[MARKET UPDATE] Nikkei 225 opens -0.4% while KOSPI continues to outperform (+0.3%); US equity futures continue to drift lower (ES -1%, NQ -1.3%); JGBs softer ahead of 20-year auction

The Nikkei 225's slight decline indicates weakening sentiment among Japanese equities, especially with US futures also drifting lower, suggesting a cautious outlook for broader markets.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 20 Jan 2026, 00:23 UTCOn the live feed at 00:03 UTC — 1 more headline followed before this page went public

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[MARKET UPDATE] Nikkei 225 opens -0.4% while KOSPI continues to outperform (+0.3%); US equity futures continue to drift lower (ES -1%, NQ -1.3%); JGBs softer ahead of 20-year auction

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PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS

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Context

Meanwhile, the KOSPI's outperformance highlights regional divergence, potentially driven by specific domestic factors or economic resilience relative to Japan. The softening of JGBs ahead of the 20-year auction could signal concerns about demand or broader interest rate expectations.

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