# Asian Markets Close Lower Amid Trade Tensions and Regulatory Shifts
**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
| Index | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Composite | 3828.11 | -0.65 |
| Nikkei 225 | 45354.99 | -0.87 |
| Hang Seng Index | 26128.20 | -1.35 |
| Shenzhen Component | 13209.00 | -1.76 |
| KOSPI | 3386.05 | -2.45 |
| S&P/ASX 200 | 8787.70 | 0.17 |
| NIFTY 50 | 24654.70 | -0.95 |
| Straits Times Index | 4265.98 | -0.18 |
| S&P/NZX 50 | 13111.73 | -0.32 |
| Thailand SET Index | 1278.74 | -0.74 |
| FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI | 1609.05 | 0.66 |
| TAIEX | 25580.32 | -1.70 |
## Market Commentary at Asian Session Close
**Asian Market Summary – Close of Session**
As the Asian trading session concluded, major indices exhibited a mixed performance, reflecting a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, trade policy developments, and economic uncertainties across the region.
**China**: The Shanghai Composite fell by 0.65% to 3,828.11, while the Shenzhen Component dropped by 1.76% to 13,208.99. Investors reacted to Beijing’s ongoing trade protection measures, including a renewed focus on anti-dumping investigations against foreign entities, particularly from the EU. This sentiment was compounded by the announcement of a new Renminbi Business Facility in Hong Kong aimed at bolstering trade finance. However, concerns about the economic impact of these protective measures weighed heavily on market sentiment.
**Hong Kong**: The Hang Seng Index closed down 1.35% at 26,128.20, reflecting broader regional declines. The market was further pressured by the economic ramifications of Super Typhoon Ragasa, which experts predict could lead to substantial losses, although the overall impact may be mitigated by increased remote work.
**Japan**: The Nikkei 225 also faced downward pressure, closing down 0.87% at 45,354.99. This decline came amid a broader regional trend and concerns over potential trade disruptions.
**South Korea**: The KOSPI experienced a notable decline of 2.45%, ending at 3,386.05. This drop was influenced by rising anxieties regarding job security amid AI transformations and economic downturns, as highlighted by a recent survey indicating widespread uncertainty among workers.
**India**: The NIFTY 50 fell by 0.95% to 24,654.70, reflecting investor caution amid external economic pressures and domestic challenges.
**Australia and Southeast Asia**: In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 managed a slight gain of 0.17% to 8,787.70, buoyed by sector-specific performances. The Straits Times Index in Singapore also saw a modest decline of 0.18%, closing at 4,265.98. Notably, Malaysia’s FTSE Bursa KLCI rose by 0.66%, indicating resilience in that market.
**Cryptocurrency and Commodities**: The crypto market remained relatively stable, with fluctuations in major currencies but no significant late-session volatility. Commodities were influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the energy sector.
Overall, market sentiment in
## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance
At the close of the Asian session, the USD/JPY pair exhibited slight upward momentum, rising 0.12%, while the USD/CNY and USD/SGD also recorded modest gains. Conversely, the AUD/USD declined by 0.32%, reflecting bearish sentiment, and the USD/INR experienced a minor decrease. In commodities, gold edged up 0.14%, indicating a stable demand, whereas crude oil fell by 0.14%, suggesting potential concerns over supply or demand dynamics. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin saw a slight dip of 0.03%, while Ethereum gained 0.51%, reflecting a mixed sentiment among investors. Overall, market sentiment remained cautious.
**FX Pairs**
| Currency Pair | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | 149.93 | 0.12 |
| USD/CNY | 7.14 | 0.03 |
| USD/SGD | 1.29 | 0.03 |
| AUD/USD | 0.65 | -0.32 |
| USD/NZD | 1.74 | 0.24 |
| USD/INR | 88.68 | -0.04 |
**Commodities**
| Commodity | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold December | 3776.30 | 0.14 |
| Crude Oil December | 64.87 | -0.14 |
**Cryptocurrencies**
| Crypto | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | 108992.77 | -0.03 |
| Ethereum | 3893.01 | 0.51 |
## 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.
| Date | Time | Cur | Imp | Event | Actual | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-25 | 19:30 | 🇯🇵 | Medium | Tokyo Core CPI (YoY) (Sep) | 2.5% | 2.8% |
On September 25, 2025, the Tokyo Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September was released, showing a year-over-year increase of 2.5%, falling short of the forecasted 2.8%. This underperformance raised concerns about inflationary pressures in Japan, indicating that the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) efforts to achieve its inflation target may be faltering. As a result, the Japanese yen (JPY) experienced a decline against major currencies, reflecting market apprehension regarding the BoJ’s monetary policy stance and the potential for prolonged low interest rates.
At the close of the Asian session, the JPY weakened, contributing to a slight increase in the USD/JPY exchange rate. The market reaction was characterized by heightened volatility, as traders reassessed their positions based on the inflation data. Overall, the Tokyo Core CPI release had a notable impact on market sentiment, reinforcing the perception that Japan’s economic recovery may be stalling, which could lead to ongoing challenges for the yen and influence future monetary policy decisions by the BoJ.
