Asian Shares Slide as Investors Rotate Out of Chipmakers; Hang Seng Opens Higher

Asian shares fell on Thursday as investors rotated out of chipmakers after a strong quarter, while currency and bond markets positioned ahead of U.S. jobs data that could signal the risk of interest rate hikes, according to RTHK. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened up 190 points, or 0.83%, at 23,071. The China Enterprises Index rose 54 points, or 0.73%, to 7,613, and the tech index gained 56 points, or 1.25%, to 4,528. Mainland China markets opened lower, with the Shanghai Composite down 58 points, or 1.42%, at 4,054. The Shenzhen Component fell 390 points, or 2.41%, to 15,729, while the ChiNext Index dropped 125 points, or 2.94%, to 4,135. Japan’s Nikkei opened down 435 points, or 0.62%, at 70,039 and later fell as much as 711 points, or 1.01%, to 69,763 before noon. South Korea’s Kospi opened down 370 points, or 4.46%, at 7,933 and later was down 239 points, or 2.88%, at 8,064 before midday. RTHK said foreign investors sold Asian equities at the fastest pace in at least 16 years in the first half of 2026, as an AI-driven rally prompted profit-taking in major winners such as South Korea. Markets are focused on U.S. non-farm payrolls data due on Thursday. Economists polled expect job growth of 110,000 for June, with forecasts ranging from 25,000 to 200,000, and the unemployment rate seen steady at 4.3%.