KOSPI crashes 8%, Nikkei down 4% as Asian markets feel the AI sell-off heat

Asian equity markets tumbled sharply, with South Korea’s Kospi sliding roughly 8% and Japan’s Nikkei down about 4%. The drop was sparked by a broad sell‑off in semiconductor stocks after U.S. inflation numbers came in hotter than expected, reviving concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep raising rates.
The move matters because many Asian companies are linked to the AI and chip supply chain, and higher U.S. rates can dampen global demand and raise financing costs. A spill‑over into broader indices signals heightened risk for investors holding exposure to technology‑heavy portfolios.
Investors should keep an eye on the next U.S. CPI release, any Fed commentary on policy direction, and upcoming earnings from major chip manufacturers. Regional central‑bank actions and any signs of market stabilization will also be key indicators of where the sell‑off may head next.
Excerpt from CNBC-TV18
Published On Oct 15, 2026 | 07:14 IST Last Updated On Oct 15, 2026 | 07:14 IST Asian markets plunged sharply, with South Korea's Kospi falling 8% and Japan's Nikkei down 4%, as a global chip and AI stock sell-off was triggered by higher-than-expected US inflation data raising fears of further Federal Reserve rate…Read the original at CNBC-TV18
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- Category: Stocks.
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