Asian stock markets began Monday’s trading session on a volatile note, with Japan and South Korea initially declining before investors returned to selected technology shares. Chinese equities opened higher, while falling oil prices and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence investment dominated sentiment across the region.
Tokyo opens lower as technology shares struggle
Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened 0.51% lower at 62,972 points, reflecting continued concerns over the sustainability of the global artificial intelligence investment boom.
The benchmark subsequently recovered some ground, although trading remained unsettled.
Technology companies faced particular pressure following disappointing earnings forecasts and last week’s sharp decline in American semiconductor stocks. Japanese memory-chip producer Kioxia was among the hardest hit, while SoftBank also came under selling pressure.
South Korea rebounds after a difficult opening
South Korea’s Kospi initially fell 1.62% to 5,637 points before recovering strongly as investors returned to major semiconductor manufacturers.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix attracted renewed buying interest, demonstrating the continuing importance of memory chips and AI infrastructure to South Korea’s financial markets.
The recovery followed substantial volatility in October, when concerns over technology valuations triggered widespread selling across Asian exchanges.
China and Hong Kong begin the week higher
Mainland Chinese shares opened positively, with the Shanghai Composite advancing 0.40% to 3,614 points.
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.59%, while the technology-focused ChiNext Index rose 1.05%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index opened marginally higher at 23,301 points, with technology shares providing additional support.
Investors also monitored reports of discussions between Chinese financial authorities and major institutions concerning potential measures to support domestic capital markets.
Oil prices retreat as geopolitical uncertainty persists
Energy markets provided another significant influence on Asian trading.
Crude oil prices fell more than 3% amid diplomatic developments involving Iran and Qatar, raising hopes that shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz might ease.
However, uncertainty surrounding regional security and global energy supplies continued to influence inflation expectations and investor risk appetite.
Wall Street and Apple earnings remain in focus
Asian investors entered the new trading week following Friday’s significant sell-off on Wall Street, when technology and semiconductor shares suffered heavy losses.
The approaching quarterly earnings announcement from Apple represents another important test of market confidence.
Investors are increasingly questioning whether the extraordinary expenditure on artificial intelligence infrastructure can generate sufficient returns to justify current technology valuations.
The coming days may therefore prove decisive for Asian technology shares, particularly in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Monday’s opening demonstrated a region divided between concerns about excessive AI valuations and renewed confidence in selected semiconductor companies.
NewsHub Finance | Asian Markets | 2 November 2026
Asian stock markets began Monday's trading session on a volatile note, with Japan and South Korea initially declining before investors returned to selected technology shares. Chinese equities opened higher, while falling oil prices and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence investment dominated sentiment across the region.
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