Asian markets delivered a mixed session on September 23, 2026, with gains concentrated across Japan, South Korea and India while Hong Kong and mainland China moved lower. The session extended the recent recovery in several major benchmarks, although the divergence across regional markets highlighted continued unevenness in investor sentiment.

South Korea Extends Recovery Above 7,000

The KOSPI Composite Index was the strongest reported equity benchmark, rising 0.90% to 7,080.92. The gain extended the index’s recovery after it moved back above 7,000 earlier in the week.

The KOSPI has now strengthened beyond the 7,000 threshold, adding to the recovery from the sharp declines recorded earlier in September. The 7,000 level remains an important reference point as investors assess whether the latest advance can be sustained.

Japan Maintains Momentum

The Nikkei 225 gained 1.38% to 65,018.95, remaining above the 65,000 level. The benchmark’s advance continued the recent recovery and placed Japanese equities among the strongest performers in the supplied data.

The Japanese Yen Index, however, edged 0.06% lower to 63.54. The currency remained below 64.00, showing that the strength in Japanese equities continued alongside a relatively softer yen.

India Moves Higher

The S&P BSE SENSEX rose 0.40% to 74,828.25, bringing the benchmark closer to the 75,000 level. The gain followed its 0.26% decline on September 22 and marked another attempt to regain the psychological threshold.

The latest advance leaves the Sensex within relatively close range of 75,000, a level that could remain important for assessing the direction of India’s benchmark in the next sessions.

Hong Kong and China Retreat

The Hang Seng was the weakest reported equity benchmark, falling 1.01% to 24,834.12. The decline reversed its recent gains and pushed the index back below 25,000.

The SSE Composite Index also weakened, falling 0.39% to 3,936.52. The benchmark moved farther away from 4,000 after trading near 3,950 in the previous sessions.

The contrasting performance between Hong Kong and mainland China and the stronger gains in South Korea, Japan and India indicates that regional markets remain uneven despite the broader September recovery.

Australia Holds Nearly Flat

The S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.09% higher to 8,765.30, extending its gradual stabilization above 8,700. The move was modest but kept the benchmark in positive territory.

The Australian Dollar Index declined 0.07% to 71.16, mirroring the small decline in the Japanese Yen Index. Both reported currency indicators therefore remained relatively stable compared with the larger moves seen earlier in September.

Outlook

The September 23 session leaves Asian markets divided between continued strength in South Korea, Japan and India and renewed weakness in Hong Kong and mainland China. The KOSPI’s position above 7,000, the Nikkei’s hold above 65,000 and the Sensex’s approach toward 75,000 remain important near-term reference points. On the downside, the Hang Seng’s return below 25,000 and the SSE Composite’s retreat toward 3,900 will be key levels to monitor as investors assess whether the regional recovery can remain intact despite the latest divergence.