Asian markets delivered a mixed session on September 25, 2026, with Japan, South Korea and India advancing while mainland China and Hong Kong remained under pressure. The divergence followed the sharp declines recorded across several Asian benchmarks earlier in the week and left investors focused on whether the stronger markets can maintain their recovery while weaker benchmarks continue to search for support.

Japan Leads Regional Gains

The Nikkei 225 was the strongest reported equity benchmark, rising 1.30% to 66,364.20. The gain pushed the index further above 66,000 and extended its recovery after the benchmark had traded closer to 64,000 earlier in September.

The Japanese Yen Index moved in the opposite direction, declining 0.39% to 62.92. The currency index remained below 63.00, extending its recent weakness even as Japanese equities advanced. The divergence between the stock market and yen remains a notable feature of the latest regional trading pattern.

South Korea Holds Above 7,000

The KOSPI Composite Index gained 0.90% to 7,080.92, keeping the benchmark above the psychologically important 7,000 level. The advance extended the recovery from the sharp losses recorded earlier in September.

The KOSPI’s position above 7,000 provides an important reference point for the next sessions, particularly as other regional markets continue to show more mixed performance.

India Posts a Modest Recovery

The S&P BSE SENSEX rose 0.43% to 73,895.74, recovering modestly after its recent decline toward 73,500. The benchmark remains below 75,000 but has moved higher as investors reassess the recent selling pressure.

The latest gain was smaller than the advance in Japan and South Korea, leaving India’s benchmark in a more measured recovery phase.

China and Hong Kong Remain Under Pressure

The SSE Composite Index fell 1.22% to 3,888.37, matching the decline recorded in the supplied September 23 data. The benchmark remained below 3,900 and continued to trade well below the 4,000 level that had represented an important recovery threshold earlier in the month.

The Hang Seng also declined sharply, falling 1.01% to 24,510.09. The index moved closer to 24,500 and remained well below the 25,000 level after failing to sustain its earlier recovery above that threshold.

The weakness in mainland China and Hong Kong contrasted with the stronger performance in Japan and South Korea, reinforcing the divergence across Asian markets.

Australia and Its Currency Weaken

The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.43% to 8,665.00, moving farther below 8,700 and remaining well below the 9,000 level reached earlier in September.

The Australian Dollar Index also declined 0.43% to 70.16. Both Australian equities and the currency therefore weakened during the session, adding to the broader pressure visible in Australian markets.

Outlook

The September 25 session leaves Asian markets divided between continued strength in Japan and South Korea and persistent weakness in China, Hong Kong and Australia. The Nikkei’s move above 66,000 and the KOSPI’s hold above 7,000 remain important near-term levels, while the Hang Seng approaches 24,500 and the SSE Composite remains below 3,900. The Sensex is also still below 75,000, and the yen has fallen below 63.00. Investors will be watching whether the stronger regional benchmarks can extend their recovery while the weaker markets establish support around their latest levels.