Asian Session Closing Bell, Mixed Performance as Markets React to US Fed Concerns Amid Local Developments

# Asian Session Close: Mixed Performance as Markets React to US Fed Concerns Amid Local Developments

**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

**Asian Market Summary – Close of Session (September 24, 2023)**

**Japan:** The Nikkei 225 closed up 0.30% at 45,630.31, reflecting a modest recovery amid ongoing geopolitical concerns. The market was relatively stable despite recent social unrest in Tokyo, where three individuals were attacked with tear gas, prompting a police investigation. This incident did not significantly impact market sentiment.

**China:** The Shanghai Composite rose 0.83% to 3,853.64, buoyed by positive reports on China’s visa-free entry policy enhancing the global influence of cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The Shenzhen Component saw a stronger gain of 1.80%, closing at 13,356.14, as investor sentiment was bolstered by increasing tourist arrivals and improved transport links. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong surged 1.37% to 26,518.65, driven by a revival in office leasing demand linked to a boom in IPOs, particularly from mainland Chinese law firms.

**South Korea:** The KOSPI experienced a slight decline of 0.40%, ending at 3,472.14. Despite recent record highs, concerns were raised about the concentration of gains among major chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix, leading to skepticism about broader investor benefits. Additionally, regional banks reported rising delinquency rates, signaling economic polarization, which could weigh on future market performance.

**India:** The NIFTY 50 closed down 0.45% at 25,056.90, reflecting a cautious outlook amid global economic uncertainties. The Indian market remains sensitive to external factors, with regional developments impacting investor confidence.

**Australia:** The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.92% to 8,764.50, influenced by declines in commodity prices and mixed signals from global markets. The Australian market is also facing headwinds from rising interest rates and inflationary pressures.

**Singapore & Malaysia:** The Straits Times Index edged down 0.29% to 4,290.40, while the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI decreased by 0.24% to 1,599.66. Both markets reflected the cautious sentiment prevailing across the region.

**Commodities and Currencies:** Commodities faced pressure with fluctuations in oil prices, impacting regional economies reliant on energy exports. The Australian dollar weakened against major currencies, reflecting broader market concerns.

**Cryptocurrency:** The crypto

## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance

At the close of the Asian session, the FX market displayed mixed movements. The USD/JPY rose by 0.55%, reflecting a stronger dollar amid market optimism. Other pairs, such as USD/CNY and USD/SGD, also gained, while the USD/INR dipped slightly by 0.10%. In commodities, crude oil advanced 0.96% on supply concerns, while gold fell 0.45%, indicating a slight retreat in safe-haven demand. In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin increased by 0.74%, and Ethereum followed with a 0.30% rise, suggesting a cautious bullish sentiment among investors. Overall, market sentiment appeared cautiously optimistic across the board.

**FX Pairs**

**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.

On September 23, 2025, key economic events from Japan influenced market sentiment during the Asian session. The au Jibun Bank Services PMI for September was released at 8:30 PM ET, coming in at 53.0, indicating continued expansion in the services sector. This positive reading likely contributed to a bullish sentiment towards the Japanese yen (JPY), as investors reacted favorably to signs of economic resilience.

Earlier, at 7:50 PM ET, the Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes were published, although specific details were not disclosed. Typically, such minutes provide insights into the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy stance and future economic outlook, which can impact market expectations and the JPY’s valuation.

As a result of these developments, the JPY appreciated against major currencies, reflecting increased confidence in Japan’s economic stability. Overall, the combination of a robust PMI reading and the anticipation surrounding the monetary policy minutes supported a stronger yen, leading to a positive close for JPY pairs in the forex market.

## 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.