East Asia

According to data and analysts, Asian refining margins are at their highest level since 2022 due to Iranian threats against shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. These threats have disrupted crude flow and forced refineries to reduce runs. As a result of the U.S. - Iran war, trade has been suspended through the chokepoint which typically handles over 20% of global daily oil supplies. Singapore's complex refinery margins LSEG data shows that the market was roiled on Wednesday by fears of a further reduction in refining runs, which could lead to a tightening of fuel supplies. China and Thailand also...

People with knowledge of the discussions said that Chinese investors Guoxin Guotong Fund and CNIC Corporation are considering selling their 33.3% share in Spanish 'gas network operator Redexis' as the country prepares to introduce a new framework for remuneration. Three sources confirmed that the two investors had begun a process of hiring?advisers in order to evaluate the sale. Two sources say that a?deal could value Redexis between 2 billion and 2.5 billion?euros (2.3-$2.9billion). * In 2018, the two Chinese investors bought?33.3% Redexis. According to the website of Redexis, pension funds?Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension?and Universities?Superannuation Scheme own each 33.3%. Sources say that pension...

This week, investors have been dumping dollars amid the turmoil in Middle East. It is a reminder of the potential rocky transition from a dollar-centric world to a multi-polar, fractured one. Investors seeking relative safety in the world's most liquid asset, the dollar, are boosting its value as the war that has spread across the region since the joint U.S. and Israeli assault on Iran last Saturday. Equity indices which were the best performers in the first two months of this year have plummeted. South Korea's KOSPI, which rose?50% in February, has fallen nearly 20% in just two days. The...

Bloomberg News reported that many Chinese 'financial companies are reducing their exposure to Middle Eastern debt due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The report stated that a major bank had taken the unusual step of limiting the drawdown on a bi-lateral loan to one?of Abu Dhabi's financial entities. It did not name the bank. According to the report, another mid-sized lender wants to sell down portions of syndicated loan to Middle Eastern borrowers. This includes sovereign wealth fund ADQ’s $4?billion facility that was agreed upon last year. Bloomberg reported that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has asked...

Bloomberg News reported that many Chinese financial firms have reduced their exposure to Middle Eastern debt as a growing conflict intensifies scrutiny over 'the Asian country’s extensive lending in the'region. The report said that a major bank had taken the unusual step of limiting the drawdown of a bilateral credit to one of Abu Dhabi's financial institutions, but did not name the bank. According to the report, another mid-sized lender aims to reduce portions of syndicated loan facilities to Middle Eastern borrowers. This includes sovereign wealth fund ADQ’s $4 billion facility that was agreed last year. Bloomberg reported that the...

Dubai and Abu Dhabi stocks plunged on Wednesday after they reopened following a two-day suspension in response to Iran's unprecedented wave of missiles and drones?attacks against the Gulf nation. The closing of the market froze the trading of billions of dollars worth of listed assets, as investors awaited clarification on the'scale of damage caused by the weekend strikes which 'hit airports and ports in both emirates, along with residential areas. Dubai's main share index fell 4.7% on a broad basis, led by Emaar Properties, a blue-chip developer, who dropped 4.9%. Budget airliner Air Arabia also declined 5%. In Abu Dhabi...

According to the ministry, Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, told Gideon Saar, his Israeli counterpart, that China opposes the military strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, and demanded an "immediate cessation" of hostilities. "Force is not a solution to problems. It often causes new ones, and has serious long-term effects." It quoted Wang in a phone call as saying that the real value of military power is not in combat but in preventing conflict. The U.S. and Israeli air 'war against Iran' has caused explosions in?Tehran, Beirut and around the globe. Wang said that China is committed...

The majority of Gulf stock exchanges ended lower on Tuesday. Qatar's benchmark index continued to decline as the country suspended liquefied gas production in response to an escalating air war in the area, while Egypt?lost for a third consecutive day. Israel expanded its campaign by launching 'new' strikes on Iran and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel, several Gulf States and a British base in Cyprus. QatarEnergy's, a state-owned company in Qatar, whose 82% clients reside in Asia, had planned to declare force majeure for its LNG shipments following Iranian drone attacks against facilities at the vast...

The majority of Gulf'stock markets fell Tuesday. Qatar's benchmark continued to fall after the country stopped liquefied natural gas production amid a escalating air war in the area, and Egypt also?fell? for a third consecutive day. Israel expanded its campaign by launching new strikes against Iran and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel, several Gulf States and a British base in Cyprus. QatarEnergy's, a state-owned company in Qatar, whose 82% clients reside in Asia, had planned to declare force majeure for its LNG shipments following Iranian drone attacks against facilities at the sprawling Ras Laffan Complex. Qatar...

The majority of Gulf stock markets fell on Tuesday. The benchmark Qatar index continued to decline after the country stopped?liquefied gas production amid an escalating air conflict in the region. Israel has 'extended' its campaign by launching new attacks on Iran and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel, several Gulf States, and a British base in Cyprus. QatarEnergy's, a state-owned company in Qatar, whose 82% clients reside in Asia, had planned to declare force majeure for its LNG shipments following Iranian drone attacks against facilities at the sprawling Ras Laffan Complex. Qatar's benchmark stock index fell 0.9%,...

Qatar led the way in early trading on Tuesday, following its halting of liquefied gas production. Middle East tensions were rising and regional energy shutdowns were weighing on risk sentiment. Inflation fears also increased. Israel has intensified its campaign by launching new attacks on Iran and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel, several Gulf States and a British air base in Cyprus. This raises concerns about a possible prolonged conflict. Qatar's benchmark stock index fell 1.2%. This was due to a 2.2% decline in the Qatar National Bank. The largest lender in the Gulf by assets. In...

Fuel stations in Sri Lanka were crowded on Monday, as fears of oil shortages grew due to the conflict in Iran. The island nation is still recovering from its deep financial crisis. A nation of 22 million people is struggling to recover from a crisis caused by a record dollar shortfall in 2022. The IMF has provided a $2.9 billion credit programme. Sri Lanka was at the height of their problems when they faced a massive shortage of fuel for several months. This led to huge protests, and eventually the ousting of the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. As U.S.-Israeli?strikes against...

On Wednesday, copper prices recovered from two sessions of losses due to better than expected private factory data from China, the top metals consumer. The aluminium price rose to its highest level in more than a month, on the back of supply concerns resulting from the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This region is a major producer of this metal. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.5%, to $13,150 per metric ton at 1030 GMT. LME copper has fallen 3% in the last two sessions due to fears that the Mideast conflict will hinder...

Investors and traders were cautious on Wednesday as they awaited the annual parliamentary meeting of the world's second-largest country, which will begin March 5. The daytime trading of the most traded iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange closed up 0.4% to 752 yuan (US$108.73) per metric ton. As of 0700 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was down?0.26% to $98.75 per ton. Investors closely monitored?cues of China's macroeconomic and industrial policy trend in order to gauge?demand for steel and its components. Analysts expect Premier Li Qiang to announce, in his report, on the first...

Aluminum prices rose Tuesday, as traders were 'alert' to the supply risks in the Middle East due to the U.S.-Israeli air war on Iran that spilled over into neighboring countries. Benchmark Aluminium on the London Metal Exchange rose 2.1% to $3,260 per metric tonne in open-outcry official trading, after reaching a month-high of $3,315. Middle East exports aluminium via the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 8 percent of global capacity. Iran threatened to attack any ship that tried to cross the Strait on Monday. Aluminium producers have halted premium offers for Japanese buyers in the second quarter. Norsk Hydro...

The estimate of mineral resources at the?mine that Rare Earths Norway is developing, Europe's biggest rare earth project has increased by?81% from the last evalution two years ago, the privately owned firm announced on Tuesday. The Fen project, which is being developed by the company, would help Europe to reduce its dependence on China as the dominant producer of rare earths. According to a WSP statement, the project has?a total rare earth oxide of 15.9 million metric tonnes in indicated and inferred resource,' It added that the 'new estimate' reflects additional exploration drilling which took place in 2018 and compares...

Two people who are familiar with the discussions say that Japan and India are in talks to explore rare earth deposits together in Rajasthan's arid state. Tokyo is looking to reduce its reliance on China as a source of magnet manufacturing supplies. India's Mines minister G. Kishan Reddy announced last month that three hard rock deposits of rare earth oxides containing 1,29 million metric tonnes had been identified in Rajasthan state and Gujarat in western India. Sources directly involved in decision-making said that Tokyo expressed interest in the Rajasthan deposits, and planned to send experts there. The sources declined to...

Since the emergence of a?U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Greenland, according to a senior Greenlandic government official. Naaja H. Nathielsen, Greenland’s Minister for Business and Mineral Resources, stated that the UK, Canada, and European Union countries have shown the most interest. She said, "On the investor's side, we saw an increase in interest in investing." She said that although Trump expressed an interest in purchasing?Greenland many years ago, it has been "hectic" over the last two months. The Arctic island is a strategically located, mineral-rich autonomous?territory. Trump has 'intensified his rhetoric about gaining control of Greenland...

Aluminum?prices jumped to their highest level?in over a month?on Monday, after U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran fueled concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Iran is a major producer. Benchmark aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange were up 3.1% to $3,236 per metric ton by 1050 GMT, after reaching $3,254 at its highest level since January 29. Investors closely monitor developments in the Strait o'Hormuz. This important trade route for commodities was disrupted when Iran attacked U.S. bases in the region. Neil Welsh, Britannia Global Markets said: "Base metals have risen this morning on the back of concerns...

Iron ore prices recovered from earlier losses and traded higher on Monday as investors focused their attention on potentially?higher shipping rates after the Iran conflict, along with falling shipments?from major suppliers. The most traded iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange closed the daytime trading 0.87% higher, at 754.5 Yuan ($109.64). As of 0731 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on Singapore Exchange was up 0.85% at $99.2 per ton. In a recent note, Zhengxin Futures analysts stated that the rising oil prices due to the U.S. - Iran conflict?increased freight costs and therefore supported iron ore prices....

Iron ore prices fell on Monday. They were impacted by production curbs at China's top steel hub Tangshan as well as a slow recovery of the?steel market after the holiday season and high portside stocks. As of 11:30 GMT, the most traded?iron?ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange fell by 0.13% to $747 yuan (US$108.81) per metric ton. As of 135 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore price on the Singapore Exchange was down 0.16% at $98.2 per ton. Local authorities announced on Saturday that the northern city of Tangshan in China, a key hub for?steel manufacturing, had activated level...

Prices of copper hit a 4-week high on Friday and are on course for a 7th consecutive monthly gain. Demand optimism has outweighed worries about stocks piling up in warehouses registered at major exchanges. The benchmark three-month copper price on the 'London Metal Exchange' rose by 1.3% in open-outcry official trading to $13,482 per metric ton after reaching $13,527, its highest level since January 30. After a wave speculative purchases, the metal used for power and construction reached a record high on January 29, reaching $14,527.50. One metals trader stated that base metals were also supported by the?investment need for...

Hong Kong's?Census and Statistics Department?data on Friday showed that China's net gold imports through Hong Kong rose by 68.7% compared to December. Data showed that the world's top gold consumer imported 20.585 net metric tons of gold in January. This is up from 12.205 tonnes in December. China is the largest gold buyer in the world. Its purchases can have a significant impact on global gold markets. Hong Kong's data might not be a complete picture of Chinese gold purchases, as it is also imported through Shanghai and Beijing. China's total gold imports via Hong Kong increased by 30.4% to...

Iron ore futures recouped their losses on Friday. A tight physical market and high port margins for seaborne ore supported prices. However, upcoming steel production cuts, as well as a tepid demand for feedstocks, curbed the upside. The most traded May iron ore contract on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), which ended the daytime trading 0.27% higher, was 750.5 yuan per metric ton ($109.47). The contract has fallen by 0.8% in the last week and by 5.67% for this month. As of 0705 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange was $98.45 per ton. The contract...