Asian markets were trading mostly higher in early deals on Thursday with Japanese chipmakers leading gains after strong results from Micron Technology. Some support also came as softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data eased expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike this month. Besides, Bank of Japan policymakers signalled growing support for further interest-rate hikes, with some calling for faster increases or for rates to be brought closer to the central bank’s ‘goal’ relatively soon. However, Jakarta Composite traded lower after Indonesia’s annual inflation rose to 3.28% in September 2026 from 3.19% in the previous month, roughly in line with market expectations of 3.3%. Meanwhile, markets in China and Hong Kong remained closed on account of National Day.
Nikkei 225 surged 2124.28 points or 3.18% to 68,878.00, KOSPI rose 117.50 points or 1.72% to 6,955.54, Taiwan Weighted gained 379.92 points or 0.79% to 48,320.05 and Straits Times was up by 19.11 points or 0.34% to 5,694.99.
On the other hand, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index fell 15.36 points or 0.93% to 1,635.81 and Jakarta Composite was down by 50.44 points or 0.83% to 6,020.70.
