Asian markets settle higher on Thursday
South Korea's Kospi surged 9.63% after tumbling nearly 20% over the previous three sessions
Asian markets settled higher on Thursday tracking Wall Street’s gains overnight after US jobs and services data beat forecasts, and reports that operatives from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence have signalled openness to the US Central Intelligence Agency regarding talks to end the current conflict. South Korea's Kospi surged 9.63% to close at 5,583.90 after tumbling nearly 20% over the previous three sessions, as semiconductor and broader technology shares bounced back from the historic selloff. Moreover, Chinese and Hong Kong shares gained after China signalled a shift toward economic rebalancing, setting its 2026 growth target at 4.5%-5% from the ‘around 5%’ pace of recent years. China’s 15th five-year plan pledged higher spending on innovation, high-tech industries, scientific research, and household consumption, while keeping fiscal deficit at 4% of GDP and inflation near 2%. Sentiments improved further after China unveiled plans to inject 300 billion yuan ($44 billion) into state-owned banks this year to guard against systemic risks, and boost financing for technology companies amid intensifying US rivalry.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,108.57 | 26.09 | 0.64 |
| Hang Seng | 25,321.34 | 71.86 | 0.28 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,710.54 | 133.48 | 1.73 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,713.20 | 14.98 | 0.88 |
| Nikkei 225 | 55,278.06 | 1,032.52 | 1.90 |
| Straits Times | 4,846.56 | 33.81 | 0.70 |
| KOSPI Composite | 5,583.90 | 490.36 | 9.63 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 33,672.94 | 844.06 | 2.57 |
