Asian Session Closing Bell KOSPI Soars Past 3,500 While Retail Recovery Boosts Hong Kong Indices

# Asian Session Closing Bell: KOSPI Soars Past 3,500 While Retail Recovery Boosts Hong Kong Indices

**Note**: This analysis is generated at the close of the Asian session, focusing on end-of-day performance in Asian markets. Event times are in US Eastern Time.

The Asian session concluded with mixed performances across major indices, reflecting varied market sentiment. Shanghai Composite led gains, while TAIEX lagged, driven by regional economic data and global cues.

## Asian Indices Performance at Close

## Market Commentary at Asian Session Close

At the close of the Asian trading session, major indices exhibited positive momentum, driven by various regional developments and investor sentiment.

**Japan**: The Nikkei 225 finished up 0.87% at 44,936.73, buoyed by optimism surrounding potential leadership changes within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi emerged as a favorite among party supporters, hinting at potential economic policy shifts that could affect market dynamics.

**China**: The Shanghai Composite rose 0.52% to 3,882.78, while the Shenzhen Component increased by 0.35% to 13,526.51. The healthcare and biotech sectors gained attention as eleven companies filed for IPOs in Hong Kong, signaling a robust investment climate. However, analysts remain cautious, noting that while easing property curbs in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen could stabilize the housing market, a quick recovery in consumer sentiment is not guaranteed.

**Hong Kong**: The Hang Seng Index surged 1.61% to 27,287.12, supported by a 3.8% year-on-year rise in retail sales for August, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. The retail sector’s recovery is attributed to a tourism boost, enhancing consumer sentiment.

**South Korea**: The KOSPI hit a historic milestone, closing at 3,549.21, a remarkable 2.70% increase. This rally was fueled by strong foreign capital inflows, particularly in the tech sector, as investors reacted positively to South Korea’s advancements in artificial intelligence. Late-session volatility saw the index surpass the 3,500-point threshold, indicating robust investor confidence.

**Singapore**: The Straits Times Index climbed 1.67% to 4,395.21, supported by a partnership between Singlife and Fullerton Fund Management aimed at enhancing wealth management solutions. This collaboration reflects the growing emphasis on financial resilience amid evolving market conditions.

**Commodities and Currencies**: Copper prices surged to a one-year high, driven by supply disruptions and expectations of lower interest rates boosting demand. The regional currencies showed stability, with the Singapore dollar maintaining its strength against major currencies.

**Crypto Market**: The cryptocurrency sector remained relatively stable, with investor sentiment gradually improving as traditional finance and digital assets continue to converge, particularly in Asia.

Overall, the Asian markets closed on a positive note, with strong performances across major indices, driven

## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance

At the close of the Asian session, commodities exhibited mixed performance. Gold advanced modestly, rising 0.25% to $3,905.70, reflecting a slight increase in safe-haven demand amid ongoing market uncertainties. Conversely, crude oil declined by 0.39% to $61.53, pressured by concerns over demand amid potential economic slowdown. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin experienced a minor uptick of 0.12%, reaching $118,773.73, while Ethereum outperformed with a notable increase of 0.83% to $4,385.85, buoyed by positive sentiment surrounding decentralized finance. Overall, market sentiment remains cautious, influenced by broader economic conditions.

**Commodities**

**Cryptocurrencies**

## Economic Events During Asian Session

The following table lists medium to high-importance economic events from Asian countries that occurred during the Asian session (yesterday 17:00 to today 03:30 ET), impacting market close.

During the Asian session from 17:00 on October 1 to 03:30 on October 2, 2025, notable economic events influenced market sentiment and currency movements.

At 20:30 ET, the au Jibun Bank Services PMI for September was released, with expectations set at 53.0. This figure, indicating the health of the services sector, is crucial for assessing overall economic momentum in Japan. However, the actual result was not disclosed, leaving the market awaiting further clarity on the economic outlook.

Later, at 23:35 ET, the 10-Year JGB Auction yielded a return of 1.635%. This result, while within a reasonable range, may have implications for Japanese government bond attractiveness and broader interest rate expectations.

In response to these events, the Japanese yen (JPY) showed slight volatility but ultimately closed with minimal movement against major currencies, reflecting investor caution amid uncertain economic signals. Overall, the market remained focused on upcoming indicators that could provide clearer guidance on Japan’s economic trajectory.

## What to Watch Next

– Follow-through from today’s regional macro data and policy announcements.
– Company earnings or updates impacting large-cap indices.
– Overnight cues from US and European market sessions.
– Early indications from China and Hong Kong markets at tomorrow’s open.
– Currency trends in USD/JPY and USD/CNY influencing equities.
– Geopolitical developments affecting market sentiment.