ASEAN Countries

On Friday, global equity markets fell and Treasury yields increased as the markets neared the end of a turbulent period marked by the efforts of central banks around the globe to curb inflation. Wall Street's three main indexes fell, with real estate, materials and utilities stocks leading the declines. The Dow and S&P 500 were both on course to lose money for the week, but the Nasdaq would post a gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.4%. The S&P 500 declined 0.2%. And the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1%. Stocks in Europe dropped 1.1%, and they were heading for a...

As markets neared the end of the week, marked by an international push to curb inflation, global shares and bonds fell on Friday. Japan's much-telegraphed increase failed to support the yen. This week's monetary policy was the "prime" focus, as the Middle East war is approaching the seven-month mark and shows few signs of ending. Oil prices are still above $100 per barrel, fueling inflation concerns. After the Bank of Japan increased rates to a record high of 1.25 percent, the Japanese currency was on its way to the biggest daily decline since mid-February. The dollar rose 1% to reach...

The dollar held steady on Friday, as investors reacted to global policymakers stepping up their efforts to curb inflation. The Bank of Japan also joined the fray by delivering an expected rate increase that left the 'yen soft. This week, the focus is on monetary policy responses as the six-month long war in the Middle East continues to show no signs of ending. Oil prices remain above $100 per barrel while inflation worries are stoked around the world. In response to the BOJ's decision to raise interest rates to an all-time high of 1.25 percent to avoid the risk of...

The dollar held steady on Friday, as investors reacted to global policymakers' stepped-up efforts to curb inflation. A drop in oil prices improved sentiment ahead of an expected Bank of Japan rate hike. This week, the focus is on monetary policy responses as the six-month long war in the Middle East continues to show no signs of ending. Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel and inflation fears are rife around the world. Brent crude futures fell 1% to $103.7 a barrel on hopes that oil could be supplied from other sources. However, concerns remained about strikes between Saudi Arabia...

The dollar climbed to a seven-week peak on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in more than three year and oil prices dropped. This helped ease a global bond selloff which has been rumbling for months. Bank of England is now the focus, which will likely leave UK rates unchanged later. However, all eyes are on the BoE to see if it indicates a possible November rate hike given the pressures of high energy prices. Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates this Friday. The main European share markets opened 0.2%...

Investors bet that the Federal Reserve will finally get ahead of inflation by delivering the 'first rate increase in over three years' and calming down a global bond saleoff which had sent long-term yields soaring. The U.S. Dollar hit a seven week high against major peers. This was backed by an increase in short-term Treasury rates as markets increased bets that the Fed might have to raise rates again. A move by December is fully priced in. This was a negative for commodities as oil prices fell. All eyes are now on the Bank of England. It is expected that...

Investors bet that the Federal Reserve will finally get ahead of inflation by delivering its 'first rate hike in more than three years, and calm a global bond saleoff which had sent long term yields soaring. The dollar soared to a seven-week high against its major peers, backed by a jump in short-term Treasury yields as markets increased their bets that the Fed may have to raise rates again. A move by December was fully priced in. The dollar reached a seven-week-high against major peers. This was backed by a surge in short-term Treasury rates as markets increased bets that...

The global stock market rose on Wednesday, as the recent rise in oil and government bond yields paused before a crucial U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision later that day. MSCI's global equity index rose 0.1% after falling in the two previous sessions. A four-day losing streak was broken by an index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan, which rose 0.6%. The STOXX Europe 600 index, which is the pan-European benchmark, opened 0.3% higher. Futures that track the U.S. S&P 500 index also rose, after the benchmark index had closed lower for the second consecutive session on Tuesday. The yield on the...

Asian shares struggled on Tuesday, as investors considered Middle East tensions. Industry figures also called for a halt in AI development. Meanwhile, higher oil prices and bond yields heightened caution ahead of 'key' central bank meetings taking place in the U.S. Yemen's Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, launched a new offensive on Saudi Arabia Monday. Riyadh had blamed Iran-backed fighters based in Iraq for an assault on the east-west oil pipeline of the kingdom that could disrupt up to 4% global supply. Gulf Arab states have also delayed planned talks with Iran. Brent crude was up by 1.21% at...

On Monday, the Asian share markets fell as supply concerns caused oil to spike again. Investors braced themselves for interest rate hikes this week in both Japan and the United States. Brent oil prices rose 3% after new attacks on Saudi Arabia, and on ships in the Gulf. This came as nerves were tested following an attack on Saudi Arabia's oil pipelines and the Houthis' advance into Yemen. The meeting between Iran and Gulf Arab States, which was scheduled to take place in Oman on Monday, for the purpose of discussing a deal about opening the Strait of Hormuz has...

On Monday, Asian share markets fell as oil prices spiked again due to supply concerns. Investors were also bracing for interest rate hikes this week in the U.S. and Japan. Brent rose 3% as new strikes against Saudi Arabia and?ships?in the Gulf tested nerves. This was after an attack on Saudi oil pipelines and an advance of Yemen's Houthis, which threatened to worsen wartime disruptions to global energy supply. The meeting between Iran and Gulf Arab States, which was scheduled to take place in Oman on Monday, for the purpose of discussing a deal regarding opening the Strait of Hormuz...

On Friday, global bond yields reached new highs while sharemarkets fell. Soaring oil prices exacerbated inflation risk and investors were scrambling to factor in further policy 'tightening' from central banks around the world. Brent crude futures hit a four-month record of $109.97 per barrel on Friday. Oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz was restricted as Iran and the U.S. traded blows, while the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, took control of Yemen's Mocha port, threatening Saudi Arabian oil exports to the Red Sea. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said that the Houthi advance has gravely threatened maritime traffic...

Indian power producers imported coal at a record high in August, as a heat wave and a decrease in hydropower production boosted electricity consumption, forcing utilities to turn to more expensive overseas supplies. According to local coal traders iEnergy Natural Resources, India's power industry imported more coal in August than ever before, up 85.6% on the previous year to 5.52 millions metric tons. This was their highest level of imports since May 2025. iEnergy reported that 80% or 4.2 millions tons of the imports came from Indonesia. The International Energy Agency stated in a report released last week that India's...

The chief supervisor of the commodity market said that Indonesia will start trading at its new commodity exchange on January 4, 2027. Tin and ferronickel are expected to be included in the opening transactions. According to a presentation made at a parliamentary meeting by Sarjito (as he is known), the chief supervisor, a man who goes by one name, state miners will be among the initial participants in the exchange. The commodity exchange known as ICOMEX is part of the President Subianto’s drive to expand state control over vast?natural resources in Indonesia and their proceeds. In a fiery speech delivered...

Executives said that India's met-coke imports will reach a new record high this year, despite the?antidumping levy implemented in July. Domestic?shortages? and strong demand from pig-iron producers are driving higher overseas purchases. India, which is the second largest crude steel producer in the world after China, will import 6 million metric tonnes of met coke during the fiscal year, which began in April. This represents a 32% increase from the previous year, mostly from Indonesia and Poland. Steelmakers have been opposing import restrictions for more than a month, claiming that domestic production is not enough to meet the demand. In...

Indonesia aims to influence the price of its top commodities in the early stages of operation at its planned 'new commodity exchange. The newly appointed chief regulator of the country said this on Wednesday. Jakarta is looking to become a global 'price maker. Indonesia's new strategic commodities and minerals exchange, which is part of President Prabowo Subianto's ambition to increase state control over vast natural resources in the country, will launch on January 1, 2020. Prabowo, in a fiery address to the parliament last month said that the resource-rich nation would prefer to keep its commodities rather than sell them...

China's aluminum smelters are booming this year. Shanghai's aluminium price has risen to three-month highs. Raw material costs have been historically low, and margins remain strong. Each producer is encouraged to run their plant at full capacity. Indeed, national output has exceeded Beijing's 45-million-metric-ton capacity cap for the past couple of months, as smelters flex their full production ?potential. However, the mandated ceiling remains in place. Chinese producers have embraced this reality and are investing heavily in smelter projects abroad. While Donald Trump claims that the United States needs more aluminum "desperately", the world's biggest producer consolidates its position as...

According to the website of the Supreme Court in Singapore, Japan's Mizuho Bank Ltd has filed a lawsuit against the Singapore-based operating entity 'Radiant World' that trades iron ore. A court listing on Friday showed that Mizuho Bank is the banking division of Mizuho Financial Group and it has filed an injunction to stop Radiant World Corporation from doing business. The court listing didn't provide any details about the injunction that was sought. Bloomberg News, citing court documents, reported that another creditor, the?Singapore-based trade-finance company Incomlend is suing Pinkesh Nahar and his company for $34million. Radiant World has been 'frozen...

According to the website of the Singapore Supreme Court, Japan's Mizuho Bank Ltd filed a case against the Singapore Iron Ore Trader Radiant World's 'operating entity'. A court listing revealed that Mizuho Bank is the banking division of Mizuho Financial Group and they are seeking an injunction to stop Radiant World Corporation from doing business. Could not find any other public legal action taken by a Radiant World creditor. Radiant World accounts have been frozen by some banks and trading houses have cut ties with the company over concerns that it had submitted invalid invoices to raise funding. Singapore Police...

The London Zinc Market remains a hazardous place for "bears". Metal that was expected to drop in price this year has risen. London Metal Exchange's (LME) 3-month zinc?hit a new four-year high of $3,858 a metric ton Tuesday morning. The relentless rally has been accompanied by an abrupt?reduction in LME time-spreads. The premium for metals delivered over a three-month period The price of flexed steel has dropped to $131 per tonne, which is a throwback to October last year when it reached a record high of $323 a tonne. The market tightening is due to the low LME inventories that...

London's zinc market is still a hazardous place for bears. Metal that was expected to drop in price this year has risen. The London Metal Exchange's (LME) 3-month zinc reached a new four-year high of $3,858 a metric ton on Tuesday morning. The relentless rally has been accompanied by an abrupt contraction of the LME time spreads. This is particularly worrying for holders of zinc short positions. The premium for cash Metal?over a three-month delivery The price of a ton has dropped to $131, which is a significant drop from last October's record high of $323. The tightening market this...

FTSE Russell, a global index provider, published a list on Friday of 'Vietnamese Securities eligible for inclusion in their global equities benchmark indexes. This is a major'step before the reclassification of a southeastern Asian nation - due to take place next month. The move is made ahead of Vietnam being upgraded to emerging market status in September by the index provider. FTSE Russell estimates that this could result in up to $6 billion in passive capital flowing into the country's stock markets. FTSE Russell has named?27 Vietnamese companies eligible for inclusion in its FTSE Global All Cap Index. Vietcombank and...

China's and Indonesian's defence and foreign ministers will meet on Friday. Security, politics, and economic issues are expected to dominate the talks. Jakarta is trying to maintain a balance between its ties with both Beijing and Washington, amid tensions and trade disputes in the South China Sea. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Jakarta for the first two years and meet with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono. He will also participate in the "2+2 meeting" between the defence ministers of the two countries. Arifianto Sofiyanto (an Indonesian official in the East Asia division of the foreign ministry) told a Thursday...

A?presidential spokesman said that the planned Indonesian exchange for "minerals and?strategic commodity" would likely include palm oil and nickel, as the government prepares to launch the bourse at?January 1st. The plan was announced by President Prabowo during his?proposal for the 2027 budget speech on Friday. He said that Indonesia's goal was to establish its own benchmark price for many key commodities. Prabowo's latest effort to use the vast natural resource reserves to boost the economy is to create an exchange. He announced policies to centralise commodity imports in May. Southeast Asia is home to the largest economy in the world....