Asian stocks today: Kospi, Nikkei rally up to 6% after soft US inflation data eases rate hike concerns

Asian markets rallied after softer-than-expected US inflation data eased Federal Reserve rate hike concerns, with South Korea's Kospi surging 6.3% at the open led by SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, while Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.9% and Australia's ASX 200 gained 0.6%. US Treasuries stabilised after a sharp rally, the US dollar weakened against G10 currencies, and gold traded near $4,050 an ounce. Brent crude climbed 1.8% above $86 per barrel, extending a three-session gain driven by renewed US-Iran tensions and Trump's threat of additional strikes after resuming a blockade on Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.