For the stock markets, 2026 began just as 2025 ended, that is, with the absolute domination of Seoul, which after having closed last year with a rise of more than 72%, in the first 45 days of last year it even rises by 30%, confirming a world record that has so far been unattainable for any other price list.
In great shape – but still at sideral distances from Seoul – also Taiwan Stock Exchanges eTokyo, while European stock markets, led by London, remain above parity and the US is trying to resist selling due to fears over artificial intelligence.
Stock Market: Memory Chips Send Seoul Into Orbit
Year to date, the Kospi of Seoul is setting one record after another and is currently trading at an all-time high of 5.507 points. "I think it's possible to even reach 6.000 points," said Jeong Eun Bo, CEO of the Korea Exchange, optimistically. "South Korea's major industries, such as semiconductors, defense, and shipbuilding, have increased their competitive advantage, which seems to lead to a new increase in value for the stock market," he added. This optimism is also supported by the fact that at the end of January, the South Korea overtook Germany in terms of stock market value.
The two memory chip giants are driving the index in particular: Samsung Electronics, which has already gained more than 40% in 2026 thanks also to the announcement of the start of series production of HBM4 memory chips, used as part of the development of the artificial intelligence infrastructure, and Sk Hynix, which in the same period rose by 34%.
Taiwan and Tokyo are also running
Completing the stock market podium at the beginning of 2026 are two other Asian stock markets: Taiwan, +16% since January 1st, and Tokyo, + 13%.
Let's start with the first: despite rising tensions with China, with Beijing launching live-fire military exercises around the island and the US announcing an $11 billion military supply package to Taiwan, the Taiex is rallying. Taiwan's main stock index closed 2025 above 29 points (an all-time high) and now, forty-five days later, it's already at 33.605. Here too, the tech sector is driving the gains, with Tsmc, the world's largest independent semiconductor manufacturer, with a market share of nearly 40%, which gained more than 20% in 2026.
Also on the shields Tokyo Nikkei, where optimism is sky-high after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's party last week achieved the biggest postwar election victory for a single party.
Europe's most backward: London the best
Europe is defending itself as best it can and, between Donald Trump's threats and the sell-offs of recent weeks triggered by fears about AI, it is still managing to remain in positive territory.
The best square is London, which has been advancing by 5,2% since the beginning despite the political crisis that has hit the Starmer government due to the Mandelson case and the “Epstein Files”. Positive also Amsterdam (+4%), while Paris e Madrid They earn about 2%. Follows Frankfurt, with a rise of 1,7%, while the Ftse Mib of Milan since January 1st it has risen by 1%, held back by sales on Stellantis (-30%) and financials. The best stocks? Saipem (+ 37%), stm (+ 27%) and Telecom Italy (+ 25%).
Overseas the main indices of the US Stock Exchange are travelling in mixed conditions: the Dow Jones rises by 3% while the Nasdaq marks -3% weighed down by sales in software and artificial intelligence stocks.
