Asian stocks today: Kospi, Nikkei surge up to 4% as semiconductor stocks rally; SK Hynix, Samsung lead

Asian markets traded higher on AI optimism with South Korea's Kospi surging over 4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 advancing 1.10%, led by semiconductor stocks including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix which climbed about 4% each. Oil prices extended their rally on geopolitical tensions, with Brent crude rising 2% to around $96 a barrel after Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and escalating US-Iran rhetoric over the Strait of Hormuz. US tech earnings were mixed as Alphabet fell 3% after raising capex guidance, Tesla declined 4% on weaker-than-expected results, and IBM edged lower, while the 30-year US Treasury yield stayed above 5% for its longest stretch since the global financial crisis.