Asian Session Closing Bell, Sony Financial Debuts Strongly Amid Mixed Performance in Major Indices

# Asian Session Close: Sony Financial Debuts Strongly Amid Mixed Performance in Major 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 FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI lagged, driven by regional economic data and global cues.

## Asian Indices Performance at Close

## Market Commentary at Asian Session Close

The Asian markets closed positively today, with notable movements across major indices, driven by a mix of corporate developments and regulatory changes.

**Japan:** The Nikkei 225 fell by 0.69% to close at 45,043.75, influenced by profit-taking following recent highs. However, Sony Financial Group Inc. made headlines with a strong debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, surging 36% initially before closing up 15%. This listing reflects investor optimism about Sony’s diversified business model and its potential growth in the financial sector.

**China:** The Shanghai Composite rose by 0.90% to 3,862.53, buoyed by a bullish sentiment in the market, particularly in technology and consumer sectors. The Shenzhen Component outperformed with a 2.05% increase, driven by speculation around the upcoming C919 jet deliveries and potential rate cuts by the central bank, as analysts from Goldman Sachs forecast monetary easing in Q4 due to slowing economic momentum. Additionally, the Hunan province’s crackdown on non-tax revenues aims to restore investor confidence, further enhancing market sentiment.

**Hong Kong:** The Hang Seng Index surged 1.89% to 26,622.88, supported by the announcement of a 2.2% increase in the minimum wage for domestic helpers, which may boost consumer spending. The government is also exploring cross-border travel schemes for yachts with Guangzhou, signaling a push towards enhancing tourism and luxury markets. Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in Hong Kong’s financial sector, which has seen a resurgence in IPO activities.

**South Korea:** The KOSPI rose by 1.33% to 3,431.21, with analysts from JPMorgan projecting the benchmark could reach 4,000 in the next 12 months, citing robust performance in technology and defense sectors. The Korea Exchange’s chairman also pledged to enhance market conditions for investors, aiming to resolve longstanding undervaluation issues.

**Thailand:** The SET Index increased by 0.73% to 1,288.07, as the new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined plans to address economic challenges and boost tourism, which may provide a short-term lift to market sentiment.

**Commodities and Currencies:** The Asian session saw mixed movements in commodities, with oil prices remaining stable amid geopolitical tensions. The Japanese yen weakened slightly against the dollar, reflecting broader market trends.

Overall, late-session volatility was minimal, with positive developments in

## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance

At the close of the Asian session, the foreign exchange market exhibited mixed movements. The USD/JPY declined by 0.53%, reflecting a bearish sentiment towards the yen, while the AUD/USD gained 0.26%, indicating a positive outlook for the Australian dollar. Other pairs, such as USD/CNY and USD/NZD, also saw slight declines. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced minor losses of 0.03% and 0.52%, respectively, suggesting a cautious sentiment among investors. Overall, the market displayed a blend of resilience in some currencies and cryptocurrencies, contrasted with weakness in others.

**FX Pairs**

**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 September 28, 2025, several significant economic indicators were released, impacting market sentiment and currency movements.

The Japanese yen (JPY) faced pressure following the release of Japan’s Industrial Production data, which showed a month-over-month decline of -0.7%, contrasting with expectations of stability. This negative surprise contributed to a weakening of the JPY against major currencies as investors reacted to the potential implications for Japan’s economic recovery.

In China, the PMI data released at 21:30 ET provided mixed signals. The Manufacturing PMI for September came in below the forecast at 49.6, indicating contraction in the manufacturing sector, while the Non-Manufacturing PMI slightly exceeded expectations at 50.3, suggesting moderate expansion in services. The Caixin Manufacturing PMI also indicated a slight contraction at 50.2, while the Caixin Services PMI showed growth at 52.3. These mixed results contributed to volatility in the Chinese yuan (CNY), with traders weighing the implications for overall economic stability.

At the close of the session, the JPY weakened, while the CNY exhibited a mixed performance, reflecting investor caution amid the uneven economic signals.

## 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.