Asian markets faced broad selling pressure on October 8, 2026, with every reported equity benchmark finishing lower. South Korea led the decline, while Japan, Hong Kong and India each fell more than 1.4%. The session represented a significant deterioration from the mixed conditions seen on October 7.

KOSPI Leads Regional Selloff

The KOSPI Composite Index was the weakest major benchmark, falling 2.62% to 6,625.93. The decline extended the previous session’s 1.98% loss and pushed the index further below the 7,000 level.

The two-day retreat has placed South Korean equities under significant pressure, with the benchmark now considerably below the 6,900 threshold that had held earlier in the week. The latest move makes stabilization around 6,600 an important level for the next trading sessions.

Japan and Hong Kong Extend Declines

The Nikkei 225 fell 1.42% to 69,042.11, slipping back below 70,000 after the benchmark had briefly moved above that level earlier in the week. The decline followed a 0.92% retreat on October 7, creating two consecutive sessions of losses.

The Hang Seng also dropped sharply, declining 1.43% to 23,785.79. The index moved below 24,000, reversing the recovery seen at the beginning of the week and bringing the benchmark back toward the lower end of its recent trading range.

India and Australia Under Pressure

The S&P BSE SENSEX declined 1.44% to 71,593.24, giving back much of its recent recovery above 73,000. The index had gained on October 7 but reversed course sharply in the latest session.

Australia also weakened, with the S&P/ASX 200 falling 0.77% to 8,660.90. The Australian Dollar Currency Index declined 0.27% to 69.63, extending the divergence between the region’s equity and currency markets.

China Joins the Decline

The SSE Composite Index fell 0.79% to 3,811.90, slipping closer to the 3,800 level. The decline followed several sessions in which mainland Chinese equities had remained relatively stable while other regional markets experienced greater volatility.

The latest move placed the SSE Composite alongside the broader regional selloff, although its decline remained smaller than those recorded in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and India.

Currency Markets Remain Relatively Stable

The PHLX Yen was the only reported indicator to finish higher, edging up 0.06% to 63.26. The modest gain came as Japanese equities declined sharply, suggesting limited currency movement despite the broader risk-off tone.

The Australian Dollar Currency Index moved in the opposite direction, falling 0.27% to 69.63. Overall, currency moves remained comparatively contained relative to the magnitude of the equity-market declines.

Outlook

The October 8 session leaves Asian markets facing a significantly more defensive backdrop. The KOSPI has fallen to 6,625.93, the Nikkei is back below 70,000, the Hang Seng has dropped below 24,000 and the Sensex has retreated toward 71,500. The SSE Composite is also approaching 3,800, while the ASX 200 has slipped below 8,700. Investors will be watching closely for stabilization at these levels and for signs that the sharp regional selloff is beginning to lose momentum.