Asia-Pacific equity markets mostly climbed on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill on Nov. 13, 2025, ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. The news removed a near-term political overhang for global risk assets and helped push Japan’s Nikkei 225 higher, while other regional benchmarks posted mixed gains. SoftBank Group shares fell again after the company disclosed an October sale of its entire $5.8 billion Nvidia stake. Broader regional moves reflected a combination of U.S. market momentum, local corporate headlines and fresh domestic data from Australia.
Key takeaways
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.43% to close at 51,281.83 on Nov. 13, 2025, while the Topix climbed 0.67% to 3,381.72 after hitting an intraday record of 3,389.12 earlier in the session.
- SoftBank Group shares dropped 3.38% for a second day after the group said it sold its full $5.8 billion Nvidia position in October to support AI-related investments.
- South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.49% to finish at 4,170.63 and the Kosdaq rose 1.31% to 918.37 in volatile trading.
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 pared losses to fall 0.52% to 8,753.4 as October unemployment eased to 4.3%, below the Reuters poll expectation of 4.4% and September’s 4.5% reading.
- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.56% and China’s CSI 300 advanced 1.21%; India’s Nifty 50 increased 0.47%.
- U.S. markets supported sentiment: the Dow closed up 326.86 points at 48,254.82 on Wednesday, while the S&P 500 rose 0.06% to 6,850.92 and the Nasdaq fell 0.26% to 23,406.46. U.S. futures were slightly lower in early Asian trade.
- The Australian dollar strengthened to 0.6556 against the U.S. dollar after the jobs data, reducing near-term expectations for an RBA rate cut.
Background
The funding bill signed by President Trump on Nov. 13, 2025, ended a protracted federal shutdown that had been weighing on investor sentiment. While the bill restores government operations, markets still assess the broader fiscal and political implications for economic policy and risk appetite. Historically, U.S. fiscal impasses have produced bouts of volatility in global markets; this resolution removed one immediate source of uncertainty ahead of year-end positioning. For Asia-Pacific markets, moves were also shaped by domestic corporate developments and key economic releases from Australia and China.
In Japan, strong corporate earnings, a weaker yen in prior months and domestic monetary policy dynamics have supported record highs on the Topix this year. South Korea’s markets respond both to global technology demand and to local capital flows, while Hong Kong and mainland Chinese indices are sensitive to regulatory signals and macro data. Australia’s labour-market surprise added another local driver, illustrating how domestic statistics can quickly change expectations for central bank policy.
Main event
Market reaction in Tokyo was constructive: the Nikkei and Topix climbed after Asian trading opened, led by cyclicals and exporters gaining on the reduction of U.S. policy uncertainty. The Topix briefly touched 3,389.12, a session high, before settling slightly lower but still posting a notable gain. SoftBank shares were a clear outlier; the group confirmed it disposed of its $5.8 billion Nvidia stake in October, a move investors interpreted as portfolio reshaping to back artificial intelligence bets.
In Seoul, trading was choppy but positive overall, with the Kospi ending higher by 0.49% amid mixed sector performance. Small-cap names on the Kosdaq outperformed, rising 1.31% as risk appetite returned. Hong Kong stocks benefited from a combination of regional spillover and firming sentiment toward Chinese equities, pushing the Hang Seng up 0.56% while the CSI 300 advanced 1.21%.
Australia’s market was pressured earlier in the session but recovered as the unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in October, a surprise improvement relative to the Reuters poll of 4.4% and September’s 4.5%. That result trimmed the probability of an early rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia, supporting the Australian dollar and moderating downside in the S&P/ASX 200.
Analysis & implications
The immediate market reaction illustrates how U.S. fiscal clarity can ripple through global asset prices by removing a headline source of uncertainty. With the U.S. shutdown resolved, market focus may shift to economic data, corporate earnings and central bank communications ahead of year-end. Equity markets often stage relief rallies after political shocks are removed, but the durability of gains depends on underlying growth and earnings signals across regions.
SoftBank’s divestment of its Nvidia holding underscores a broader industry trend: corporate portfolio rebalancing to prioritize artificial intelligence and related investments. While the $5.8 billion sale reduced exposure to a high-profile chipmaker, the proceeds—according to company disclosures—are intended to fund AI initiatives, a strategic preference that could reshape capital allocation across tech investments regionally.
Australia’s unexpectedly lower unemployment rate complicates the outlook for RBA easing. Markets now price a reduced chance of near-term loosening, which helps the currency but can be a headwind for interest-rate-sensitive equity sectors. Across Asia, central banks and policymakers will weigh domestic inflation and labour conditions against global growth risks when setting guidance into 2026.
Comparison & data
| Index | Move | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | +0.43% | 51,281.83 |
| Topix | +0.67% (intraday record 3,389.12) | 3,381.72 |
| Kospi | +0.49% | 4,170.63 |
| Kosdaq | +1.31% | 918.37 |
| S&P/ASX 200 | -0.52% | 8,753.4 |
| Hang Seng | +0.56% | — |
| CSI 300 | +1.21% | — |
The table above summarizes index moves and closing levels reported on Nov. 13, 2025. Regional performance varied: mainland Chinese and small-cap Korean stocks outperformed while some large-cap Japanese and Australian names displayed more mixed dynamics. The U.S. Dow’s fresh highs also supported risk assets, though Nasdaq weakness signaled a patchwork day for growth-oriented names.
Reactions & quotes
Asia-Pacific shares mostly rose after President Trump signed a funding bill, ending the U.S. government shutdown.
CNBC (media)
The sale of the Nvidia stake was confirmed as completed in October and linked to funding increased AI investments.
SoftBank Group (company statement)
The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in October, below expectations and down from September’s 4.5%.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (official)
Unconfirmed
- Whether SoftBank’s entire Nvidia sale was executed solely to fund a single AI partnership remains unverified beyond company disclosure language.
- Short-term persistence of the post-funding-bill rally is uncertain and will depend on upcoming earnings and macro prints rather than the funding resolution alone.
Bottom line
The immediate market takeaway is that the U.S. funding bill removed a headline political risk that had dampened sentiment, allowing Asian equities to rally modestly on Nov. 13, 2025. Nevertheless, regional performance diverged: some markets rose on positive spillovers while individual corporate stories—most notably SoftBank’s asset sale—dampened returns for specific names. Investors should watch upcoming economic releases and corporate earnings for confirmation that the rally has breadth.
Key near-term indicators to monitor include U.S. economic data and earnings, China’s policy signals for growth support, and further Australian labour-market or inflation updates that could change RBA expectations. Together, these factors will determine whether the relief that followed the funding bill evolves into a sustained market trend.
Sources
- CNBC — news report summarizing market moves and corporate disclosures (media)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — official labour-force release (official)
- SoftBank Group — company disclosures and investor communications (company)