Japanese and South Korean stocks opened mixed on 28 September. Japanese stocks edged higher, moving beyond a key level, while the South Korean market traded lower as semiconductor-related stocks weakened. Against the backdrop of the previous day's US market performance, developments in the two markets were mixed.
The Japanese and South Korean stock markets reported on 28 September opened with the Nikkei Average edging higher, while South Korea's KOSPI opened lower. Japanese stocks traded firmly, supported in part by gains in SoftBank Group, while semiconductor-related stocks stood out on the downside in the South Korean market, resulting in mixed overall market sentiment.
Overseas markets continued to hold the previous day's highs in the major US stock indexes. Although the final reading of US consumer sentiment declined, there were periods toward the end of trading when the major indexes narrowed their losses. Geopolitical risks continue to create tension as a source of volatility in Asian markets.
Among individual stocks, SoftBank Group rose in Japan, while a decline in SK hynix weighed on the KOSPI in South Korea. Semiconductor-related stocks such as Samsung Electronics also showed movement, and investors monitored Japan- and South Korea-specific factors together.
The market trend was seen as reflecting the uncertainty facing Asian markets ahead, against the backdrop of movements in the US market at the end of the previous week and the situation in the Middle East.