Nikkei 225 vs KOSPI Correlation 2026
Cross-market correlation analysis between Nikkei 225 (Japan) and KOSPI (South Korea). Research-only. Not investment advice.
Last updated: Apr 9, 2026 · NKY: 55,895 · KOSPI: 5,872
QUICK ANSWER · AS OF Apr 9, 2026
What is the NKY vs KOSPI correlation in 2026?
The NKY-KOSPI 30D correlation is 0.72 (5Y baseline: 0.6). Nikkei 225 at 55,895 (YTD: +8.2%), KOSPI at 5,872 (YTD: +5.2%). Regime: high correlation.
30D Corr
0.72
5Y Baseline
0.6
NKY
55,895
KOSPI
5,872
Japan-Korea correlation is high. Both are export-oriented, semiconductor-heavy economies sensitive to the global tech cycle and USD/Asia FX dynamics.
Correlation Dashboard
Nikkei 225 (Japan)
55,895
YTD: +8.2%
KOSPI (South Korea)
5,872
YTD: +5.2%
30D Correlation
0.72
90D Correlation
0.68
1Y Correlation
0.65
5Y Baseline
0.60
Regime Analysis
Japan-Korea correlation is high. Both are export-oriented, semiconductor-heavy economies sensitive to the global tech cycle and USD/Asia FX dynamics.
Divergence Score
Score
40/100
Signal
ELEVATED
Deviation
0.12
Score = |30D corr − 5Y baseline| / 0.30 × 100, capped at 100. Higher = greater deviation from historical norm.
Data Freshness & Timezone
Each index is observed at its local market close. Cross-timezone correlations align returns to the later-closing market's trading day.
| Index | Market | Close Time (Local) | Timezone | As Of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKY | Japan | 15:00 | JST (+09:00) | 2026-04-09 |
| KOSPI | South Korea | 15:30 | KST (+09:00) | 2026-04-08 |
Methodology
Correlations are Pearson rolling correlations of daily log returns, computed over the specified window (30D, 90D, 1Y). Returns are calculated from local-currency index levels at each market's official close time.
For cross-timezone pairs (e.g., NKY in JST vs KOSPI in KST), returns are aligned to the later-closing market's trading day. This means KOSPI's return on day T is paired with NKY's return on the same calendar day.
Regime classification: high (≥0.60), moderate (0.35–0.59), low (0.15–0.34), negative (<0.15). The 5-year baseline represents the average 90D rolling correlation over 2021–2025.
Known Limitations:
- Timezone misalignment: NKY (JST) and KOSPI (KST) close at different times. Asian markets close before European/US markets open, so "same-day" correlations reflect lagged information flow.
- Holiday calendars: Different national holidays create gaps in return series. Missing days are excluded from correlation calculations.
- Currency effects: Correlations are computed in local currency. FX movements (e.g., USD/JPY, EUR/USD) are embedded in the correlation but not isolated.
- Regime dependency: Correlations are backward-looking and can shift rapidly during crises. The 30D window captures recent dynamics but may not reflect structural relationships.
v0.1-beta · Research use only — not investment advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NKY-KOSPI correlation in 2026? ▾
The 30-day rolling correlation between Nikkei 225 and KOSPI is 0.72 as of Apr 9, 2026. The 5-year baseline is 0.6. Current regime: high correlation.
Why does the NKY-KOSPI correlation matter? ▾
The correlation between Nikkei 225 (Japan) and KOSPI (South Korea) measures how closely these markets move together. High correlation means diversification benefits are limited; low correlation means the markets respond to different drivers, offering potential diversification. Changes in correlation can signal regime shifts in global capital flows.
Is this a trading signal? ▾
No. This page provides research-only cross-market correlation analysis. It does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to trade.
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📎 Cite This Data ▾
APA 7th Edition
AhaSignals. (2026). NKY-KOSPI Correlation. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://ahasignals.com/equity-correlation/nk225-kospi/
Methodology: v0.1-beta
Data as-of: Apr 9, 2026
Research purposes only. Not investment advice. All index inputs from free, public, clickable sources.
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This page is for informational and research purposes only — not investment advice. Equity markets are volatile. Past correlation patterns do not predict future performance. Index levels are derived from publicly available market observations. © 2026 AhaSignals. All rights reserved.