ETN Communications Agency (April 15) - U.S. inflation data exceeded market expectations, triggering market concerns over interest rate trends. Japanese and South Korean stock markets extended the tech-led Wall Street downturn on Thursday, with chip-related stocks plummeting. The Nikkei index plunged more than 3,200 points, falling below 65,000, a steep drop of over 4.8%.

  Japanese stocks related to AI and semiconductors were heavily sold off, with the biggest decliners including Tokyo Electron (US.TSLWY), Advantest (US.ATEYY), and SoftBank Group (US.SFTBY).

  South Korea's KOSPI Composite Stock Price Index also plunged, currently down over 7.7%. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell about 2.2%. (yc)