 1.5% brighter in value.

Key Figures from the Market

As the clock ticked to 0430 GMT, key market figures stood as follows:

• Hong Kong: Hang Seng Index rose 2.2% to 26,189.79
• Shanghai: Market closed for the holiday
• Tokyo: Market closed for the holiday
• Euro/Dollar: Increased to $1.1757 from $1.1750 on Wednesday
• Pound/Dollar: Slight rise to $1.3480 from $1.3478
• Dollar/Yen: Up to 156.84 from 156.66 yen
• Euro/Pound: Up to 87.22 pence from 87.18 pence

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