India-U.S., chip tariffs, Toyota earnings

Asia-Pacific markets closed largely larger Thursday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark rose 0.65% to shut at 41,059.15, whereas the Topix climbed 0.72% to 2,987,92.

Over in South Korea, the Kospi index superior 0.92% to finish the day at 3,227.68, and the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.29% to shut at 805.81.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was 0.69% larger at 25,081.63, whereas mainland China’s CSI 300 ended the day flat.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 bucked the broader development, closing 0.14% decrease at 8,831.4.

— Nur Hikmah Md Ali

Indian shares fell in early commerce Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s extra 25% tariff. This brings the total levies against the South Asian giant to 50%.

The 50-stock benchmark Nifty 50 fell 0.31%, whereas the BSE Sensex index misplaced 0.35% as of 9.25 a.m. Indian Standard time (11.55 p.m. ET Wednesday).

Oil rises after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he deliberate to impose a 100% tariff on chip imports, besides that of firms that manufactured domestically.

Brent Crude was buying and selling at $67.56 per barrel after transferring up 1%, as of 11:50 a.m. Singapore time (11:50 p.m. ET Monday).

Meanwhile, the West Texas Intermediate crude added 1.13% to $65.06.

China’s exports progress in July sharply beat market expectations because the clock on a tariff truce with the U.S. retains ticking, whereas imports rose their highest bounce in a yr.

Exports climbed 7.2% in July in U.S. greenback phrases from a yr earlier, customs information confirmed Thursday, exceeding Reuters-polled economists’ estimates of a 5.4% rise.

Imports rose 4.1% final month from a yr earlier, accelerating the 1.1% rebound in June in its first progress this yr. Economists had forecast imports to fall 1.0%, in keeping with a Reuters ballot.

Read the total story, here.

— Anniek Bao

Shares of Cathay Pacific Airways plunged as a lot as 4.52% Thursday, extending its declines for the second consecutive session.

This comes after the corporate posted a 1% revenue progress within the first half of 2025 on Wednesday and stated it purchased 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

Chinese and Hong Kong shares began the day larger Thursday, amid an increase in a lot of the different key Asia-Pacific markets.

As of 9:40 a.m. native time (9:40 p.m. ET Wednesday), the Hang Seng Index added 0.23%, whereas the mainland’s CSI 300 ticked up by 0.14%.

— Amala Balakrishner

Taiwan’s benchmark Taiex index surged over 2% in early commerce Thursday, reversing course from losses in its earlier session.

The benchmark was up 2.22% as of 9:35 a.m. native time (9:35 p.m. ET Wednesday), with beneficial properties led by the know-how, industrials and healthcare sectors, in keeping with information from LSEG.

The high three performers have been TPK Holding which surged 9.97%, Pell Bio Med Technology which superior 9.95% and Gigastorage Corp which added 9.87%.

Meanwhile, shares of tech giants Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Hon Hai Precision Industry — identified globally as Foxconn — have been final seen buying and selling 4.44% and three.49% larger, respectively.

The iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF reveals the index’s strikes:

Japan’s Topix index rose for the third consecutive session Thursday and briefly hit a document excessive of two,989.59.

The broad-based index had gained 0.76% as of 10:42 a.m. native time (9:42 p.m. ET Wednesday),

Gains have been led by medical providers platform M3 Inc which surged 20.75%, healthcare information supplier JMDC Inc which jumped 17.11% and equipment retailer Intermestic which superior 13.46%.

— Amala Balakrishner

Semiconductor-related shares in Asia continued to commerce combined Thursday following information of U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow to impose 100% tariffs on chips and semiconductor exports to the U.S., barring these of U.S. firms that manufacture domestically.

Shares of South Korea’s SK Hynix fell 0.77%, whereas that of Samsung Electronics added 2.47% as of 8:40 a.m. Singapore time (8:40 p.m. ET Wednesday).

Over in Japan, semiconductor testing tools provider Advantest’s shares have been flat, whereas know-how conglomerate SoftBank — which owns a majority stake in chip designer Arm — added 1.77%.

Meanwhile, shares of Tokyo Electron and Renesas Electronics tumbled 2.62% and 1.96%, respectively.

— Amala Balakrishner

Asia-Pacific markets opened combined Thursday.

As of 8:06 a.m. Singapore time (8:08 p.m. ET Wednesday), Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark was flat whereas the broader Topix index ticked up 0.19%.

In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 0.12% whereas the small-cap Kosdaq was unchanged.

Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark was flat.

— Amala Balakrishner

Good morning from Singapore.

Investors will likely be retaining an in depth watch on chip shares following U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow to impose 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors and chips, except they’re made by firms “building in the United States.”

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to open decrease, with the futures contract in Chicago at 40,785 whereas its counterpart in Osaka final traded at 40,790, towards the index’s final shut of 40,794.86.

Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,903, pointing to a weaker open in contrast with the HSI’s Wednesday shut of 24,910.63.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was set to start out the day decrease with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,779, in contrast with its final shut of 8,843.70.

— Amala Balakrishner

President Donald Trump stated late Wednesday that he would slap a 100% duty on imports of semiconductors and chips – with an exception for firms which can be “building in the United States.”

“We’re going to be putting a very large tariff on chips and semiconductors,” he stated, talking within the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon.

“But the good news for companies like Apple is if you’re building in the United States or have committed to build, without question, committed to build in the United States, there will be no charge,” Trump added.

Shares of Apple superior 3% in prolonged buying and selling, recent off a 5% achieve within the common session.

— Kevin Breuninger, Darla Mercado

All the three main averages completed with beneficial properties on Wednesday.

The S&P 500 superior 0.73% to complete at 6,345.06, whereas the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.21%, closing at 21,169.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average additionally rose 81.38 factors, or 0.18%, to finish the day at 44,193.12.

— Sean Conlon