March 3, 2026 06:42:08 UTC
Korean Stocks Plunge as Market Reopens
South Korea’s stock market suffered a sharp fall on reopening, with the KOSPI dropping 7.23% and wiping out about ₩390 trillion ($270 billion) in market value. The sell-off marks the biggest single-day decline since the August 2024 yen carry trade shock. Markets had been closed on Monday for a holiday, making this the first trading session. Heavy selling was driven by fears over oil supply disruptions and growing global uncertainty.
March 3, 2026 06:42:08 UTC
Israeli Stocks Hit Record High Despite Iran Tensions
Israel’s main stock indexes climbed to fresh record highs. The TA-35 Index surged 4.61% to 4,318.50, while the TA-125 Index jumped 4.75% to 4,268.43. Gains were led by defense, energy, and banking shares as investors showed confidence in the market’s strength. Meanwhile, the Israeli shekel strengthened about 1.5% against the U.S. dollar, signaling steady investor sentiment despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
