# Asian Market Close: Hong Kong’s Wealth Hub Status Strengthens Amid Mixed Index Performance
**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 | 3882.78 | 0.52 |
| Nikkei 225 | 45769.50 | 1.85 |
| Hang Seng Index | 27140.92 | -0.54 |
| Shenzhen Component | 13526.51 | 0.35 |
| KOSPI | 3549.21 | 2.70 |
| S&P/ASX 200 | 8987.40 | 0.46 |
| Straits Times Index | 4411.95 | 0.38 |
| S&P/NZX 50 | 13514.09 | 0.46 |
| Thailand SET Index | 1293.61 | 0.41 |
| FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI | 1635.06 | -0.17 |
| TAIEX | 26761.06 | 1.45 |
## Market Commentary at Asian Session Close
At the close of the Asian trading session on Friday, notable developments emerged across various markets, driven by geopolitical tensions, economic indicators, and sector-specific news.
**China and Hong Kong:**
The Hang Seng Index ended the session down 0.54% at 27,140.92, reflecting investor caution amid ongoing capital control concerns and geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Japan’s maritime disputes with China. However, Hong Kong’s role as a wealth management hub was highlighted at a forum, where panellists emphasized its strategic position as a gateway to mainland China. The property market in Hong Kong showed signs of recovery, with a reported 6.3% increase in transaction volume in September, supported by easing monetary policies and a buoyant stock market.
In contrast, the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.52% to 3,882.78, buoyed by foreign investor interest despite lingering concerns over capital controls. The Shenzhen Component also gained 0.35%, indicating a mixed sentiment among investors regarding China’s economic policies.
**Japan:**
The Nikkei 225 posted a solid gain of 1.85%, closing at 45,769.50, as investors reacted positively to economic data suggesting robust growth. However, geopolitical tensions with China over maritime boundaries highlighted ongoing risks that could impact market sentiment.
**South Korea:**
The KOSPI surged 2.70% to 3,549.21, driven by strong domestic demand and a recovering real estate market. Reports indicated a significant increase in the market capitalization of Seoul apartments, which rose nearly 10% this year, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
**Singapore:**
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index edged up 0.38% to 4,411.95, buoyed by positive developments in the private equity sector and the growing interest in digital assets showcased at the TOKEN2049 event. Multinational corporations in Singapore are adapting to a weakening dollar, which has created a divide in the performance of domestic versus international-focused companies.
**Commodities and Currencies:**
Late-session volatility was observed in commodity markets, with mixed signals influencing prices. The dollar’s continued weakness impacted commodity pricing, while Bitcoin gained attention at TOKEN2049, with new developments in tokenization potentially reshaping the market landscape.
In summary, the close of the Asian session reflected a complex interplay of local and regional dynamics, with strong performances in Japan and South Korea contrasting with challenges faced by Hong Kong and broader concerns in China.
## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance
At the close of the Asian session, the FX market exhibited mixed performance. The USD/JPY and USD/CNY pairs showed slight gains of 0.07% and 0.02%, respectively, reflecting a stable sentiment. The AUD/USD pair experienced a modest rise of 0.12%, while the USD/NZD declined by 0.25%, indicating varied investor sentiment across currencies. In commodities, gold advanced by 0.52%, signaling safe-haven demand, while crude oil saw a minor increase of 0.18%. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin experienced a slight decline of 0.28%, contrasting with Ethereum’s modest gain of 0.09%, reflecting cautious market sentiment.
**FX Pairs**
| Currency Pair | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | 147.30 | 0.07 |
| USD/CNY | 7.12 | 0.02 |
| USD/SGD | 1.29 | 0.03 |
| AUD/USD | 0.66 | 0.12 |
| USD/NZD | 1.71 | -0.25 |
| USD/INR | 88.76 | 0.10 |
**Commodities**
| Commodity | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold December | 3888.40 | 0.52 |
| Crude Oil December | 60.56 | 0.18 |
**Cryptocurrencies**
| Crypto | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | 120271.73 | -0.28 |
| Ethereum | 4491.25 | 0.09 |
## 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-02 | 20:30 | 🇯🇵 | Medium | au Jibun Bank Services PMI (Sep) | 53.3 | 53.0 |
On October 2, 2025, the au Jibun Bank Services PMI for Japan was released at 20:30 ET, reporting a figure of 53.3, exceeding the forecast of 53.0. This positive reading indicates a slight expansion in the services sector, which may bolster investor confidence in the Japanese economy. As a result, the Japanese yen (JPY) experienced a modest appreciation against major currencies during the Asian session.
Market participants reacted positively to the data, leading to a strengthened sentiment towards Japanese equities and a potential increase in consumer spending forecasts. The JPY’s appreciation was evident as it gained against the US dollar, reflecting the market’s optimism about Japan’s economic resilience.
Overall, the better-than-expected PMI data provided a supportive backdrop for the JPY, contributing to a stable close for Japanese stocks. This event highlights the ongoing recovery in Japan’s services sector, which could influence future monetary policy considerations by the Bank of Japan. The positive momentum in the JPY may also have spillover effects on regional currencies, particularly those closely tied to Japan’s economic performance.
