Asia / Pacific

Malaysia can continue to provide subsidies for a widely used fuel, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, amid the surge in oil prices worldwide due the Middle East conflict. The government has decided to 'keep the price for RON95 fuel at 1.99 ringgit per litre ($0.51) despite a spike in prices. Checks with the state energy company Petronas have confirmed this. Anwar, in a televised statement, said that the?reserves of oil will last until May. Anwar stated that the government was able to protect the people against the full impact of the rising prices for oil and other essentials. He...

Indian benchmark shares fell Wednesday - after a recovery in the previous session - as investors were uncertain about the impact of the Middle East War on inflation and growth. Oil prices were also fluctuating. As of 10:40 a.m. IST, the Nifty?50 dropped 0.7% to 24,087 while the BSE Sensex fell 0.8% to 77.556.77. In early trading, the indexes were unchanged. Devarsh Vakil is the head of Prime Research for HDFC Securities. He said: "There's still considerable geopolitical unrest and that's why markets are on edge." Israel and the United States launched what some have described as the war’s most...

Investors bought down stocks and worries about oil supplies due to the Middle East conflict were eased. The Nikkei rose 2.3% as of 0220 GMT to 55,512.21, while the Topix increased 1.8% to 3,513.66. Naoki Fukuwara, Shinkin Asset Management's senior fund manager, said that investors were buying at lower prices, especially in areas that had been heavily sold off and where there are signs of a rebound. Price action has also been strong. Artificial intelligence-related shares, which suffered a heavy loss on Monday due to pessimism about the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, were the top performers of the...

The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the issue, reported that the 'International Energy Agency' has proposed the 'largest release in oil reserves history to lower a soaring crude price? due to the U.S./Israel war against Iran. WSJ reported that the release of oil would be greater than the 182,000,000 barrels?of crude oil that IEA members countries released in two releases in 2022, when Russia began its full-scale 'invasion' of Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported that the IEA will convene an extraordinary meeting with its member states 'on Tuesday. They are expected to 'decide on the proposal -...

Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, said on Tuesday that the American public would see oil and gas prices fall rapidly once the joint Israeli-U.S. war against Iran is fully accomplished. Leavitt told reporters that the increase in gas and oil prices was temporary and the operation would result in lower prices over the long-term. Prices of oil on Monday soared to $119 per barrel, their highest level?since June 20, 2022. Supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and other producers have stoked concerns about major disruptions in global supply. Leavitt said that Trump's energy team was closely monitoring the markets and...

'Britain and its allies are working on a variety of options to support commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz despite iranian threats. The spokesman for Prime Minister Keir 'Starmer said that Tuesday, as the U.S. - Israel war against Iran is roiling oil prices. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has said that the war will end "soon." He also stated that the U.S. would escalate its attack if Iran attempted to block tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Downing Street read out a statement after speaking with the leaders of Germany, Italy and France late on Monday. They...

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...

Rio Tinto increased its offer of a?aluminum premium to?Japanese customers to $350 per ton for April-June primary shipments. This is up 79% compared to the current quarter. The revised offer, which is 40% more than Rio's prior proposal of $250, would, if accepted by the client, be the highest premium since the April-June 2015 quarter, when it reached $380 per ton. Japan is the largest?Asian metal importer and the premiums it agrees to pay each quarter for primary metal shipments over the London Metal Exchange cash price are the benchmarks for the region. Global?producers in late February offered Japanese buyers...

Aluminum prices in Shanghai recovered on Wednesday, as the focus shifted to the loss in global supply due to conflict in the Middle East. This followed a brief sell-off that was triggered by Donald Trump's remarks about the Iran War. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded aluminium contract closed the daytime trading up 2.6% to 25,215 Yuan ($3,672.23) a metric ton. The contract fell 1.41% Tuesday, as Trump's remarks suggesting that the Iran War would soon be over temporarily eased supply concerns. Benchmark three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange eased 0.19% per ton to $3,399.5 by 0802 GMT. It...

Iron ore futures climbed on Wednesday as the anticipated recovery of hot metal production sparked demand for feedstocks. Lower shipments by top suppliers also provided support. As of 0317 GMT, the?most-traded?contract for May iron ore?on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was up 0.96% to 788 yuan (114.76 dollars) per metric ton. The benchmark April Iron Ore traded at the Singapore Exchange was up 0.49% to $104.25 per ton. After production restrictions during the annual Parliament holiday, hot metal output is expected to recover. This will spur demand for feedstock. According to a Shanghai Metals Market note, the prices of iron ore...

After a short sell-off caused by the 'U.S.,' aluminium prices recovered on Wednesday as attention shifted to the loss of supply in the Middle East due to conflict. Donald Trump's comments on the Iran War. As of 0213 GMT, the most-traded aluminum contract on Shanghai Futures Exchange increased 2.31%, to 25,275 Yuan ($3,680.81) a metric ton. The contract fell 1.41% Tuesday, as Trump's remarks suggesting an end to the Iran war in the near future temporarily cooled supply concerns. The benchmark three-month aluminum?on London Metal Exchange rose 0.5% to $3,423 a ton. On Monday, it reached a high of $3,544....

Investors 'purchased' mining stocks on Wednesday, after a recent sale 'linked to the Middle East War, and stronger iron ore prices and gold prices boosted?the sector. As of 2339 GMT, the S&P/ASX 200 index was up by 0.2% at?8,713.10. The benchmark closed 1.1% higher on Monday. After a recent sell-off sparked by inflation fears linked to volatile energy costs, stocks are now on the road to recovery. The Middle East conflict has nearly erased gains from earlier this year. This leaves the benchmark index flat year-to date. U.S. president Donald Trump predicted that the conflict would end soon, even as...

Local markets rallied in December after Chile's far-right president,?Jose Antonio Kast, was elected on promises of economic expansion, deregulation, and cuts to public spending. But the economic tailwinds are now turbulent, as the iran war has sent the global markets into a tailspin. Kast is now responsible for managing the turmoil. A spokesperson from Kast's economic team stated that there were no contingencies planned for the moment, but didn't provide any further details on how recent events would affect their economic agenda. Kenneth Bunker is a political expert and academic from the University of San Sebastian. He said that Kast...

Rio Tinto announced the first commercial shipment of lithium carbonate from its Rincon project, located in Salta Province in Argentina. This marks the official start of exports. In a late-Monday statement, the company said that a?shipment of?200 tons in 10 containers had left the Port of Buenos Aires for Shanghai, China. It will be received at a warehouse and distributed in Asian markets. The Rincon project will add a production capacity of 53,000 tons per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate starting in 2028. Anglo-Australian Mining Company, a mining company based in the United States, said that Argentina is a key...

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...