[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac indices are mixed with a mostly negative bias amid a semiconductor sell-off

APAC Stocks: Mixed

• Asia-Pac stocks are mixed with a mostly negative bias in the major indices as risk sentiment is dampened amid a sell-off in the tech sector.

ASX 200: -0.3%

• Mildly declined with the index pressured by weakness in miners after BHP reported weaker output.

Nikkei 225: -2.8%

• Fell beneath the 67,000 level with chip-related stocks over-represented in the list of worst performers.

KOSPI -6.1%

• Triggered sidecars as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix slumped alongside the semiconductor sell-off.

Hang Seng & Shanghai Comp: Hang Seng +2.0% / Shanghai Comp -1.0%

• Chinese markets are mixed with the mainland pressured following disappointing loans and financing data, while the Hong Kong benchmark rallied amid strength in hyperscalers following reports that US companies were increasingly adopting open-weight Chinese AI models and that Alibaba's Qwen AI would be integrated into Apple Intelligence in China.

US Equity Futures: Marginally positive

• Price action is rangebound following recent choppy price action amid softer inflation metrics and the ongoing geopolitical backdrop, while the spotlight gradually shifts to earnings.

European Equity Futures +0.2%

• Indicate a slightly higher cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.2% after the cash market closed with losses of 0.2% on Wednesday.