Asia report: Shares mixed after tech stocks tumble on Wall Street

(Sharecast News) - Asian equities were mixed on Thursday as investors continued to unwind positions in technology stocks, with sentiment fragile after another weak session on Wall Street.

Regional benchmarks struggled for direction, reflecting caution ahead of key US data and ongoing concerns about the durability of the recent AI‑driven rally.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.93% to 65,683.26, Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.49% to 25,530.28, South Korea's KOSPI slumped 4.58% to 6,296.38, while China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.57% to 3,900.35, leaving the region struggling for direction amid the global tech pullback and lingering concerns over China's growth outlook.

Broader Japanese equities were steadier, supported by financials and industrials, though turnover was subdued. Investors are awaiting fresh signals from the Bank of Japan after recent volatility in bond markets, with uncertainty over the pace of policy normalisation keeping risk appetite in check.

In China, mainland markets were little changed as investors weighed mixed economic signals. The Shanghai Composite held near recent lows, with property developers and consumer stocks underperforming.

Tech shares in China were modestly firmer, helped by bargain‑hunting after recent declines. However, traders noted that foreign inflows remain muted, with global funds reluctant to rebuild exposure until clearer signs emerge of stabilisation in the broader economy.

South Korea's KOSPI fell as semiconductor stocks extended their sharp retreat. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix were again among the biggest drags, with investors trimming positions following a global correction in AI‑linked names. The sector's outsized weighting amplified the market's decline.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com