Asian markets closed May 13, 2026, broadly higher, as investor sentiment improved following the previous session’s pullback. Strong gains in South Korea and Japan helped lift regional equities, signaling renewed confidence in growth-oriented sectors across Asia.
The session reflected a return to risk-on positioning, particularly in technology-driven markets.

South Korea Leads Regional Recovery

South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index surged 2.63% to 7,844.01, recovering strongly after the previous session’s decline. The rebound highlights continued investor confidence in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-linked sectors, which remain major drivers of Korea’s market performance.
The strong recovery suggests that recent weakness was largely tied to short-term profit-taking rather than a deeper shift in sentiment.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced 0.84% to 63,272.11, extending its rally and reinforcing momentum above the 63,000 threshold. The continued climb reflects sustained investor demand for Japanese equities, particularly in export-oriented and technology sectors.

China and Hong Kong Post Moderate Gains

China’s SSE Composite Index rose 0.67% to 4,242.57, signaling improving confidence in mainland markets and extending recent stability.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.15% to 26,388.44, reflecting cautious but positive sentiment in the broader Chinese market environment.
India’s S&P BSE Sensex also returned to positive territory, gaining 0.07% to 74,612.86 after recent declines.
The gains across Asia indicate broad participation in the rebound, although momentum varied between markets.

Australia Lags as Currency Markets Remain Stable

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.46% to 8,630.40, making it the only major market in negative territory. The decline suggests continued softness in commodity-linked sectors and cautious positioning among investors.
Currency markets remained relatively stable. The Australian Dollar Index fell 0.12% to 72.40, while the Japanese Yen Index declined 0.25% to 63.45.
The modest weakness in both currencies indicates that investors remain focused on equities rather than defensive positioning.

Outlook

Looking ahead, investors will monitor whether South Korea can continue advancing toward the 8,000 level and whether Japan can sustain momentum above 63,000.
China’s improving stability and moderate gains in Hong Kong may help support broader regional sentiment, while Australia’s continued weakness could remain a point of concern.
Overall, Asia’s markets appear to have regained upward momentum after a brief period of consolidation. However, with valuations rising rapidly in several markets, investors are likely to remain alert to potential volatility and profit-taking in the sessions ahead.