Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.45% to 8,505.30, making it the weakest-performing major market in the region. The decline reflects continued pressure on commodity-linked sectors and growing caution among investors.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.11% to 25,675.18, extending recent weakness and signaling ongoing pressure in Greater China markets.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 also declined 0.97% to 60,815.95, continuing its retreat from recent highs above 63,000. The pullback suggests investors remain cautious following the strong rally seen earlier this month.

China’s SSE Composite Index edged down 0.09% to 4,131.53, indicating relative stability compared with broader regional declines.

South Korea and India Show Relative Resilience

Despite the broader weakness, South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index managed a modest gain of 0.31% to 7,516.04.

The rebound suggests some stabilization following last week’s sharp 6% selloff, though volatility in Korean equities remains elevated.

India’s S&P BSE Sensex also moved slightly higher, gaining 0.11% to 75,319.68, indicating steady domestic support despite mixed regional conditions.

The limited gains in both markets suggest investors are selectively returning to equities while remaining cautious overall.

Currency Markets Reflect Defensive Positioning

Currency markets leaned defensive during the session.

The Australian Dollar Index declined 1.02% to 71.47, reflecting weaker appetite for risk-sensitive assets and aligning with the sharp decline in Australian equities.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen Index fell 0.26% to 62.99, indicating only moderate demand for safe-haven positioning despite broader market weakness.

The softer Australian dollar highlights continued investor caution toward cyclical and commodity-driven assets.

Indonesia Market Remains Closed

Regional trading activity remained partially reduced as Indonesia’s Jakarta Stock Exchange stayed closed for Ascension Day.

The closure limited Southeast Asian participation but had minimal impact on the broader regional direction.

Outlook

Looking ahead, investors will monitor whether Asia’s markets can stabilize after recent volatility or whether weakness in Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia deepens further.

South Korea’s ability to hold above 7,500 will remain a key focus after last week’s heavy losses, while Japan’s performance near the 60,000 level may influence broader regional sentiment.

For now, Asia remains in a cautious and uneven trading environment, with investors balancing selective buying opportunities against concerns over valuation pressure and rising volatility.