Topic
index
Finance South Korea's Kospi tumbles 6% as SK Hynix miss, AI spending fears trigger chip rout
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index plunged 6% on Wednesday, closing at 5,663.24, its lowest since early April. The selloff was led by a 9.4% drop in SK Hynix after quarterly earnings missed forecasts, and a 4.8% decline in Samsung Electronics. Renewed concerns over high AI valuations and China's progress in low-cost AI models weighed on the sector, with regional markets like Japan's Nikkei and Taiwan's Taiex also falling.
Business India's Industrial Production Surges 7.3% in June, Led by Manufacturing and Power Sectors
India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) expanded 7.3% year-on-year in June 2026, accelerating from 5% in May, according to the National Statistics Office. Manufacturing output grew 7.8%, while electricity & gas supply surged 10.6%. Within manufacturing, 19 of 23 industry groups posted positive growth, led by electrical equipment (34%), motor vehicles (17.5%), and food products (10.8%). Chief Economist Aditi Nayar of ICRA Ltd noted broad-based acceleration and robust investment activity.
Business South Korea's KOSPI Crashes 10.8%: Circuit Breaker Triggered as Semiconductor Rout Deepens
South Korea's KOSPI plunged 10.84% on Tuesday, its worst session in five months, driven by a rout in semiconductor stocks SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. A circuit breaker was triggered for the eighth time this year. Foreign investors net sold 5 trillion won ($3.42 billion), while concerns over Chinese chipmaker CXMT's blockbuster IPO added to selling pressure.
Business RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index Climbs to 70.0 in March 2026, Signaling Deeper Financial Engagement
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported its Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) rose to 70.0 in March 2026 from 67.0 in March 2025, reflecting sustained progress in expanding financial services. The composite index, tracking 97 indicators, showed improvements across all three dimensions (Access 35%, Usage 45%, Quality 20%), driven primarily by higher usage of financial services including digital infrastructure, credit, and insurance.
Logistics Index of driver pay, product of two companies, is surging
The Truck Driver Pay Index jointly calculated by AscendTMS and Superior Trucking Payroll Services has surged to an all-time high of 170.04 in June 2025, following a 13.5% increase in two months. The index's rapid rise confirms higher driver compensation and is correlated with increases in spot freight rates, according to company executives.
Finance Kospi Plunges 7% into Bear Market as Strait of Hormuz Closure Sparks Global Sell-Off
South Korea's Kospi index fell 511 points to 6,964.76, a 7% decline, placing it in bear market territory 25% below June peak. The sell-off was triggered by Iran's claim of closing the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices up more than 4%. Technology heavyweights SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics led losses, falling 10% and 6% respectively. Despite the correction, the Kospi remains the world's best-performing major index in 2026, up 63% year-to-date.
New Machine Learning Framework Creates Global Ease of Living Index for Major Economies
A new study presents a machine learning framework to create a Global Ease of Living Index, combining various socio-economic and infrastructural factors into a composite score for major economies since 1970. The index uses dimensionality reduction to address missing data and aims to help policymakers identify areas for improvement.
Business GCC Commercial Property Index Hits 165 in Q1 CY’26 Amid Stable Pan-India Growth
The Pan-India GCC Commercial Property Rental Index (CPRI) stood at 165 in Q1 CY’26, with a three-year CAGR of 0.9%, signalling stable growth. Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru are top GCC destinations, while Navi Mumbai recorded the highest three-year rental CAGR of 13.4%.
Business Kospi's AI Rally Collapses: South Korean Benchmark Tumbles 7%, Sidecar Triggered
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI tumbled over 7% on Tuesday, reversing from record highs, as investors sold AI-heavy technology stocks despite strong Samsung earnings. The Korea Exchange activated a sell-side sidecar, and the rout hit major names like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hanwha Ocean.
Logistics Cass Report: Freight Volume Recovery On Track for Second Half of 2026
The Cass Freight Index multimodal shipments component fell just 1.2% year over year in May, the smallest decline in 18 months, signaling a volume recovery in the second half of 2026. Expenditures jumped 7.5% YoY and the TL linehaul index rose 6.9% YoY, the largest gain in nearly four years. Supply constraints from tighter enforcement of driver rules are pushing rates higher.
Logistics Record Growth in Transportation Pricing Index for May
The transportation pricing index recorded unprecedented growth in May, driven by capacity constraints and rising fuel costs. This surge affects freight rates and logistics operations globally.
Manufacturing China's Manufacturing PMI Dips: A Cause for Concern?
China's manufacturing PMI fell to 50.0% in May, indicating a potential slowdown in industrial activity. Large enterprises showed resilience with a PMI of 51.1%, while medium and small enterprises faced contraction. Rising raw material costs due to geopolitical tensions are impacting production.