Asian markets opened mostly higher on Thursday as stronger-than-expected earnings from Nvidia revived demand for technology and semiconductor shares. The broad MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained around 0.7 per cent, putting the regional benchmark on course for a third consecutive positive session.
Technology shares drive the advance
Nvidia reported that quarterly revenue had more than doubled and issued a third-quarter forecast above market expectations. The results pushed the company’s shares 4.7 per cent higher in after-hours trading and strengthened sentiment across the Asian technology supply chain.
South Korea and Taiwan, which are home to several major semiconductor and electronics manufacturers, recorded the strongest early gains. Taiwan’s Taiex advanced approximately 0.9 per cent as investors returned to chipmakers and other AI-related companies.
South Korea rises despite rate increase
South Korea’s Kospi climbed around 1.5 per cent, although it surrendered part of its initial advance after the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3 per cent.
The decision had been narrowly anticipated by financial markets. Investors focused on the central bank’s outlook for inflation and economic growth, while shares connected to Nvidia’s supply chain continued to provide support.
Japan and Australia move lower
Japan moved against the wider regional trend, with the Nikkei 225 falling approximately 0.4 per cent. The decline indicated that optimism surrounding artificial intelligence was not sufficient to lift the entire Tokyo market.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also weakened, losing around 0.9 per cent as pressure on financial, mining and energy shares outweighed gains elsewhere.
Chinese markets receive mixed signals
Mainland Chinese equities traded moderately higher, with the Shanghai Composite gaining around 0.6 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell approximately 0.4 per cent.
New economic figures showed that profits at China’s industrial companies increased by 11.2 per cent in July from a year earlier, slowing from growth of 15.1 per cent in June. Export-oriented and technology-related industries remained comparatively strong, but businesses dependent on domestic consumption continued to face weaker demand.
India opens cautiously
Indian markets began the session close to unchanged. The Nifty 50 slipped 0.06 per cent, while the BSE Sensex declined 0.12 per cent. A fall in heavyweight HDFC Bank offset some of the support provided by lower crude oil prices.
Brent crude dropped around 0.7 per cent to $87.20 per barrel as diplomatic efforts raised hopes of easing tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Lower energy prices generally benefit major Asian oil importers, including India.
Attention turns to US interest rates
Despite Thursday’s technology-led advance, investors remained cautious about persistent US inflation. Markets are now awaiting Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech at Jackson Hole on Friday for further guidance on the direction of American interest rates.
Newshub Editorial in Asia – 27 August 2026
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