Tokyo’s Nikkei closed at 27,362.75, down 32.26 points, or -0.12%, as the yen strengthened against the US dollar and profit taking. The worst performers were Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha-4.11%, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines-3.24%, and Nippon Yusen K.K-2.38%. The best performers were Dai Nippon Printing+4.33%, Taiheiyo Cement Corp.+3.26%, and Sumitomo Osake Cement+8.09%.
The South Korean Composite Index (KOSPI) increased by 1.65%, or 40.08 points, to 2,468.65 points due to purchases by foreign investors prior to the earnings announcement season for listed companies. The top performers were Daesung Energy at +29.94%, Posco Chemical at +14.06%, and Hyundai-Rotem at +10.78%. On the other hand, the losers were InBioGen Co Ltd at -6.83%, Asiana IDT at -4.61%, and Samick Thk at -3.32%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended at 22,566.78 points, a 2.37% or 522.13 point increase, as investors returned to the market after the Lunar New Year holiday, driven by expectations of China’s opening-up policy and speculation that the Federal Reserve may slow down interest rate hikes. The top performers were Shentong Rubot Education at +85.71%, China Primary Energy at +54.55%, and LET Holdings at +38.46%. The worst performers were China Internet Investment Finance at -89.53%, Yield Go at -23.08%, and China Medical HealthCare at -22.97%.
— The Australian stock market is closed today (26 Jan) for Australia Day.
— Chinese stock markets are closed today (26 Jan) for the Chinese New Year holiday.
The SET index in Thailand closed at 1,670.10 points, a decrease of 0.71% or 12.01 points. The underperforming stocks were JMT Network Services at -9.24%, Next Capital at -8.25%, and Global Power Shin. Nergy at -7.72%. The top performers were Fort at +13.91%, Thai Eastern Group Holdings at +10.19%, and Country Group Holdings at +9.09%.