Shanghai Composite Led Gains, TAIEX Lagged

# Asian Session Close: Mixed Performance Amid Trade News and Economic Outlooks

**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 (Date)**

The Asian markets experienced mixed sentiments at the close of today’s session, influenced by various regional developments and global economic indicators.

**China**
The Shanghai Composite Index ended slightly down by 0.18% at 3,821.83, reflecting concerns over Germany’s significant trade deficit with China, which surged 143% this year. This shift in trade dynamics, particularly the rise in Chinese hybrid vehicle exports to Europe, highlights changing industrial fortunes. Meanwhile, reports of potential orders of Boeing jets from China, following trade negotiations with the U.S., added a layer of optimism but did not significantly sway market performance.

**Japan**
The Nikkei 225 saw a positive close, rising 0.99% to 45,493.66, buoyed by overall regional gains and investor confidence. The Japanese market remains resilient amidst ongoing trade discussions and a stable economic outlook.

**Hong Kong**
The Hang Seng Index fell by 0.70% to 26,159.12, as local economic challenges persist, including scrutiny over Bithumb’s order book sharing with an Australian exchange, raising regulatory concerns. The impending leadership change at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, with Bernard Chan set to take over, also reflects shifting priorities in addressing financial crises in cultural sectors.

**South Korea**
The KOSPI closed up by 0.51% at 3,486.19, supported by a favorable OECD growth outlook, maintaining a 1% growth forecast for 2025. However, uncertainties linger due to regulatory delays affecting brokerages, potentially stalling innovation in financial services. The spotlight on cryptocurrency was also evident with significant participation from the Trump family at Korea Blockchain Week, generating buzz in the local crypto market.

**Singapore and Malaysia**
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index rose slightly by 0.12% to 4,302.67, amid softer-than-expected core inflation data, indicating potential for economic stability. Conversely, Malaysia faces adverse weather conditions as La Nina and the monsoon season converge, raising concerns about potential economic impacts from severe storms.

**India**
The NIFTY 50 index edged down by 0.13% to 25,169.50, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amidst broader market fluctuations.

**Taiwan**
Taiwan’s TAIEX surged 1.42% to 26,247.37, marking a record high, likely driven by favorable regional trading conditions and

## FX, Commodities, and Crypto Performance

At the close of the Asian session, FX pairs exhibited mixed performance. The USD/JPY and USD/CNY declined slightly, reflecting a modest bearish sentiment, while USD/SGD and AUD/USD showed gains, indicating some resilience in these currencies. Notably, the USD/INR rose significantly, suggesting increased demand for the Indian Rupee. In commodities, gold advanced by 1.18%, driven by safe-haven buying, while crude oil gained 0.72%, reflecting steady demand. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin edged up by 0.23%, maintaining bullish momentum, whereas Ethereum saw a minor decline of 0.15%, indicating a cautious sentiment among investors.

**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.

During the Asian session from September 22, 2025, significant economic events were observed, particularly in Japan. The au Jibun Bank Services PMI for September was released at 20:30 US Eastern Time. While the actual figures have not been disclosed, this index is crucial as it reflects the health of the services sector, which is a key component of Japan’s economy. Market participants closely monitor this data for indications of economic expansion or contraction.

As the session progressed, the Japanese yen (JPY) showed volatility in response to the PMI release, with traders reacting to expectations surrounding the services sector’s performance. Currency movements indicated a slight depreciation of the JPY against major currencies, reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.

In other Asian markets, currencies remained relatively stable, with the Australian dollar (AUD) and the Chinese yuan (CNY) holding steady amid ongoing trade discussions and geopolitical considerations. Overall, the market sentiment was mixed, with participants awaiting further economic indicators that could influence monetary policy decisions in the region. The close of the session saw the JPY under pressure, while other Asian currencies maintained their positions.

## 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.