Asia markets end mixed on rates, tech pressure

January 15, 2026 (MLN): Asia markets delivered a mixed performance on Thursday, with South Korean stocks advancing while Japanese and Chinese benchmarks came under pressure.

South Korean equities edged higher after the Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50%, a decision widely anticipated by economists.

Policymakers cited recent weakness in the won as a factor limiting room for near-term monetary easing.

Following the declaration, the KOSPI climbed 0.57%, while the KOSDAQ hovered around flat territory. The South Korean won slipped roughly 0.2% to 1,466.6 per dollar, according to CNBC.

In Japan, trading was subdued as currency dynamics remained in focus.

The Nikkei 225 fell about 1.05%, while the broader TOPIX posted modest gains of 0.15%.

The yen firmed slightly to around 158.34 against the dollar, after touching an 18-month low earlier in the week, keeping markets alert to the possibility of official intervention.

Japanese corporate news provided a bright spot, with shares of Toyota Industries surging nearly 6%.

The rally followed an announcement by Toyota Motor that it had agreed to raise its takeover bid to 18,800 yen per share.

Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced around 0.4%, supported by gains across multiple sectors.

In Greater China, sentiment was weaker. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped about 0.6%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 declined 0.4%.

Technology and consumer stocks dragged Hong Kong lower after shares of Trip.com plunged as much as 21%, marking the steepest fall on the index.

The sell-off came after China’s market regulator disclosed it had launched an investigation into the online travel platform over alleged monopolistic practices. The stock was last trading down more than 17%.

Regional market moves followed a second straight session of losses on Wall Street overnight. U.S. equities retreated from record highs as investors digested fresh earnings reports and tracked geopolitical developments.

The S&P 500 fell 0.53%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.09%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 1%, marking its second consecutive decline.

Technology shares led losses in the U.S., particularly in the semiconductor space. Broadcom slid 4%, while Nvidia and Micron Technology each fell more than 1%.

Overall, Asia-Pacific markets remained range-bound as investors balanced cautious central bank signals, volatile currency moves, and rising regulatory risks against selective corporate optimism.

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