Asian Markets Mixed on Thursday, Hong Kong Stocks and A-Shares Decline

Asian stock markets ended mixed, with sharp declines in Hong Kong and mainland China, while South Korea and Singapore posted gains. Japan’s markets were closed for a public holiday.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 2.23%, the Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 3.39%, and the China Enterprises Index lost 2.33%. Tech stocks struggled, with JD.com falling nearly 5%, while auto stocks outperformed, led by BYD, which gained nearly 2% to a record high.

In mainland China, A-shares saw a broad decline, with indices widening their losses in the afternoon session. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.51%, the Shenzhen Component Index dropped 0.91%, and the ChiNext Index lost 1.0%. The Beijing Stock Exchange 50 Index plunged 2.74% for the second consecutive session. Marine economy-related stocks were among the few gainers, while robotics stocks showed resilience. Meanwhile, consumer sectors, including liquor and home appliances, saw notable pullbacks.

Japan’s markets were closed for a holiday.

South Korea’s KOSPI Index rose 0.32% to 2,637.10.

Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.57%, closing at 3,930.49.

Malaysia’s FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI fell 0.89%, closing at 1,504.16.