Asia report: fresh highs for Nikkei-225 and Kospi

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region were mostly higher on Thursday, likely helped by the favourable tailwind from the fresh record highs set by the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 overnight.

Tokyo, Japan

Source: Sharecast

Japan's Nikkei-225 gained 1.77% to reach 48,580.44, a fresh record high, alongside a smaller 0.68% advance to 3,257.77 for the broader Topix index.

Dollar/yen drifted down 0.15% to 1.3384 and the yield on 10-year JGBs by one basis point at 1.697%.

In the background, some analysts were sounding an optimistic note for the medium-term but caution for over the near-term.

That was the case of one Spain-based small fund manager who told Sharecast that he had recently pared gold holdings in his portfolio from about 50% to above 20%.

Nonetheless, his expectation was that in several years' time the yellow metal might fetch $10,000/oz..

As for the broader market, he believed that there was far too much complacency.

For his part, Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management told clients: "To add a little balance to my “The New Era Isn’t a Bubble — It’s a Rerating of Reality,” it’s not that I’m naive to the risks.

"Every cycle hides its own fault line, and this one won’t be any different. However, I think the tail risk will persist more deeply in the credit market."

Innes was referring to the segment of the credit market exposed to the AI frenzy.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange's A Composite Index meanwhile was ahead by 1.32% to 4,124.06.

South Korea's Kospi outperformed, adding 2.70% to 3,549.21, and thus also establishing a fresh high.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dipped 0.29% to 26,752.59.

As an aside, consultancy KPMG pointed out in its latest report how Hong Kong was on the path to reclaiming the top spot globally for IPO proceeds in 2025, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Taiwan's TAIEX index rose 0.88% to 27,301.92.

Hanoi´s Ho Chi Ming Index jumped 1.1% to 1,716.47.

Worth noting, China imposed new curbs on its exports or rare earths and other critical minerals ahead of a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping scheduled for later in October.

Exchange: Nasdaq-NM
Sell:
$ 234.67
Buy:
$ 235.00
Change: -4.96 ( -2.05 %)
Date:
Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Compare our accounts

If you're looking to grow your money over the longer term (5+ years), we have a range of investment choices to help.

Bank of Scotland is not responsible for the content and accuracy of the Markets News articles. We may not share the views of the author. Understand the risks, please remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invest. We don't provide advice so if you are in any doubt about buying and selling shares or making your own investment decisions we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified Financial Advisor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Important legal information

Bank of Scotland Share Dealing Service is operated by Halifax Share Dealing Limited. Halifax Share Dealing Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3195646. Registered Office: Trinity Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2RG. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London, E20 1JN under number 183332. A Member of the London Stock Exchange and an HM Revenue & Customs Approved ISA Manager.

Logo Allfunds

The information contained within this website is provided by Allfunds Digital, S.L.U. acting through its business division Digital Look Ltd unless otherwise stated. The information is not intended to be advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any of the shares, companies or investment vehicles mentioned, nor is it information meant to be a research recommendation. This is a solution powered by Allfunds Digital, S.L.U. acting through its business division Digital Look Ltd incorporating their prices, data news, charts, fundamentals and investor tools on this site. Terms and conditions apply. Prices and trades are provided by Allfunds Digital, S.L.U. acting through its business division Digital Look Ltd and are delayed by at least 15 minutes.

FE fundinfo Logo

Data provided by FE fundinfo. Care has been taken to ensure that the information is correct, but FE fundinfo neither warrants, represents nor guarantees the contents of information, nor does it accept any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or any inconsistencies herein. Past performance does not predict future performance, it should not be the main or sole reason for making an investment decision. The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise.

Refinitiv Logo

© 2025 Refinitiv, an LSEG business. All rights reserved.