Asian stock markets traded in mixed fashion on Wednesday, with Seoul outperforming as chipmaker gains propelled the KOSPI up 3.68 percent. Samsung Electronics surged more than 7 percent and SK Hynix climbed nearly 7 percent, leading a broader rally in semiconductor shares. Tokyo and Shanghai also edged higher, while Hong Kong, Sydney, and Singapore retreated.
In the United States, major indices closed lower ahead of a closely watched consumer inflation report. The S&P 500 fell 0.32 percent and the Nasdaq dropped 0.6 percent, though the Dow Jones managed a 0.34 percent gain. WTI crude held near $83 a barrel, while gold rose to $4,398.78 an ounce and the dollar strengthened against the euro and yen.
In European bonds, the spread between Italian and German government debt widened to 79.3 basis points as yields climbed across the region. In corporate news, Vestas raised its full-year operating margin guidance, Cadeler acquired offshore specialist Menck, and Norsk Hydro cut alumina production at its Brazilian plant to 50 percent.