South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.7 percent to 4,192.20 in early trading as investors locked in profits following a sharp rally in large-cap semiconductor stocks. Foreign investors sold 701.2 billion won, while domestic institutions offloaded 207.9 billion won.
Tech bellwethers weakened, with Samsung Electronics down 1.6 percent at 109,300 won ($76) and SK hynix falling 3.2 percent to 600,000 won. Hyundai Motor, Asia’s second-largest automaker, also declined 3.4 percent to 281,500 won.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 edged down 0.2 percent to 52,305.91, as the index’s first move above the 52,000 threshold prompted profit-taking. A softer tone on Wall Street—despite gains in the Nasdaq and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index—also weighed on sentiment.
China’s markets were largely unchanged. The Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.01 percent to 3,977.10, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.02 percent to 26,162.96.
Investors digested mixed macroeconomic signals: manufacturing activity in China weakened more than expected in October, clouding the demand outlook, while easing U.S.–China trade tensions—after Beijing suspended select export controls and Washington paused some tariffs following the recent high-level summit—provided a measure of support.
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