Asian Markets Today: Nikkei and KOSPI Gain, Taiwan Weighted Jumps 1.4%, Hang Seng Lags
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Harsh Piplani
- Category: News
Asian markets today: Nikkei 225 +0.11% at 63,995.00. Hang Seng -1.19% at 24,420.00. Taiwan Weighted +1.47% at 46,520.80. KOSPI +0.15%. Shanghai Composite -0.59%.
Quick Answer
Asian markets today are trading mostly higher as investors assess the US Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and its outlook for further tightening. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI both posted modest gains, while Taiwan’s Weighted index led the region with a 1.47 percent jump to 46,520.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was the notable laggard, down 1.19 percent, while mainland China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.59 percent. Southeast Asian markets showed a mixed picture, with Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite up 0.66 percent and Thailand’s SET Composite roughly unchanged.
Asian markets today are trading mostly higher, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi both gaining as investors continued to assess the US Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and its signal of further tightening ahead.
The standout performer across Asian markets today was Taiwan’s Weighted index, up 1.47 percent to 46,520.80, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was the clear laggard, down 1.19 percent to 24,420.00, highlighting a divergent picture rather than a uniform regional move.
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Full Snapshot of Asian Markets Today
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up a modest 0.11 percent at 63,995.00, while Singapore’s Straits Times index gained 0.07 percent to 5,639.20. South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.15 percent to 6,727.72, and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite rose a more meaningful 0.66 percent to 6,479.26.
On the weaker side, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.19 percent to 24,420.00, and mainland China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.59 percent to 3,868.70. Thailand’s SET Composite was essentially flat, unchanged from its previous close, while Taiwan’s Weighted index was the region’s clear outperformer, up 1.47 percent.
| Index | LTP | Chg (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | 63,995.00 | +0.11 |
| Straits Times | 5,639.20 | +0.07 |
| Hang Seng | 24,420.00 | -1.19 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 46,520.80 | +1.47 |
| KOSPI | 6,727.72 | +0.15 |
| SET Composite | 1,562.73 | 0.00 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,479.26 | +0.66 |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,868.70 | -0.59 |
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Why Asian Markets Are Reacting This Way to the Fed
A mostly higher tone across Asian markets today, even as the Fed just raised rates, suggests investors had already priced in the move to a significant degree, and are now focused more on the Fed’s forward guidance and the broader growth outlook than the rate decision itself.
The divergence between Hong Kong’s decline and gains elsewhere in the region, particularly Taiwan’s sharp rise, points to market-specific factors, likely tied to technology and semiconductor-related sentiment given Taiwan’s heavy weighting toward that sector, playing a larger role than the shared Fed news across these markets.
Also read – Steel Stocks Rally as Nomura Backs Tata Steel, JSW Steel and Jindal Steel Buy Calls Amid 4-Year High Prices
What This Means for Indian Markets
Indian equity markets often take directional cues from how Asian markets react overnight and through the morning session, alongside domestic factors, so a mostly positive tone across the region, tempered by Hong Kong’s weakness, is likely to feed into sentiment for Indian trading on Thursday.
Investors should note that Asian markets today are reacting to the same Fed decision now working its way through global asset prices, including the rupee, Indian bond yields and sector-specific stocks with meaningful exposure to US markets or dollar-denominated costs.
Also read – RBI Rate Hike Alert: Nomura Sees 50 bps Increase in Q4 as Inflation Pressure Builds
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Conclusion
Asian markets today show a mostly positive but uneven regional picture following the Fed’s rate hike, with Taiwan leading gains and Hong Kong the clear laggard. Investors should watch how this regional tone feeds into Indian market sentiment through the session, and should consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information. These may or may not be accurate. Please verify all data with the official NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) websites before making any investment decision. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).
FAQs
Are Asian markets today trading higher or lower?
Ans. Asian markets today are trading mostly higher, led by Taiwan’s Weighted index, though Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is a notable laggard.
How much did the Taiwan Weighted index gain today?
Ans. The Taiwan Weighted index gained 1.47 percent to 46,520.80, the standout performer among Asian markets today.
Why is the Hang Seng falling while other Asian markets rise?
Ans. The divergence likely reflects market-specific factors rather than a uniform regional reaction to the Fed, though the exact cause has not been officially detailed.
How did Japan’s Nikkei 225 perform today?
Ans. The Nikkei 225 gained a modest 0.11 percent to 63,995.00.
What is driving the overall tone in Asian markets today?
Ans. Investors are assessing the US Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and its signal of further tightening, with markets appearing to have priced in much of the move already.
Could Asian markets today affect Indian stock market sentiment?
Ans. Yes. Indian equity markets often take directional cues from overnight and same-morning Asian market performance, alongside domestic factors.
