*South Korea GDP misses expectations* South Korea’s economy expanded 1.2% year on year in the fourth quarter, according to advance figures. That missed out on the 1.4% expected by a Reuters poll. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/42IVxZN *China stocks lead gains*  Asia-Pacific stocks were mixed on Thursday. China’s CSI 300 advanced roughly 1%, leading gains in the region, as authorities urged state-owned funds and insurers to buy shares. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/42phM6v *SK Hynix’s operating profit jumps* South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix posted a record operating profit of $8.08 trillion won ($5.6 billion) in the fourth quarter, a staggering 2,236% higher than in the same period last year. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4gahxjb *Diversify away from U.S. stocks: Morgan Stanley* Investors should invest in these assets instead of overconcentrating in U.S. stocks because of high valuations, according to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. ➡️ https://cnb.cx/4gbwly7 _Get the latest updates: https://bit.ly/CNBCiWhatsApp_