CHENNAI: Asian markets traded mixed in mid-morning deals on Thursday, October 9, as strong gains in Japan and mainland China were offset by mild weakness in Hong Kong and some Southeast Asian indices. Investors across the region remained cautious, weighing global interest rate cues and geopolitical developments.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 led regional gains, rising over 600 points on the back of a rally in technology and AI-related stocks. Positive earnings expectations and a weaker yen supported exporter sentiment. Mainland Chinese shares also advanced, with the Shanghai Composite climbing more than 1 percent as investors returned from the Golden Week holidays. Market participants were seen buying selectively in state-owned enterprises and consumer-focused sectors.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped around 0.1 percent after an early rise, as investors took profit in property and financial stocks. Other Asian indices, including those in South Korea and Taiwan, traded largely flat, while Australia’s ASX drifted lower amid weakness in mining shares.
The overall tone in Asia was supported by easing geopolitical tensions following reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which pushed oil prices lower and improved risk appetite. However, traders remained cautious ahead of US inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy cues, which could influence global rate expectations.
Market analysts noted that Asian equities are likely to stay range-bound in the short term, with gains in tech and China offset by broader caution across financial and commodity-linked sectors. The focus now shifts to upcoming corporate earnings and macroeconomic data for fresh market direction.
