Asian, Australian and Indian stock markets opened on Thursday with mixed sentiment, as traders reacted to overnight moves in the United States, fresh monetary policy signals, and shifts in commodity prices. While Indian equities saw early strength, Australian shares traded flat, and broader Asian markets displayed a cautious tone.
Asian markets remain cautious
Markets across Asia began the day with subdued activity. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index drifted sideways, with investors monitoring developments in the technology sector and concerns over property market weakness. Mainland Chinese indices also moved marginally, reflecting both global macroeconomic uncertainty and domestic policy challenges.
In Tokyo, trading activity was muted, as a national holiday limited broader volumes. The Nikkei had previously touched multi-decade highs earlier in the month, and investors remain focused on the yen’s performance against the dollar, given its implications for exporters.
Australia sees flat start
In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 opened broadly unchanged. Strength in mining and resource stocks helped offset declines in financials and gold producers. Commodity-linked companies benefited from resilient demand signals from China, while the banking sector was weighed down by expectations of tighter lending margins.
Market participants in Australia are closely tracking global interest rate developments. The prospect of slower growth in major economies has created uncertainty, but the resource-heavy composition of the ASX continues to provide some insulation against volatility.
India edges higher on IT strength
Indian equities started the session on a firmer note, supported by information technology stocks. Both the Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex opened higher, with IT services firms gaining ground as lower interest rates in the United States fuelled expectations of increased outsourcing demand and capital inflows into emerging markets.
Investors in Mumbai also took confidence from broader optimism that India’s domestic consumption and corporate earnings growth could offset external headwinds. Analysts suggested that inflows from foreign institutional investors may remain steady if global liquidity conditions continue to ease.
Global context remains key
Across the region, markets remain sensitive to policy signals from the US Federal Reserve and other major central banks. While India has responded positively to the rate cut in Washington, caution persists elsewhere, with traders reluctant to extend risk exposure ahead of upcoming economic data releases.
Overall, the opening tone in Asia, Australia and India reflects the balancing act investors face between optimism over global liquidity and concerns about growth slowdowns. Market watchers expect continued volatility as cross-currents in commodities, currencies and policy decisions shape trading in the coming days.
Newshub Editorial in Asia – 25 September 2025
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