Asian stocks today: Kospi, Nikkei rally up to 3% led by semiconductor stocks despite US-Iran war tensions

Asian markets rose for the first time in three sessions, with Kospi jumping 3% and Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining over 1.17%, led by a rally in semiconductor stocks including SK Hynix and Kioxia. Despite the rebound, escalating US-Iran conflict pushed Brent crude to around $78.80 a barrel and revived inflation worries, causing money markets to shift Fed rate hike expectations to October from December. Wall Street ended mixed overnight, with the S&P 500 falling 0.28% to 7,482.71 while the Nasdaq edged up 0.20% on Broadcom-led chip strength.