Asian equity markets opened lower on Wednesday, July 8, as investors navigated a dual headwind of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing weakness in the technology sector.
The risk-off mood that has characterized regional trading since the start of the week deepened, with major benchmarks posting declines across the board.
94%. The divergence highlights continued vulnerability in growth-oriented and smaller companies amid the broader market caution.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.55%, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.7%.
In South Korea, the Kospi index declined 0.72%, but the smaller-cap Kosdaq index faced sharper selling pressure, falling 1.94%.
The divergence highlights continued vulnerability in growth-oriented and smaller companies amid the broader market caution.
The sell-off follows a volatile start to the week, during which South Korean markets reacted sharply to the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran.