Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region had a mixed showing on Thursday with Japan’s Nikkei (+4.6%) settling at a fresh record high while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (-1.4%) fell to its lowest level since May 2025.
Japan’s Nikkei: +4.6%,
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: -1.4%,
China’s Shanghai Composite: +0.2%,
India’s Sensex: +0.1%,
South Korea’s Kospi: +5.4%,
Australia’s ASX All Ordinaries: -0.7%.
Chip-related names were at the forefront of the overnight strength with SK Hynix, Samsung, and Kioxia leading the way after strong results from Micron.
Japan
April Leading Index 116.1 (expected 115.9; last 114.0) and Coincident Indicator 1.3% m/m (expected 1.1%; last 0.2%)
Bank of Japan policymaker Tamura said that the central bank needs to keep hiking rates every few months until reaching the neutral rate of about 2%.
Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi said that her government is forming a plan for Japan to become an asset management nation.
Thailand’s central bank left its policy rate at 1.00%.
Australia
May Employment Change 40,300 (expected 31,200; last -40,700),
May full employment change 5,200 (last -21,700),
May Unemployment Rate 4.4%, as expected (last 4.5%),
May Participation Rate 66.7% (expected 66.7%; last 66.6%)
Hong Kong
May trade deficit HKD44.2 bln (last deficit of HKD29.5 bln).
May Imports 42.0% m/m (last 44.4%) and Exports 40.8% m/m (last 42.9%)