Asian markets update today, May 12: Hang Seng, Nikkei gain; NZX 50 and KOSPI decline

Aman Shukla — Tue, 12 May 2026 02:36:50 +0000

Asian stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday morning, with gains in Hong Kong, Japan, and Malaysia, while markets in New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia witnessed declines as of 8 AM IST.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) rose 89.04 points, or 0.34%, to 26,495.88. Japan’s Nikkei index also traded higher, gaining 226.82 points, or 0.36%, to 62,644.7.

Malaysia’s benchmark index advanced 5.82 points, or 0.33%, to 1,751.13, while Taiwan’s market edged up 41.9 points, or 0.1%, to 41,831.96.

Singapore’s STI index remained marginally positive, rising 1.81 points, or 0.04%, to 4,944.58.

On the downside, New Zealand’s NZX 50 declined 206.4 points, or 1.56%, to 13,004.08, making it one of the worst-performing markets in the region during early trade.

South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 113.75 points, or 1.45%, to 7,708.49, while Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 34.7 points, or 0.4%, to 8,667.1.

Mainland China indices also traded lower. The Shanghai Composite fell 6.534 points, or 0.15%, to 4,218.486, while the Shenzhen index declined 56.737 points, or 0.36%, to 15,842.565.

Meanwhile, India’s Nifty 50 was unchanged at 23,815.85 during early indications.

Thailand’s SET index remained flat at 1,489.29, while the SGX-CNBC China Growth index slipped 0.775 points, or 0.04%, to 1,775.549.

Asia markets | Business Upturn

Asian markets update today, May 12: Hang Seng, Nikkei gain; NZX 50 and KOSPI decline