# Asian Session Close: Mixed Performance as Nvidia Faces Regulatory Scrutiny and KOSPI Hits Record High
**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 | 3860.50 | -0.26 |
| Nikkei 225 | 44768.12 | 0.89 |
| Hang Seng Index | 26446.56 | 0.22 |
| Shenzhen Component | 13005.77 | 0.63 |
| KOSPI | 3407.31 | 0.35 |
| S&P/ASX 200 | 8853.00 | -0.13 |
| NIFTY 50 | 25069.20 | -0.18 |
| Straits Times Index | 4338.42 | -0.13 |
| S&P/NZX 50 | 13208.31 | -0.15 |
| Thailand SET Index | 1299.78 | 0.48 |
| TAIEX | 25357.16 | -0.46 |
## Market Commentary at Asian Session Close
In today’s Asian market session, notable developments emerged from China, South Korea, and the broader region, reflecting a mix of geopolitical tensions and economic indicators that influenced market sentiment.
**China:** The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced an investigation into Nvidia for alleged anti-monopoly violations linked to its acquisition of Mellanox Technologies. This move is seen as a response to ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry, contributing to a cautious market atmosphere. Additionally, China launched an anti-dumping probe into U.S. analogue integrated circuit chips, asserting that these imports have suppressed domestic prices. Economic data revealed a deepening slowdown, with August retail sales growth at 3.4%, below expectations, further heightening concerns over China’s economic health. Consequently, the Shanghai Composite closed down 0.26% at 3860.50.
**South Korea:** The KOSPI index reached a historic high of 3,407.31, buoyed by a global tech rally and the government’s decision to scrap a controversial capital gains tax plan. This surge reflects growing investor confidence, particularly in technology stocks, following positive trends in the U.S. market. The KOSPI’s rise was also supported by comments from Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol regarding economic stability. The index ended the session up 0.35%. Meanwhile, discussions on a potential currency swap with the U.S. aimed at facilitating a $350 billion investment were reported, signaling proactive measures to stabilize the won amidst trade negotiations.
**Japan:** The Nikkei 225 rose by 0.89% to close at 44,768.12, reflecting positive investor sentiment amid broader regional gains. The finance meeting between Korea and Japan underscored ongoing collaboration in addressing global economic issues, contributing to a stable outlook for both markets.
**Hong Kong:** Anticipation builds ahead of Chief Executive John Lee’s policy address on September 17, as the city grapples with evolving economic challenges. The Hang Seng Index closed up 0.22% at 26,446.56.
**Regional Developments:** Rumors of a coup in the Philippines led to heightened military alertness ahead of anti-corruption protests, potentially impacting market stability in the region.
**Commodities and Currencies:** Oil prices remained under pressure, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic concerns. The Asian currencies showed mixed performance against the U.S. dollar, with the won gaining slightly due to KOSPI’s strength.
**Cryptocurrency:** The
## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance
At the close of the Asian session, the FX market exhibited mixed performance. The USD/JPY declined by 0.30%, reflecting a bearish sentiment towards the yen. The USD/CNY and USD/SGD also showed slight decreases of 0.04% and 0.09%, respectively. Conversely, the AUD/USD rose by 0.20%, indicating a modest recovery for the Australian dollar. The USD/NZD and USD/INR experienced minor declines of 0.10% and 0.12%. In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin fell by 0.48% to $114,819, while Ethereum saw a more significant drop of 1.89% to $4,521, suggesting a cautious market sentiment among
**FX Pairs**
| Currency Pair | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | 147.27 | -0.30 |
| USD/CNY | 7.12 | -0.04 |
| USD/SGD | 1.28 | -0.09 |
| AUD/USD | 0.67 | 0.20 |
| USD/NZD | 1.68 | -0.10 |
| USD/INR | 88.14 | -0.12 |
**Cryptocurrencies**
| Crypto | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | 114819.01 | -0.48 |
| Ethereum | 4521.31 | -1.89 |
## 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-14 | 22:00 | 🇨🇳 | Medium | Fixed Asset Investment (YoY) (Aug) | 0.5% | 1.5% |
| 2025-09-14 | 22:00 | 🇨🇳 | Medium | Industrial Production (YoY) (Aug) | 5.2% | 5.7% |
| 2025-09-14 | 22:00 | 🇨🇳 | Medium | Chinese Industrial Production YTD (YoY) (Aug) | 6.2% | |
| 2025-09-14 | 22:00 | 🇨🇳 | Medium | Chinese Unemployment Rate (Aug) | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| 2025-09-14 | 22:00 | 🇨🇳 | Medium | NBS Press Conference |
During the Asian session from 17:00 to 03:30 ET on September 14, 2025, several significant economic events from China impacted market sentiment and currency movements.
China’s Fixed Asset Investment for August reported a disappointing 0.5%, significantly below the forecast of 1.5%. Similarly, Industrial Production for the same month came in at 5.2%, underperforming against the expected 5.7%. The year-to-date Industrial Production growth was reported at 6.2%, with the unemployment rate slightly rising to 5.3%, above the anticipated 5.2%. These figures raised concerns about the strength of China’s economic recovery, leading to a depreciation of the Chinese Yuan (CNY) against major currencies.
The cumulative effect of these releases contributed to a bearish sentiment in the Asian markets, with investors reacting to the weaker-than-expected economic indicators. Consequently, the CNY weakened, reflecting heightened market anxiety regarding China’s economic outlook. The NBS press conference that followed did not provide any additional clarity, leaving investors wary as they processed the implications of the data.
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