South Korea September consumer confidence index 106.6, prior 104.5.

Coherent launched PhotonLink, an integrated optical platform for AI data centers combining the firm's photonics technology portfolio with precision assembly and test capabilities. The platform supports co‑packaged optics (CPO), near‑package optics (NPO) and emerging chip‑to‑chip optical interconnects, and is expected to begin contributing revenue from Q4 2026. Coherent says its data‑center manufacturing has shipped over 300 million indium phosphide (InP) lasers and more than 1 billion InP and gallium arsenide (GaAs) photodetectors, and it is expanding 6‑inch InP and specialty fiber capacity to support PhotonLink production ramp.

The dollar index DXY briefly rose to a seven-week high of 100.667 as oil volatility, the dollar's safe-haven appeal and expectations of further Fed hikes after last week's 25bp increase supported the currency. Later, KYODO reported Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the U.S. took measures to reduce military pressure; oil prices fell and DXY briefly slid about 20bps, erasing earlier gains.