Asian Markets Deliver a Mixed Recovery

Asian markets recorded a mixed performance on October 21, 2026, as South Korea led a rebound among selected equity benchmarks while China, Hong Kong and India remained under pressure. The KOSPI Composite Index posted the strongest gain in the session, recovering a substantial portion of the previous day’s decline.

The KOSPI climbed 3.29% to 5,735.66, gaining 182.92 points from its previous close of 5,552.74. The advance followed a 3.73% decline on October 20, highlighting the index’s sharp day-to-day volatility.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.85% to 64,621.24, recovering from the previous session’s 1.30% loss. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.16% to 8,831.30, extending a more modest pattern of movement.

The S&P BSE SENSEX edged down 0.19% to 73,709.69, limiting the breadth of the regional recovery.

South Korea Leads as Japan and Australia Advance

South Korea’s benchmark was the clear outperformer, with its 3.29% increase marking the strongest advance among the listed equity indices. The move brought the KOSPI closer to 5,800 after its sharp retreat the previous day.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 545.82 points to 64,621.24. Although the index moved higher, it remained below the 65,000 level, which provides a reference point for tracking its near-term direction.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 14.40 points to 8,831.30. The increase was comparatively modest, indicating a more measured recovery than the one recorded in South Korea.

India’s SENSEX declined 139.21 points to 73,709.69. The small decrease contrasted with the stronger gains in South Korea and Japan and followed the Indian benchmark’s 1.17% loss in the previous reported session.

China and Hong Kong Extend Their Declines

The SSE Composite Index fell 0.60% to 3,713.03, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.90% to 23,651.87. Both markets moved lower despite the rebound in several other regional benchmarks.

The Hang Seng recorded the largest decline among the listed equity indices, while the SSE Composite’s retreat followed a modest gain in the previous session. Their performance underscored the uneven nature of the regional market response.

Currency and Private Equity Indicators

The Australian Dollar Currency Index rose 0.33% to 70.02, while the PHLX Yen gained 0.21% to 63.22. Both indicators advanced, contrasting with the declines in several Asian equity markets.

APAC Private Equity fell 0.36% to 6,927.81, reversing part of its previous session’s near-flat performance. The decline was moderate compared with the movement in the KOSPI.

Outlook

The October 21 session highlighted a strong rebound in South Korea alongside more limited gains in Japan and Australia. However, continued weakness in China and Hong Kong suggests that the recovery remains uneven across the region. Investors may monitor whether the KOSPI can sustain its advance, whether Japan’s benchmark approaches 65,000 again, and whether the Hang Seng and SSE Composite stabilize after their latest declines.