Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, with sentiment broadly supported by a strong finish to the United States quarter, even as regional indices diverged amid mixed domestic data and sector-specific weakness.
By 11:45 am AEST (1:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.3%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 fell 1.8%.
In Japan, business sentiment among large manufacturers improved to its strongest level in more than six years, according to the Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan survey.
The index rose to 22 from 17 in the previous quarter, beating expectations of 16 in a Reuters poll, signalling improving confidence among domestic firms.
South Korea, meanwhile, reported a surge in exports, with shipments rising 70.9% year-on-year in June to $102.25 billion.
The increase marked the strongest growth since October 1978 and was driven by a sharp jump in semiconductor exports amid continued global demand linked to artificial intelligence investment.
In Australia, construction data showed the total number of building approvals fell 1.1% in May to 17,019, against market expectations for a 1% rise.
“The fall in total dwellings approved was driven by a 10.4 per cent fall in private dwellings excluding houses, after a 4.0 per cent April rise,” said Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics.
“Private sector house approvals rose 2.8 per cent, to the highest level since September 2021. This is the fourth consecutive month with over 10,000 private sector houses approved.”
In the United States, major benchmarks closed higher overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending record highs with a 0.3% gain, while the S&P 500 rose 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.5%.
Commodity markets were softer on Tuesday, with ICE Brent crude falling 1.3% to US$72.95 per barrel. Spot gold eased 0.2% to US$4,007.65 per ounce, touching its lowest level since 5 November 2025 during intraday trade.
In China, equities finished higher, with the SSE Composite Index gaining 0.5% to 4,094.4 and the CSI 300 rising 1.1% to 4,979.4.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.6% to 22,881.0, while India’s BSE Sensex slipped 0.3% to 76,478.7.
In Europe, markets ended in positive territory, with the UK’s FTSE 100 edging up 0.1% to 10,497.1, Germany’s DAX climbing 1.5% to 24,995.8, and France’s CAC 40 adding 0.4% to 8,404.0.
