Asia / Pacific

Each financial market crisis differs, but they all rhyme. Parallels are emerging between the 'tremors' now rippling across private credit and the subprime housing in the U.S. that led to 2007-09 Global Financial Crisis. It's not to say that a replay of the historic crash is imminent. There is a growing danger that the increasing stress in the private credit market - i.e., the lack of liquidity, the opaque pricing and the soaring redemptions – could spill?over into the public markets. BlackRock, with its $14 trillion in assets under management, announced?on? Friday that it had limited withdrawals after an influx...

The German fashion group Hugo Boss announced a better-than expected annual operating profit on Tuesday, despite a difficult market environment. It also said that it has not yet felt the impact of the Middle East conflict. The company's earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), which were 391 million euro ($455million) in 2025, are up from 361 millions euros a year ago, and well above the average analyst forecast of 379million euros, according to a poll conducted by the company. Early trading saw a 4% rise in shares of the company. The stock has risen 1.3% from the beginning of the...

These are the most popular?stories from the Wall Street Journal. ? The accuracy of these stories has not been verified by the site. Rio Tinto has said that it is currently in negotiations with Mongolia regarding the Oyu Tolgoi mine, which is one of the largest deposits of?metal required to build data centers and electric vehicles. Shell agreed to sell Jiffy Lube?to Monomoy Capital Partners in a $1.3billion deal. Shell announced that the sale included Jiffy Lube, the?franchisee Premium Velocity Auto, and a network of stores operated by independent franchisees. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are supporting a new...

Oil prices dropped on Tuesday, after hitting a three-year high in the previous session. U.S. president Donald Trump predicted that the Middle East war could be over soon. This eased concerns about disruptions of global oil supply. Brent futures were down $4.17 or 4.2% to $94.79 per barrel at 0345 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), however, was down $3.81 or 4% to $90.96 per barrel. Both contracts had fallen as much as 11 % earlier, before reversing some of their losses. On Monday, oil prices soared to their highest level since mid-2022 as Saudi Arabia and others cut...

Multiple sources claim that Donald Trump may announce an announcement as early as Monday evening to curb the soaring global oil prices in light of the conflict with Iran. According to multiple sources, the White House is concerned that the spike in oil prices after more than a week of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran could hurt U.S. consumers and businesses ahead of November's midterm elections when Trump and his fellow Republicans hope they can retain control of Congress. Two sources familiar with the situation said that Trump was in Florida to address congressional Republicans who were gathered at an annual...

Investors now seriously consider the possibility that a war in the Middle East may create a stagflationary shock, as it did fifty years ago when disruptions to global energy supply sent inflation soaring and harmed growth. Kaspar Hense is the portfolio manager of RBC BlueBay Asset Management. If oil prices continue to rise, the safe-haven status for government bonds, and all other assets, is at risk. Five charts show how stagflation could affect the markets. OIL IS THE KEY Oil prices are at the forefront of the stagflation debate, and now the question is: how long can they continue to...

During a 'online meeting' with the Group of Seven Finance Ministers, Satsuki Katayama, Japanese Finance minister told a press briefing that IEA called for a coordinated release?of emergency?oil reserve during a?online meeting on Monday. Katayama stated that the IEA had asked each country to release oil reserves in a coordinated manner. "In response to current conditions... the G7 has agreed to closely monitor developments on the energy?market, and to take the necessary measures to support the global energy supply. This includes releasing oil reserves." Katayama stated that the IEA and the Ministers were joined by executives from the World Bank,...

Investors are rethinking popular themes and trades of 2026 due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Global equities have plummeted, the dollar has risen and traders have reduced their bets on rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Investors have been preparing for growth this year. "A stagflationary surprise was not part of the plan", said ING's head of global markets Chris Turner. Investors are cautious and still have more to unwind. Here are five popular topics that have been "upended" by the conflict in Middle East. 1/ DOLLAR SHORTS SQUEEZED According to data released by the U.S. regulator...

The oil prices are soaring, while the share market is tumbling on the fear that the escalating U.S./Israeli war against Iran will cut energy'supplies and hamstring industry?all over the world. The following?are?actions?that governments are taking, or plan to take?to reduce the impact of war on their economies. SOUTH KOREAN PLANS FUEL CAPITAL South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced?on?Monday that the authorities will cap domestic fuel prices?for?the first?time in almost 30 years. He said that the country would also "look for energy sources beyond those shipped through the Strait of Hormuz" and a 100 trillion won (67 billion dollars) programme...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Monday that the government would cap domestic gasoline prices for the first time in nearly 30 years to contain a price spike after the Middle East conflict sent global crude oil prices sharply higher. At an emergency meeting to discuss the Middle East Crisis, Lee stated that the government would "boldly and swiftly" implement a maximum pricing system on petroleum products which have seen recent price increases. In his opening remarks, Lee stated that the current crisis is "a significant burden" on our economy which is heavily dependent on global trade as...

On Sunday, Trump administration officials defended the 'decision' to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil and predicted that gasoline prices would spike sharply in response to the Iran War. Chris Wright, the Energy Secretary of the United States and U.S. The Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that a waiver granted last week allowing Indians to purchase Russian oil will ease pressure on the global markets. Waltz told NBC's 'Meet 'the Press' that the 30-day pause would allow millions of barrels of crude oil, sitting on ships, to be sent to Indian refineries. Wright said on CNN's "State...

The majority of 'Gulf' stock markets were up in the early trade on Sunday. The Saudi index was up for a fifth consecutive session after the?Iranian?temporary governing council agreed to stop attacks on neighboring nations, unless they originated on their own territory. Saudi Arabia told Tehran it supports a diplomatic solution to Iran's conflict with the U.S. but that continued attacks against the kingdom and its energy sector may push Riyadh into a similar response, according to sources. Saudi Arabia's benchmark.TASI index rose 2%. All of its constituents posted?gains led by energy and material stocks. Brent oil prices surged on...

Aluminum prices fell on Tuesday as profit-taking was a factor, while President Donald Trump's promise of a "rapid end to the Middle East War" eased supply concerns. As of 1030 GMT, the benchmark three-month price for?aluminum on London's Metal Exchange had fallen by 1.2% to $3,343 per metric ton. On Monday, the contract reached its highest level since March 2022, at $3,544, as concerns grew over possible shutdowns of Gulf Smelters who are unable to ship goods through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump predicted on Monday that the conflict would be over quickly, but warned that he'd escalate it if...

Australia's Lynas Rare ?Earths has revamped its supply agreement with ?Japan Australia Rare Earths, securing a firm annual commitment ?for 5,000 tonnes of ?neodymium-praseodymium, a key ?rare-earth magnet ?material. Japan Australia Rare Earths has committed to buying half of Lynas' total heavy rare Earth production. JARE, a joint venture between the state-run Japan Organization?for Metals and Energy Security and Sojitz Corp., has provided Lynas A$200,000,000?in order to increase production of heavy and light rare earth materials. CEO Amanda Lacaze said the deal would provide Japan's industry with "reliable" supplies of rare earth products. The agreement keeps Lynas’ total capacity of...

Aluminum prices fell on 'Tuesday as profit-taking impacted the market. Donald Trump's promise to end a Middle East conflict quickly eased supply concerns. After hitting its highest level since January 30, at 25,860 Yuan per metric tonne, the most traded aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange has pared earlier losses and closed daytime trade at 24,835 Yuan ($3,611.42). The benchmark three-month aluminum on the London?Metal Exchange dropped 0.78% at $3,359 a ton as of 0744 GMT. On Monday, the contract reached its highest level since March 2022. It was $3,544 per ton. Trump said on Monday that he expected...

Iron ore futures reversed previous losses on Tuesday. This was due to a?anticipated increase in hot metal production as construction activity resumes?in China and spurs demand for feedstock. The May contract for iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange traded 0.26% higher, at 784 Yuan ($113.95). As of 0715 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was up 0.76% at $103.85 per ton. After March 11, the government will lift production restrictions for the duration of the annual parliamentary session, which is expected to lead to an increase in demand for steelmaking raw materials. Steel demand typically...

The Financial Times reported that Mongolia wants to renegotiate "unfair" terms for Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi copper mine worth $18 billion. The newspaper reported that the Mongolian Prime Minister, Gombojavyn Zaandanshatar, warned Rio in a Monday meeting about the "unfairness" of the current deal. He added that the "situation feels like the Mongolians and their parliament are being misled", the paper said. The report stated that Zandanshatar, along with other government officials, will meet Rio executives this week, including head of copper Katie Jackson to discuss the terms of the deal. Mongolia holds 34% of Oyu Tolgoi - one of...

Customs data showed that China's exports grew faster in January and February, keeping it on track to surpass the $1.2 trillion record trade surplus by 2026. Imports of crude oil and?iron ore also increased in the first half of 2026, compared to a year ago. China combined import data from January and February in order to reduce the impact of the Lunar New Year, which was a week long holiday that fell in February. Table of preliminary data on commodity trade Here are some comments from analysts about the commodity data: PEI HAO is an analyst at?FREIGHT INVESTOR SERVICES in...

Iron ore futures in Dalian ended six sessions of gains on Tuesday, as oil prices fell and portside inventories increased. This dip may only be temporary as an expected rise in hot metal production is likely to push demand and prices up. As of 0303 GMT, the most-traded contract for May iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was trading 0.19% lower. It was 780.5 Yuan ($113.35), per metric ton. The benchmark iron ore for April on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.13% to $103.2 per ton. Oil prices fell below $90 Tuesday, after reaching their highest level in over three...

Customs data showed that China's imports of iron ore in the first two months 2026 increased by 10% compared to a year ago, thanks to stronger exports from Australia, a major supplier, and a higher level of domestic demand. In January and February of this year, the world's biggest iron ore consumer imported 210.02 metric tons. This is up from 191.36 metric tons in previous years. Alexis Ellender is an analyst with the ship tracking firm Kpler. She said that this growth was due to Australia's strong exports in December. China combined import data from January and February in order...

Aluminum prices fell on Tuesday as investors rushed to sell their metals after U.S. president Donald Trump promised a "quick end" to the Middle East war, which eased concerns about the metal's availability. As of 0153 GMT, the most traded aluminium contract at the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell 2.88% to 24,465 Yuan ($3,550.95), after reaching its highest level since January 30, when it was 25,860 yuan?per metric ton. Benchmark three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange dropped 2.11% to $3 314 per ton. On Monday, the contract reached its highest level since March 2022. It was $3,544 per?ton. Trump promised...

Analysts and traders say that gold in Dubai trades at a lower price than in London due to flight restrictions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Demand is also subdued because of the uncertainty over the length of the war. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has caused widespread cancellations of passenger flights across the Middle East. This has disrupted the flow of gold through Dubai, a major trading hub that supplies Switzerland, Hong Kong, and India. A Dubai-based dealer said, "The market is still at a discount. However, in thin trade, the variations are wide. They...

Aluminum prices reached four-year-highs on Monday as fears about prolonged shipping disruptions due to the U.S./Israeli war in the Middle East fueled a concern over supplies of the metal. Benchmark aluminium was down?1.5% to $3,394 per metric ton by 1711 GMT, from $3,544 earlier. This is the highest price since March 2022, when the metal prices for transport, construction, and packaging reached a record of $4,073.50. The conflict in the Middle East virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which aluminum produced in that region is shipped to the U.S.A. and Europe. Ed Meir, Marex analyst, said that the Europeans...

Aluminum prices reached four-year-highs on Monday, as concerns over a'supply of metal' were fueled by fears of a prolonged disruption of shipping in the Middle East because of the U.S./Israel war against Iran. Benchmark 'aluminum' traded 1.8% lower, at $3,385 per metric ton. This is the highest price since March 2022, when the metal was used for transport, construction, and packaging, reaching a record of $4,073.50. The conflict in the Middle East has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which aluminum produced in that region is shipped to the U.S. Ed Meir, Marex analyst, said that the Europeans were...