Asian markets delivered a mixed start to the new trading week on Monday, with Hong Kong opening firmly higher, Indian equities losing ground in Mumbai and South Korea’s KOSPI remaining closed for a public holiday. Investors entered the week balancing renewed buying interest in Chinese assets against elevated oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and continuing questions over the global growth outlook.
Hong Kong opens strongly
Hong Kong provided the clearest positive signal among the three markets. The Hang Seng Index opened around 1.3% higher on Monday, with investors returning to Chinese and Hong Kong-listed equities despite the absence of a major new stimulus announcement from Beijing.
The advance suggested that investors were prepared to increase exposure to Chinese assets as they assessed the government’s approach to supporting economic growth. Hong Kong has remained particularly sensitive to expectations surrounding mainland Chinese policy, property conditions, consumer demand and technology-sector regulation.
The stronger opening also contrasted with some of the caution visible elsewhere in Asia, putting Hong Kong among the region’s better-performing major markets during early Monday trading.
KOSPI closed for Liberation Day holiday
South Korea provided no opening direction on Monday because the Korea Exchange was closed. The 17 August session is a substitute holiday following Liberation Day, meaning there was no regular trading in the KOSPI. Trading is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
The closure comes at an important period for South Korean equities. The KOSPI has experienced considerable volatility following the extraordinary technology and artificial-intelligence-driven rally that pushed Korean shares sharply higher before subsequent corrections.
Investors will therefore have to wait until Tuesday to see how Korean equities respond to Monday’s international market developments.
Mumbai opens under pressure
Indian equities moved in the opposite direction to Hong Kong. The BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 opened weaker on Monday as investors remained concerned about elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions.
The Sensex fell by more than 300 points in early trading, while the Nifty dropped below the 24,300 level. As trading developed, the Nifty was around 0.34% lower at 24,282.45, while the Sensex had declined approximately 0.46% to 77,647.
Nine of India’s 16 major sectors were trading lower, although the broader small-cap and mid-cap markets were comparatively stable. Individual corporate developments also influenced trading, producing significant movements in several pharmaceutical, industrial and defence-related shares.
Oil remains a central concern
Energy prices remain one of the most important external variables for Indian markets. Brent crude was trading around $89 a barrel on Monday, with continuing geopolitical tensions keeping energy markets elevated.
India imports most of the crude oil it consumes, making sustained increases in energy prices potentially significant for inflation, corporate margins, the trade balance and the rupee. This gives Mumbai considerably greater sensitivity to an extended period of expensive oil than many other large equity markets.
A divided start to the Asian week
Monday therefore produced three very different pictures across the selected Asian financial centres: Hong Kong began the session with a substantial gain, Mumbai opened in negative territory and Seoul remained closed.
The divergence highlights the increasingly localised forces influencing Asian equities. Chinese policy expectations are supporting sentiment in Hong Kong, energy costs and geopolitical risks are weighing on India, while South Korean investors will return on Tuesday to a market that has recently experienced exceptional technology-driven volatility.
For investors, the next sessions will provide a clearer indication of whether Hong Kong’s positive momentum can continue and whether Indian equities can absorb the pressure from elevated crude prices.
Newshub Editorial in Asia – 17 August 2026
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