Asian Markets Thursday May 21 2026: Samsung +7%, KOSPI +6%, Nvidia $91B Guidance Drives Double Relief Rally

# Asian Markets Thursday May 21 2026: Samsung +7%, KOSPI +6%, Nvidia $91B Guidance Drives Double Relief Rally

> **Quick answer:** Asian markets rallied sharply on Thursday May 21 2026, powered by two simultaneous catalysts: Samsung Electronics jumped roughly 7% after a last-minute deal averted a 47,000-worker strike, lifting South Korea's KOSPI as much as 6%. Separately, Nvidia's $81.6 billion Q1 beat and $91 billion Q2 guidance sent chip stocks higher across the region. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index gained 1.2%, snapping a four-day losing streak.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.*

The Asian trading session on Thursday May 21 2026 delivered the kind of morning traders dream about — and dread missing. Two major overhangs that had weighed on sentiment for days were lifted within hours of each other, triggering a broad relief rally that ran through Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, and Hong Kong. The double catalyst: Nvidia's blockbuster Q1 earnings report and a last-minute Samsung labor deal that saved 47,000 chip-plant jobs from the picket line.

## What Happened: Two Catalysts, One Morning

**Catalyst 1: Nvidia beats and raises — big.**