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StreetAccount Summary - Asian Market Recap: Nikkei (0.30%), Hang Seng +1.21%, Shanghai Comp +0.04% as of 04:10 ET

Aug 21 ,2026

  • Synopsis:

    • Asian equities mostly higher Friday. Hang Seng led Greater China markets. South Korea and Taiwan both advanced. Australia and Japan's Nikkei ended lower. Southeast Asia mostly higher. India trading flat. Europe opened higher and US futures edging up. Treasuries little changed following Thursday's yield reversal. Dollar weaker against majors while Korean won at 11-month high. Crude edging lower but still up nearly 6% this week. Gold and silver advancing. Bitcoin topping $77,000 to three-month high.

    • Most Asian stocks advanced as Treasuries stabilized after two days of whipsaw trading with yields retracing most of Wednesday's pullback. Came even as Treasury Secretary Bessent flagged scope for larger repurchases and a fiscal plan, although Street skeptical actions will anchor yields longer term, given structural drivers like fiscal deficits and debt remain largely intact. There were doubts whether US Treasury could find enough spending cuts to curb budget deficit of more than 6% of GDP. Issue sits along with prolonged Middle East tension that sent Brent nearly 6% higher this week to one-month high as Trump administration would announce economic sanction measures on Iran next Monday, with some to be aimed at China, Tehran's major trading partner, though this also invites doubts about follow-through given US-China trade détente ahead of Xi's visit to Washington in September.

    • In regional developments, Japan core inflation rose in-line with expectations to highest since January, reflecting increased energy contribution and reinforcing economists' expectations of a near-term BOJ rate hike. Japan flash manufacturing PMI hit six-month high amid accelerating in new orders and strong external demand across semiconductor and AI-related industries. Preliminary trade data showed South Korea exports rose (adj) 61.5% in first 20 days of August. Semiconductor shipments surged 200%, offsetting a 45% decline in auto shipments. China's MoF officials signaled new policy support in H2, including expanded scope of interest subsidies. India flash PMIs showed economic activity remained subdued in August as a slowdown in manufacturing was offset by slight growth in the services sector.

    • In company news, Alibaba (9988.HK) flagged Cloud growth and margin acceleration. Reiterated three-year capex projection and estimated payback period of roughly three years based on current margins. Meanwhile its stocks fell 2.7% in Hong Kong, worst performer in Hang Seng Tech. Pop Mart (9992.HK) shares fell sharply after company warned it will likely miss 2026 sales-growth target. Shein (+SHEIN) targets Hong Kong trading debut on 1-Sep as it is set to launch IPO next Monday. Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) expected to announce details of shareholder return plan later Friday as press reports put plan's worth at more than $70B. Kakao (035720.KS) plans to split business into AI-focused firm and an investment vehicle. Stocks were down 7.5%. Hyundai Heavy Industries (329180.KS) confirmed business review plans, including acquisition of local US shipyards.

  • Digest:

    • Notable gainers:

      • +7.2% 12.HK (Henderson Land Development): reports H1 underlying profit attributable HK$5.07B, +66% vs year-ago HK$3.05B

      • +4.4% 9999.HK (NetEase): reports Q2 revenue CNY30.11B vs FactSet CNY29.42B

      • +3.9% 2318.HK (Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China): reports H1 OPAT CNY84.20B, +8% vs year-ago CNY77.73B

      • +2.3% 3863.JP (Nippon Paper Industries): LINTEC to conduct secondary offering (for holder Nippon Paper) of 17.1M shares

    • Notable decliners:

      • -15.5% 9899.HK (NetEase Cloud Music): reports H1 results; some analysts note online revenue missed expectations

      • -11.7% 079550.KS (LIG Defense & Aerospace): employee reportedly accused of paying hundreds of millions of won in bribes to DAPA official during bidding for Navy and Air Force weapons development

      • -7.5% 035720.KS (Kakao): to spin off platform business, including KakaoTalk, into separate entity, Kakao AI; provides value-up plan

      • -4.7% 329180.KS (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.): confirms reviewing various options, including acquisition of local US shipyards and equity investments

      • -4.2% 7966.JP (LINTEC): to conduct secondary offering (for holder Nippon Paper) of 17.1M shares

      • -3.1% 9992.HK (Pop Mart International Group): reports H1 results

      • -2.5% 9988.HK (Alibaba Group): reports Q1 non-GAAP EPADS CNY8.52 vs FactSet CNY10.1

  • Data:

    • Economic:

      • Japan

        • August flash manufacturing PMI 55.1 vs 54.5 in prior month

          • Services PMI 52.3 vs 51.2 in prior month

          • Composite PMI 53.4 vs 52.7 in prior month

        • July nationwide core CPI +1.8% y/y vs consensus +1.8% and +1.6% in prior month

          • CPI excl. fresh food & energy +1.9% y/y vs consensus +1.9% and +1.7% in prior month

          • Overall CPI +1.9% y/y vs consensus +1.9% and revised +1.6% in prior month

      • India

        • August flash manufacturing PMI 52.9 vs final 53.5 in prior month

          • Services PMI 54.5 vs 53.3 in prior month

          • Composite PMI 54.6 vs 54.3 in prior month

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