Asian markets open mixed as technology shares retreat while Australia advances

Asian and Australian financial markets opened Tuesday, 3 November 2026, on a mixed footing as technology shares came under renewed selling pressure, Australian equities advanced and investors assessed developments in global energy markets. Concerns over artificial intelligence valuations, interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty continued to influence sentiment across the Asia-Pacific region.

South Korea leads regional technology losses

South Korea’s Kospi fell approximately 2.5% to 5,712 points during Tuesday’s session, reflecting renewed weakness in semiconductor and technology companies.

Memory chipmaker SK Hynix declined 3.6%, while Samsung Electronics lost 2.9%, reversing gains recorded during the previous session.

Taiwan’s Taiex also retreated approximately 0.9%, highlighting the vulnerability of technology-heavy markets to changing expectations surrounding artificial intelligence investment and corporate valuations.

Japan’s Tokyo Stock Exchange remained closed for the Culture Day national holiday.

China and Hong Kong move in opposite directions

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced approximately 0.3% to 23,470 points, offering some resilience against the broader regional technology sell-off.

Mainland Chinese equities weakened, however, with the Shanghai Composite declining approximately 0.7% to 3,614 points.

Investors remained cautious about China’s economic recovery and the sustainability of recent government measures intended to support equity markets.

Australian shares rise ahead of interest rate decision

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 opened higher, supported by positive equity futures and expectations of gains in companies benefiting from lower energy prices.

Early trading subsequently showed the benchmark approximately 0.2% higher at 8,872 points.

Investors were also focused on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy announcement, with markets anticipating another 25-basis-point increase in the benchmark interest rate to 4.85%.

Lower oil prices provided potential support for transport and aviation companies while presenting challenges for energy producers.

Wall Street weakness influences regional sentiment

Tuesday’s Asian trading followed a mixed Wall Street session in which technology shares weighed on broader American indices.

The S&P 500 declined approximately 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained around 0.4%.

Investors across Asia-Pacific markets are now assessing whether weakness in semiconductor shares represents a temporary correction or signals a broader reassessment of technology-sector valuations.

For the remainder of the trading week, central bank policy, energy prices and geopolitical developments are expected to remain central drivers of regional market sentiment.

NewsHub Finance | Markets | 3 November 2026