Today's Asia Stocks Pulse
Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi hit record highs amid Iran tensions
The Nikkei 225 and Korea’s Kospi surged to fresh all‑time highs, driven by strong earnings and a landmark wage agreement at Samsung Electronics. Investors balanced the rally against heightened geopolitical risk after U.S. strikes in Iran and a fragile cease‑fire.
Philippine Factory Output Growth Slows in January
Philippine manufacturing output grew 1.2% in January, a slowdown from the 2% rise in December and the 3.2% gain a year earlier. The deceleration was driven by declines in food products, non‑metallic mineral products and transport equipment. Capacity utilization edged up to 77.8%, with 28.5% of firms operating near full capacity. Despite the dip, 11 of 19 industry divisions still posted annual gains.
Yangzijiang Maritime Development Gets Shareholder Approval for Share Buyback at EGM
Yangzijiang Maritime announced that shareholders approved a share‑buyback mandate at its extraordinary general meeting, allowing the company to repurchase up to 10% of its issued shares. The resolution garnered votes representing roughly S$1.6 billion, or 99.9% of the shares present. The...
Ayala’s IMI Posts $13.5-M Profit in 2025
Ayala’s Integrated Micro‑Electronics Inc. (IMI) posted a $13.5 million net profit for 2025, marking its return to profitability after a multi‑year restructuring. Revenue reached $996 million and core gross margin rose to 9.6%, up from 7.3% the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA jumped...
Bloomberry Swings to Full-Year Net Loss
Bloomberry Resorts Corp reported a P2.6 billion net loss for 2025, reversing the same amount of profit recorded in 2024. Consolidated EBITDA dropped 39 percent to P10.2 billion, driven by a 23 percent decline in GGR at its flagship Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Overall...
Aboitiz Equity Ventures Net Income up 1% in 2025
Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) posted a modest 1 percent rise in net income for 2025, reaching P18.3 billion, while its consolidated core net income held steady at P25.5 billion. The conglomerate’s diversified portfolio—power, banking and food & beverage—delivered solid earnings, with AboitizPower EBITDA...
Jindal Stainless Flags Possible Shipment Delays to West Asia
Jindal Stainless warned that shipments of stainless steel to West Asia may be delayed due to the escalating conflict affecting maritime routes and airspace. Although the region represents a small portion of its export business, the company highlighted potential transit...
Sensex Slides over 600 Points to 79,412, Nifty Falls 168 Points to 24,597 as Banks Drag; Energy Stocks Buck the...
India's benchmark indices deepened losses on Friday, with the BSE Sensex slipping 603 points to 79,412 and the Nifty 50 dropping 168 points to 24,597. Banking and financial‑services stocks led the decline, as the Nifty Bank fell 763 points, testing...
BOJ Policymaker Himino: Underlying Inflation Gradually Accelerating to 2% Target
Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymaker Hiroshi Himino said underlying inflation is gradually accelerating toward the bank's 2% price‑stability target, while the central bank keeps monetary conditions broadly accommodative. He emphasized that the BOJ will fine‑tune the degree of accommodation but...
Philippines Battles US-Iran War Fuel Crisis with Air Con Limits, Flexible Work Plan
The Philippines, heavily dependent on imported oil, is confronting rising fuel costs driven by Middle East tensions. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government offices to keep air‑conditioners at a minimum of 24 °C and is exploring flexible or four‑day work weeks...
Denso's ¥1.3T Rohm Offer Seen as Undervalued
*DENSO MADE BUYOUT OFFER TO ROHM, DEAL SEEN ABOUT ¥1.3T: NIKKEI Did not fact check attached, but assuming AI overlord is correct on the valuation of Toshiba stake + Prefs, this 1.3T takeover price looks way too low. I'm all for...
Leverage Turns Markets Into Slot Machines
KOSPI: down 12%. Up 9.6%. Flat. Three days. Three completely different markets. That's not investing. That's a slot machine. Leverage creates the illusion of opportunity on the way up and the reality of destruction on the way down. https://t.co/RXuF5WtBHa
Asian Marco Initial Thoughts: Weakness in Markets Continues as Oil Rises. US Payrolls Could Add 'Fuel to the Fire' Tonight....
Asian markets posted a modest rebound on Thursday, with only Vietnam slipping, as rising oil prices and heightened tensions over the US‑Israel strike on Iran weigh on sentiment. The US dollar strengthened and European bond yields climbed, while a poll...
Contrarian Opportunity? Freee 4478 JP Faces Unexpected Negativity
Very surprised by the negativity surrounding Freee 4478 JP. I'm either completely wrong, or in it's a highly contrarian buy. https://t.co/ihtyiQ5SFt
US Blocks India’s Currency Advantage, Mirrors China Policy
Why are we surprised by 👇? I wrote this nearly six years ago, in the context of why the US won’t allow India the same freedom of an undervalued currency that it accorded China: https://t.co/sZ45dDSSRv
Taiwan Shares Surge 844 Points, Post Fifth-Largest Daily Gain
Taiwan's benchmark Taiex index closed up 844.06 points, marking the fifth‑largest single‑day gain on record. The rally was sparked by reports that the United States and Iran might enter negotiations, easing geopolitical tension. Electronics led the advance, rising 3.01%, while...
KOSPI's Memory Chip Weight
What is he on about? KOSPI is like 50% memory chip exposure and earnings estimates have gone up. The people day-trading are local retail investors, but they’re still mostly focused on US tech. https://t.co/ebX1YOmoN2
Japanese Stocks Surge; Fund Gains 6.7% Amid Yen Drag
February was another strong month for the Japanese equity market and for Senjin Capital Fund I. The Fund’s unit price increased 6.7% in AU$ terms, despite a ~3% FX drag from the weakening Yen. The Fund has now returned 48% net of...
KOSPI +9.63% / KOSDAQ +14.10%: Institutional Absorption of AI Supply Chain Bottlenecks
Korean equity markets surged on March 5, with the KOSPI up 9.63% and the KOSDAQ climbing 14.10%, driven by heavy institutional buying in AI‑focused semiconductor equipment firms. Mid‑cap players such as Hanmi Semiconductor (+21.6%) and Wonik IPS (+13.1%) led the rally,...
Avoid All 8 IPOs: Market Conditions Signal
My Final Decision for All IPO : Avoid ❌ So, Out of 8 IPO - I personally asked to avoid all 8 IPO 🥲 It was best decision as per market conditions and situation. 🔴 Because, all of these IPO listed -ve @champ_trader
Harbour Centre Posts $234M Loss, Skips Dividend
Harbour Centre Development Limited 2025 Final Results: • Group loss attributable to equity shareholders amounted to $234 million (2024: $70 million) • Attributable loss to equity shareholders per share was $0.33 (2024: $0.10) • no dividend for the year ended 31 December 2025 https://www1.hkexnews.hk/search/titlesearch.xhtml?lang=en
Vodafone Idea Share Price Gains 3.5% on Reports that DoT Review May Slash Its Licence Fee by 60–65%
Vodafone Idea’s shares jumped over 3.5% to around ₹10.35 after media reports indicated the Department of Telecommunications could slash the company’s licence fee liability by 60‑65%. The DoT has completed the licence‑fee reassessment, with spectrum usage charges to be reviewed...
BNM Holds 2.75% Rate Amid Middle East Uncertainty
BNM maintains OPR 2.75%. BNM mentioned “conflict in Mid East” risk: “The MPC acknowledges the uncertainties from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The impact to the global & Malaysian economy will depend on how these developments evolve....
Tokyo Stocks Rise, Nikkei up 4%, on News of U.S.-Iran Cease-Fire Efforts
Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei index briefly spiked over 4% on Thursday, settling up 1.9% at 55,278 points, while the broader Topix also rose 1.9% to 3,702.67. The rally was sparked by reports that the United States and Iran were negotiating a...
Lee Orders Swift Execution of 100 Tln-Won Financial Package Amid Middle East Crisis
South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung ordered an immediate rollout of a 100 trillion‑won (US $68.3 billion) financial package to stabilise capital markets amid the escalating Middle East conflict. The plan targets volatility in stocks and exchange rates while explicitly avoiding direct government share...
Coal India Shares Rise 4% as Citi Hikes Target Price, Puts Stock in 90-Day Catalyst Watch. Check Details
Citi placed Coal India Ltd on a 90‑day Upside Catalyst Watch and lifted its target price to ₹430, prompting the stock to climb over 4%. The brokerage cited stronger global coal prices and a potential shift from gas to coal...
7 Out of Last 8 Mainboard IPOs Delivered Negative Listing Gains. What Is Going Wrong with India’s IPO Market?
India’s IPO market has stalled, with seven of the last eight main‑board listings debuting below their issue prices. The Nifty’s 6% year‑to‑date decline and heightened volatility have curbed investor appetite for new issues. Overpriced offerings such as Omnitech Engineering and...
Geopolitical Tensions Trigger Oil Supply Shock, Duration Uncertain
I’m on Bloomberg TV tomorrow at 1pm HKT with the wonderful @JoumannaTV on China, India, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and what the widening conflict in Iran and the Middle East means for the region. Short story - we are buyers...
China to Inject 300 Billion Yuan Into State Banks, Deepen Reform of State Financial Firms
China announced a 300 billion yuan capital injection into state‑owned banks via a special treasury bond, coupled with deeper reforms of state financial firms. The move targets major lenders such as ICBC and Agricultural Bank of China to shore up capital...
STI June to December 2025 Earnings up 18%
STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. reported net income of P1.08 billion for the July‑December 2025 period, an 18% increase over the same half‑year in 2024. Gross revenues rose 8% to P2.83 billion. Total student enrollment slipped to 132,941, driven by lower public...
UOBKH’s ‘Alpha Picks’ Outperform STI in February; Keppel, Singtel Added for March
UOB Kay Hian’s Alpha Picks portfolio outperformed the Straits Times Index in February, delivering a 3.9% equal‑weighted gain versus the STI’s 1.8% rise. The brokerage rebalanced for March, adding defensive large‑caps Huating Global, Keppel and Singtel while trimming exposure to...
ICTSI Profit Surges 23% in 2025 on Larger Cargo Volumes
International Container Terminal Services Inc. reported a 23% jump in net income to $1.05 billion for 2025, driven by an 11% rise in cargo volumes to 14.5 million TEUs. Gross revenues climbed 18% to $3.23 billion, while EBITDA increased 21% to $2.14 billion and...
Asia Faces Modest Growth, Rising Defense, Soaring Energy Costs
On @CNBC in an hour to discuss Asia (China and India). China growth target is soft but same as many expected which is 4.5% to 5%. Defence spending rises officially +7% but many say real spending increase higher. The headlines are really about...
Alibaba Demand Fuels Rise of Chinese Memory Makers
Demand from Alibaba and Other Giants Boosts China’s Homegrown Memory Suppliers Wait, are the controls on memory "working" and did they make sense in the first place? https://t.co/c6dfq2skXK
Shares of Aspial Lifestyle up 6% on Proposed Transfer to SGX Mainboard
Aspial Lifestyle’s shares rose roughly 6% after the company announced a proposed transfer to the Singapore Exchange’s mainboard. The move is intended to broaden its access to equity and debt capital, appealing to institutional investors with mainboard mandates. Currently, only...
Jakarta Stock Exchange Posts 5% Canary Signal
One market that has shown a recent 5% canary signal with confirmation is Indonesia's Jakarta Stock Exchange. https://t.co/dls4RSmwO4
China Hikes Military Budget, Seeks Tech Self‑reliance
In a Riskier Era, China Bets on Technology to Resist U.S. Pressure China announced a 7 percent increase in military spending and a five-year plan to try to reduce its military and industry’s reliance on Western technology. https://t.co/c3cRysLtmX via @NYTimes
Stock Market Live Updates: Stock to Buy Today: Tube Investments of India (₹2,769.20)
Tube Investments of India has been on a steady rally since late January, breaking the ₹2,650 resistance on March 2 and trading around ₹2,769. Technical analysts project a short‑term dip to the breached level before the uptrend resumes, with a near‑term...
FPIs Net Buy 22,000 Cr Equity In
FPIs bought 22,000 cr in equity in Feb. (And uhem, they sold 17K cr. on Monday + Wednesday) https://t.co/bmXFAXJ1aZ
China Plans Coordinated Push for Lithography by 2030
Reuters: Top Chinese semiconductor executives have called for a coordinated national effort to develop operational lithography systems during the 2026-2030 period, underlining Beijing's push for greater technological self-reliance. @lauriechenwords https://t.co/uab1DaTkwQ
Nikkei Futures Are up 3.8%
Nikkei futures surged 3.8% to 56,310, reversing a 3.6% drop the day before. The index remains up 7.7% year‑to‑date and 45% over the past year, reflecting strong investor appetite for low‑multiple Japanese stocks and tech exposure. The Bank of Japan...
Mainland Investors Dump HK Stocks Amid Geopolitical Doubts
Mainland Chinese investors sold the most Hong Kong stocks in a single session on record, underscoring waning appetite for the city’s shares seen as more vulnerable to geopolitical uncertainty. https://t.co/lttZLxoqBw
Nvidia Halts China Chip Production Amid Ongoing Trade Restrictions
FT, citing sources: Nvidia has stopped production of chips intended for the Chinese market, betting that regulatory barriers in Washington and Beijing will continue to limit sales to China. @zijing_wu https://t.co/WzcEVP1osx
How This Week's Rout in Korean Stocks Might Have Triggered Crypto's Surge Higher
South Korea’s Kospi plunged roughly 20% over two sessions, ending a ten‑month rally that had lifted the index nearly 180% on AI‑linked stocks. The sharp equity correction coincided with a modest resurgence in domestic crypto trading, as retail investors reallocated...
Chinese Legacy Firms Bet on Chips to Survive AI Boom
China’s Traditional Businesses Try to Buy Into AI Boom—For many Chinese companies, investing in chip makers is a survival strategy @QinSherry https://t.co/4pke6IQIur https://t.co/4pke6IQIur
India VIX Shows Iran War Risk Already Priced In
Have we discounted the IRAN war risk in markets? Using the India VIX to consider the idea that the worst of our fears may already be in the market https://t.co/LzpXAJuIYv https://t.co/H4WBbxWV2k
BSE to Roll Out Monthly Futures, Options on Sensex Next 30
The Bombay Stock Exchange will introduce cash‑settled monthly futures and options on the Sensex Next 30 index, which tracks the most liquid large‑cap stocks outside the flagship Sensex 30. SEBI has approved the contracts, setting expiry on the last Thursday of each...
China Sets Historic Low Growth Target, Signaling Slower Era
China Signals New Era of Slower Economic Growth—Beijing sets historically low growth target of 4.5% to 5% @hannahmiao_ @TByGraceZhu @ByXiaoXiao https://t.co/o4Z2iYoVdw https://t.co/o4Z2iYoVdw
Korea’s Chip Output Drops, Shifts to High‑Bandwidth Memory
Didn’t realize how much Korean chip production has fallen in the past few months, as it’s shifting towards high bandwith memory. Source: Robeco https://t.co/I5YOwPS4OL
Korean Market Surges, Index Jumps 10% at Open
Korean stocks gap higher at the open. Index up 10% in the early minutes https://t.co/JnBZeO7dnc
Selloff Cleanses Market, Leaving Earnings‑focused Investors Behind
“It’s perhaps best to consider this selloff as a painful but healthy cleansing. It de-leverages and chases away momentum-driven speculators. What’s left will be those who care about company earnings and reasonable valuations.” https://t.co/u2x38lgHiL