Asian equity markets opened Thursday morning, February 12, with a broadly positive tone, reflecting strengthening investor confidence and a renewed rotation into risk assets. The early session shows coordinated gains across major Asia-Pacific markets, supported by stabilizing currency conditions, improved global macro sentiment, and continued appetite for equities following recent volatility in international financial markets.

South Korea Leads as Regional Benchmarks Push Higher

South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index emerged as the clear regional outperformer, rising 1.77% in early trading to 5,449.33, signaling strong domestic and foreign investor participation. The rally reflects renewed confidence in Korean equities, particularly across export-oriented sectors, technology-linked names, and cyclical industries that benefit from improving global demand expectations. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 advanced 0.48% to 57,924.83, supported by a weaker yen environment and stable external conditions that continue to favor exporters and multinational corporations. The Japanese Yen Index itself rose 0.73% to 65.25, indicating more orderly currency trading and reduced volatility, a key factor supporting equity inflows. Together, these moves reflect a coordinated strengthening of risk sentiment across North Asia as investors selectively rebuild equity exposure.

Australia and China Signal Stabilization in Regional Risk Trends

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.57% to 9,066.40, with the Australian Dollar Index also rising 0.69% to 71.24, pointing to improving confidence in commodity-linked assets and global growth expectations. The alignment between currency strength and equity gains suggests healthier capital flows into Australian markets, particularly in financials, energy, and materials. In China, the SSE Composite Index posted a modest gain of 0.09% to 4,131.98, reflecting a more cautious but stable tone. While Chinese equities continue to face structural challenges, the positive move in early trade signals improving sentiment and selective buying interest, particularly in sectors linked to domestic consumption and infrastructure. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.31% to 27,266.38, reinforcing the view that regional risk appetite is gradually stabilizing across both developed and emerging Asia.

India Mixed, Taiwan Closed as Regional Liquidity Remains Selective

India’s S&P BSE SENSEX edged slightly lower, slipping 0.05% to 84,233.64, reflecting profit-taking after recent gains and a more selective approach to risk among investors. The minor decline does not indicate structural weakness but rather tactical repositioning in a market that has seen strong performance over recent sessions. Importantly, the Taiwan Stock Exchange is closed today due to a local holiday, reducing overall regional trading volumes and slightly limiting liquidity flows across Asia. This holiday effect may contribute to more moderate price action in neighboring markets, as institutional investors adjust positioning with one of Asia’s major technology hubs temporarily offline.

Outlook: What Investors Should Monitor Next

Looking ahead, investors will remain focused on macroeconomic signals, currency stability, and global capital flows as key drivers of Asian market direction. The sustainability of today’s gains will depend on continued improvement in global risk sentiment, stability in foreign exchange markets, and clarity around monetary policy expectations in major economies. Opportunities may emerge in export-driven sectors, financials, and cyclicals if global growth expectations continue to improve, while risks remain tied to external shocks, geopolitical developments, and shifts in global liquidity conditions. With regional markets showing signs of stabilization and renewed confidence, the coming sessions will be critical in determining whether this morning’s rally develops into a broader trend or remains a short-term recovery move within a still-volatile global market environment.