Asian Stocks Stumble on US Shutdown Fears, Kospi Bucks Trend |

Asian markets closed Friday with a mixed bag of results, largely leaning into the red as global concerns weighed heavily on investor sentiment.

The ongoing anxiety over a potential US government shutdown, coupled with persistent tech and trade tensions, dragged down major indices.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) dropped by a notable 1.14%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 followed suit with a 0.97% decline.

Mainland China also traded lower.

However, South Korea’s Kospi was the clear outlier, jumping by approximately 1.39%.

This bullish performance in Seoul District was reportedly fueled by exciting news of AI-related chip deals involving key local firms, providing a significant boost against the broader regional gloom.

The divergence underscores the impact of sector-specific news in volatile global markets