East Asia

South Korea's Parliament is expected to adopt a special law?on Friday to implement Seoul's $350 Billion investment commitments to?strategic?U.S. A trade agreement signed last year covers a number of industries. The law was designed to implement the trade agreement signed by South Korea and the United States in November. Under that agreement, South Korea committed to investing $200 billion into strategic industries in America as well as $150 billion to shipbuilding cooperation. This investment package was linked to Seoul receiving better tariff terms. The bill is expected to be passed by the National Assembly in its plenary meeting on Thursday....

Japanese shares extended their rally on Wednesday for a second day, as investors purchased beaten-down stock and concerns about global oil supplies eased amid the Middle East conflict. The Nikkei closed at 55,025.37 after rising as high as 2.8% earlier, and the Topix edged 0.9% higher to 3,698.85. Naoki Fukuwara, Shinkin Asset Management's senior fund manager, said that investors were buying dips in areas with the highest levels of selling, where there are signs of a resurgence. The price action was also strong. Artificial intelligence-related shares, which were hit hard on Monday due to pessimism about the U.S./Israeli war against?Iran...

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...

Each financial market crisis differs, but they all rhyme. Parallels are emerging between the tremors rippling now through private credit, and those that led to the Global Financial Crisis in 2007-09. It's not to say that a replay of the historic crash is imminent. There is a growing danger that the mounting pressure in private credit, which includes?opaque prices, scarce or nonexistent liquid, and high redemptions, could spill over to public markets. BlackRock, a?world-leading?asset management firm with over $14 trillion in assets under management, announced on Friday that it had restricted withdrawals from its flagship debt fund following a spike...

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...

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...

The current conflict in Iran could turn into a global crisis if major countries like the United States and China continue to make miscalculations, and retreat to narrow interests. The price of crude is a major focus of media attention. Brent crude futures, the benchmark, jumped as high as 20%, to $111.04 per barrel, the highest level since July 2022. The price of refined fuels like gasoline, diesel and jet fuel has risen even more than crude oil, but this is still not as alarming to consumers. Jet fuel was the main driver of the explosive increase in refined products...

Share markets fell on concerns that the escalating U.S. - Israeli war 'on Iran would squeeze energy supplies around the globe and hamstring industry. Here are some?actions governments are taking or plan to take in order to lessen the?impact on their economies of war. SOUTH KOREAN PLANS FUEL CAPITAL South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Monday that the government would cap domestic fuel costs for the first time since nearly 30 years. He said that the country would also seek other sources of energy than those shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. A 100 trillion won ($67 billion),...

Share markets are down on concerns that a U.S. - Israeli war against Iran is escalating and will lead to a squeeze on energy supplies around the world. Here are some?actions? that governments have taken?or? plan to take in order to lessen the impact the war has on their economies. SOUTH KOREAN PLANS FUEL CAPITAL South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Monday that the government would be capping domestic fuel prices for nearly 30 years. The country will also look for sources ?of energy beyond supplies shipped via the Strait of Hormuz, and a 100 trillion won ($67...

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...

The United States, China and other major countries are making miscalculations, and retreating to their narrow interests, which threaten to turn the conflict in Iran into an international crisis for the supply of refined oil products. The media focuses a lot on the price for crude oil. Brent crude futures, which are the benchmark, jumped up to 20% in the early Asian trading on Monday, reaching $111.04 per barrel. This is the highest level since July 2022. The price of refined fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, has risen even more than crude oil. These are the fuels...

The U.S. and Israel war against?Iran disrupted oil imports from the Middle East into?Asia. Some Asian refineries had to reduce their runs, while petrochemical firms declared force majeure. The newest developments are listed below: Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp, a major ?Chinese ?refiner backed by Saudi Aramco, has shut a 200,000-barrel-per-day unit, bringing forward maintenance in response to the Middle East conflict's impact on crude supply. Two industry sources said that FREP (Fujian Refining and Petrochemical Co.), a Chinese refiner backed up by Aramco and operating its 80,000 bpd unit – its smallest – had shut down its 80,000 bpd unit for...

After a brief drop in prices triggered by comments made by the U.S. Donald Trump's comments on the?Iran war. Benchmark aluminum?on the London Metal Exchange?was up 1.1% at $3,444 per metric ton as of 1704 GMT. It reached $3,544 per ton earlier this week, its highest level since April 2022. Trump predicted on Monday that the conflict would be over well before his four-week timeline. Due to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, the war has effectively "frozen" shipments and threatened global supplies of aluminum used for transport, construction and packing. Around seven million metric tonnes of?aluminium smelting is...

After a brief drop in prices triggered by Donald Trump's comments on the Iran war, aluminium prices rose?on Wednesday. Benchmark aluminium at the London Metal Exchange was 1.1% higher, trading at $3.442 per metric ton. It reached $3,544 per ton earlier this week, its highest level since April 2022. Trump predicted on Monday that the conflict would be over well before the four-week timeline he set out. Due to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, the war has effectively frozen shipments and posed a threat to global supplies of aluminium for use in packaging, construction and transport. Around seven...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

London Metal Exchange announced?on Monday? that the existing limits on'rent' charged by its warehouse network?could be replaced with a daily fixed rate of load-out. The LME may require that daily, 1.5% of the metal in its warehouses be loaded onto warrants - title documents conferring ownership. The current system reduces rent to 'zero' if a storage facility fails to deliver the metal required within 80 days. The consultation is open until May 8 and will look at exempting cancellations over 10,000 metric tonnages from the 1.5% requirement. This would ensure that larger warehouses do not feel discouraged from accepting more...

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...

The escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East has fueled concerns over a'shortage of global supplies. This is countering downward pressure on demand due to a stronger dollar. The benchmark?three-month Aluminium on the London Metal Exchange reached its highest level since March 31, 2020, earlier in the session, when it hit $3,544 per ton. By 0706 GMT, it was up 0.75% to $3,472 per metric ton. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded aluminium contract closed the daytime session up 1.61% to 24,950 yuan (US$3,607,84) per tonne after reaching its highest level since January 30, at 25,860?yuan. The...

The price of aluminium in 'London has reached its highest level for nearly four years, due to the conflict in the Middle East, which is escalating. This increased concerns about a possible shortage in global supplies. The benchmark?three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange reached its highest level since March 31, 2020, earlier in the session, when it hit $3,544 a metric ton. By 0305 GMT, it was up 1.77% to $3,507 per metric ton. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded aluminium contract rose by 3.29%, to?25.310 yuan per ton ($3,658.15), after reaching its highest level since January 30, at...

The price of iron ore rose on Friday as the?increasing restrictions' on China's top buyer BHP to buy new seaborne cargoes raised supply concerns, which outweighed declining demand. As of 0206 GMT, the?most traded iron ore?contract at China's Dalian Commmodity Exchange (DCE)? grew 0.85% to $768 yuan ($111.21), a metric tonne. As of 0156 GMT, the benchmark April iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange rose 1.03% to $101.05 a ton. People with knowledge of the situation said that China's state iron ore buyer instructed traders to purchase fewer seaborne shipments of BHP's flagship product: Mac fines and lumps. China's...