Today's Asia Stocks Pulse
Japan and South Korea equities hit record highs as investors weigh Iran tensions
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi posted fresh all‑time highs, buoyed by strong domestic earnings and a pivotal wage settlement at Samsung Electronics. The rally unfolded while markets assessed the impact of U.S. strikes in Iran and the fragile cease‑fire talks. Oil prices held gains as Asian shares climbed on the geopolitical backdrop.
HSBC Earnings Out, Upper End of Estimates. Also HK Budget Out
HSBC reported a 7.4% year‑on‑year drop in 2025 profit before tax to US$29.907 billion, landing near the top of its forecast range. Basic earnings per share were US$1.21 and the bank declared a fourth interim dividend of US$0.45, bringing the total 2025 payout to US$0.75, slightly above analyst expectations. For 2026, HSBC plans to rebuild its Common Equity Tier 1 ratio before resuming share buy‑backs and targets a RoTE of 17% or higher through 2028. Revenue growth is projected to accelerate, reaching a 5% year‑on‑year increase by 2028 on a constant‑currency basis.
Yuan Deposits Rise, Household Growth Slows, Non‑bank Surge Persists
Yicai: "Chinese yuan deposits saw strong year-on-year growth in January, but the pattern of slower household deposit growth alongside faster non-bank deposit growth persisted. Industry insiders said this does not mean that money is leaving the banking system, nor does...
Spring Festival 2026 Consumer Sales Jump 13.7% YoY
1/3 Xinhua: "According to China's value-added tax invoice data, the 2026 Spring Festival holiday saw the average daily sales revenues of consumer-related industries increase by 13.7 percent from last year's Spring Festival holiday." https://t.co/kWT8ZTr29T
Market View: Banks, Planes & Political Signals
The episode reviews recent market moves, highlighting OCBC's 3% profit rise driven by strong non‑interest income and a proposed special dividend, while noting net interest margin compression. Singapore Airlines showed robust revenue growth and higher passenger loads but saw net...
Markets Misread Dovish BoJ as Bullish Amid Rate‑Driven Rally
so Japanese markets suffered deflation for decades at the hands of a dovish BoJ... and the markets have had a historic rally on the back of rising rates and yet somehow the market thinks dovish BoJ nominations is bullish... got it
HK Dark Pool Trading Peaks in January on Event-Driven Activity
Hong Kong dark pool trading hit 12-month high in January, boosted by event-driven activities https://t.co/GaqVhIyu23
Software Rout Ripples Through India’s Consumer Tech, Real Estate
Asian equities rose on Wednesday as the AI‑driven sell‑off in U.S. markets softened, offering a brief reprieve for India’s stock market. The Nifty index flirted with its 200‑day moving average, a key long‑term support level, before closing above it. Asset...
Takeover Price Hits Floor, Still Not a Buy
Don't like the Yomeishu Seizo takeover at ¥4,050/share? I wrote 4-Jan-26 this wasn't worth owning. It was Murakami-owned (Yuzawa is Murakami (see 2nd pic)) and he would act in his own interest, and therefore ¥4,021 was a floor price. I...
Stock Recommendations for 25 February From MarketSmith India
MarketSmith India released its top stock picks for 25 February as Indian equities slumped. The Nifty 50 dropped 1.12% to 25,424.65 and the Sensex fell 1.28%, driven by a 4.74% plunge in the IT index. AI‑related disruption fears after Anthropic’s new tools,...
Hong Kong Sees Fast Growth Continuing Into 2026 on Rebound
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced a 2026 GDP growth projection of 2.5%‑3.5%, raising expectations beyond the 2%‑3% range slated for 2025. The forecast follows a 3.5% expansion in 2025, the strongest pace since 2021, underscoring a robust post‑pandemic...
Memory Boom Drives Korean Stocks’ Breakthrough Past 6,000 Level
South Korea's KOSPI index surged past the 6,000 mark, closing at a record 6,085 on Wednesday. The rally was powered by a sharp rise in global memory demand, lifting Samsung Electronics 2.5% and SK Hynix 2.1%. The benchmark is now...
Tech-Led Rally Extends to Asia, Dollar Edges Lower: Markets Wrap
Asian equities extended a technology‑driven rally, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbing 1.2% for a third straight session. South Korea, viewed as a proxy for AI investment, surged 2.2% to a record high. A rebound in battered software stocks...
Monetary Policy Committee Policy Rate Likely to Remain Unchanged
The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee is expected to leave its policy rate unchanged at 1.25% during Wednesday’s meeting, buoyed by a stronger‑than‑expected 2.5% year‑on‑year GDP growth in Q4 2025 and a clearer political environment after the election. Economists...
BoT Upgrades Thai GDP Forecast After Robust Q4
The Bank of Thailand raised its 2026 GDP growth projection to 1.9%, up from 1.5%, after a stronger‑than‑expected fourth‑quarter performance. Governor Vitai Ratanakorn stressed that tighter coordination between fiscal stimulus and monetary easing is essential to move the economy toward...
Watch Trump's 9 PM Speech Before Asia Trading
If you plan on trading Asia session tonight keep in mind the orange man speaks at 9pm
CPN Launches Major B7bn Expansion of Central Phuket
Central Pattana (CPN) is allocating 7 billion baht to expand its Central Phuket mixed‑use complex, boosting the gross building area from roughly 300,000 to 500,000 sq m and lifting total project value above 26 billion baht. The plan doubles the luxury zone, adds a...
Philex 2025 Income Climbs to P929.69M on Record Metal Prices
Philex Mining Corp posted a net income of P929.69 million in 2025, a 14.7% rise year‑over‑year, driven by record‑high gold and copper prices and a favorable peso exchange rate. Revenues climbed 8.2% to P8.85 billion, while core net income surged 43.6% to...
SEC Revises IPO Float Rules to Revive Listings
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2026, revising public‑ownership requirements for IPOs. The new tiered framework reduces the minimum float to 33 percent for firms under P500 million and as low as 15 percent for companies above P50 billion, with a...
Indian Stocks Slip Again: Causes and Strategies
Indian Stocks Fell again today. What’s the reason? And what to do with them? #stockmarket #itsector #anthropic #artificialintelligence #Nifty50
Govt to Divest up to 4% Stake in IRFC via OFS Starting Wednesday, Sets Floor Price at Rs 104 per...
The Ministry of Railways has launched an offer‑for‑sale (OFS) to off‑load up to 4 % of Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) equity, equivalent to 26.13 crore shares, with a green‑shoe option for an additional equal tranche. The floor price is fixed at...
Nifty Needs 25,800 Breakout to Sustain Uptrend
Nifty Prediction For Tomorrow 25 February 2026 By Rohit Srivastava | Indiacharts A critical level to watch is the channel's midpoint at 25,510; getting past this could lead to an attempt to break out above the 25,780 level. For a...
Tesla Will Face Multiple Chinese EV Rivals Worldwide
Not surprised at all. And let’s not forget that many other leading Chinese EV players—such as Huawei, Li Auto, and Xiaomi—have yet to meaningfully ramp up their overseas expansion. Tesla isn’t just competing with BYD. In the coming years, it will...
Schaeffler India Announces Rs 35/Share Dividend. Check Payment Date, Dividend Yield
Schaeffler India announced a Rs 35 per share dividend for FY 25, payable within 30 days of its AGM on 30 April 2026. The company posted a 36% jump in Q4 net profit to Rs 322 crore and revenue rose 28% YoY to Rs 2,724 crore. Profit after...
Broker’s Call: ABB India (Reduce)
ABB India posted a 6% year‑on‑year revenue increase to ₹3,560 crore in Q4‑CY25, but adjusted EBITDA margin slipped 230 basis points to 17.2% amid higher commodity costs and adverse mix. Order inflows surged 52% YoY to ₹4,090 crore, pushing the backlog to...
Chinese Banks Pivot From US Treasuries to Diversified Reserves
Last week, we published a report titled “How Is China Rewiring Its Trillion-Dollar Surplus?” in response to media reports that Chinese authorities have urged banks to curb their exposure to the US Treasury market. This regulatory signal is highly investment-relevant,...
Broker’s Call: SAIL (Buy)
Emkay Global upgraded Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) to a Buy, raising the target price to ₹200 from ₹175 while the stock trades around ₹160.25. The firm projects EBITDA per tonne of ₹7,000‑7,500 over the next two quarters, up...
HK Court Issues Global Injunction Over Insider Trading
The Court of First Instance of Hong Kong has granted the Securities and Futures Commission a worldwide interim injunction order in legal proceedings against Mr Chan Ching Wa, a former staff of the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited (HKEX),...
Avoid the Rotation Trade: Dow Signals Reversal
It is a Big Trap - Avoid the Rotation trade The rotation trade is making the rounds on social media, but this trend is based on what worked in 2025 and might not work in 2026. Dow theory suggests it...
Dollar May yet Benefit From Further US-Iran Geopolitical Escalation - BofA
Bank of America sees the U.S. dollar gaining strength if geopolitical tensions with Iran intensify. Rising odds—now 69%—of a U.S. military strike by June could push oil prices higher while global equities weaken, a combination that traditionally benefits the greenback....
IMF: China Too Big to Export Out Its Malaise
“I recently spoke with experts at the International Monetary Fund, who put the problem bluntly: China is simply too big to keep exporting its way out of its own internal malaise.” @Lingling_Wei https://t.co/nsBIj0UbEq
Huawei Hits $127B Revenue, Defying US Sanctions
Huawei’s revenues surge to US$127 billion as it continues to defy US sanctions Wait, thought controls were "working"?... https://t.co/fueavLdQgI
Sebi Chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey Flags Big PMS Overhaul, to Examine New RBI Funding Rules
Sebi chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced a sweeping review of portfolio‑management‑services (PMS) regulations, citing the sector’s Rs 10.5 lakh‑crore asset base and 17% CAGR growth. The draft overhaul will prioritize investor suitability, governance, and technology, with a public consultation slated before the...
China Bans Japanese Firms, Escalating Trade War over Taiwan Comment
China Hits Japanese Firms With Export Bans—Move marks another escalation in economic campaign against Japan over prime minister’s Taiwan comment @wsj_douglasj https://t.co/KP8DkI7RD5 https://t.co/KP8DkI7RD5
China’s Lunar New Year Spending Modestly up Amid Stimulus
SCMP: "Consumer spending during China’s Lunar New Year rose modestly this year, according to early official data, as authorities extended the holiday and stepped up stimulus measures to support domestic demand." https://t.co/d5LzFaVd4V via @scmpnews
Market Trading Guide: Tourism Finance and Cummins India Are Stocks to Buy on Tuesday for up to 16% Returns. Here’s...
India's benchmark indices rallied after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global tariffs, but the Nifty stayed confined between the 21‑EMA (25,641) and the 50‑DMA (25,737). Technical analysts highlighted elevated VIX and indecisive RSI, suggesting a sideways short‑term range....
US Needs Domestic EV Demand to Counter China’s Rare‑earth Dominance
.@dunne_insights: “China controls roughly 70 percent of rare earth mining and over 90 percent of processing capacity. Without a thriving domestic EV industry creating sustained demand, America lacks the economic incentive to build the…supply chains.” https://t.co/hU5loovdzh
China’s Top Solar Firms Slash One‑third Staff Amid Losses
1/7 Reuters: "China's biggest solar firms shed nearly one-third of their workforces last year, company filings show, as one of the industries hand-picked by Beijing to drive economic growth grapples with falling prices and steep losses." https://t.co/BDS9UWJaXO
Bharti Airtel Shares to Be in Focus After ₹20,000 Crore Capital Infusion in NBFC Arm Airtel Money
Bharti Airtel announced a ₹20,000 crore capital infusion into its non‑banking financial company arm, Airtel Money, to accelerate its digital finance push. The funding is expected to expand the company’s payments, credit and savings offerings across its telecom customer base. Following...
TICO Faces 99.5% Owned Toyota Tender
I've been a bit quiet on here for a while. I'm still busy over at @smartkarma. Over the weekend I published two pieces on TICO (Toyota Industries Co (6201 JP)) which is currently undergoing a Tender Offer by Toyota Asset...
POS Malaysia Teeters on Insolvency After Nine Years Loss
POS Malaysia “Survival Before Recovery”. •Another Net loss RM209m FY25 •9 tahun berturut rugi. It’s a structural earnings problem, reflecting business model under sustained pressure. •Accum losses driven reserves to deeply negative ~RM1 bil •Net Asset per share only 11sen. Balance sheet now thinly...
Asian Stocks Rally After Trump’s Supreme Court Tariffs Blow
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated most of President Trump’s tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, delivering a sharp policy reversal. Asian equity markets responded positively, with technology and e‑commerce stocks leading gains and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up...
Avoid IDFC and UPL; Lower Circuits Signal Further Drops
🚨 2 Biggest Accident of the day 🚨 Hit Lower circuit in 2 stocks 🔻 1) IDFC first bank Ltd. (-16%) Down 2) UPL Ltd. (-14%) Down - IDFC first bank stock hit lower circuit due to fraud case of ₹590 Cr. -...
PSEi Climbs to 6,488 as Earnings Lift Market Sentiment
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose to 6,488.51, gaining 0.36% as earnings releases spurred buying in industrial, mining and oil stocks. Turnover hovered around P6.12 billion, reflecting measured participation despite subdued volume from global tariff worries. Market breadth stayed positive with...
Taiex Sees Gains Limited Amid Renewed Concerns over U.S. Tariff Policies
Taiwan's Taiex index closed modestly higher on Feb. 23, up 0.5% to 33,773 points, as investors weighed renewed U.S. tariff concerns following President Trump’s new global duties. The market’s early surge, driven by electronics, was trimmed by profit‑taking in TSMC,...
Rupee Support Tool Turns Pressure Point; $7 Billion NDF Maturities Come Due
The Reserve Bank of India relies on non‑deliverable forwards (NDFs) to support the rupee without draining reserves, but $7 billion of contracts are set to mature this week, creating rollover pressure. RBI’s total forward book stands at $62.3 billion, a size that...
What Now for Asia After Trump's Tariffs Struck Down?
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the majority of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in 2025 were illegal, prompting the administration to replace them with a uniform 15% levy on all goods entering the United States. Customs officials halted...
Deep‑value Japanese Small Caps Present Top Equity Opportunities
Where are the best opportunities in Japanese equities? I sat down recently with Isabella Foley of @ForagerFunds to discuss this and other topics. Bella covers global equities for Forager Funds Management's global fund, focusing on small & mid caps, with...
Markets Punish India for Defying US, History Shows
The Gift Nifty fools think India will get some special deal You try to dishonor a deal with the US and see what happens. That will surely get you the lower circuit in Gift futures overnight. The stupidity of markets. I am not saying...
AI Won’t Kill SaaS; Japan’s Fallout Reveals Opportunity
1/ The market is convinced that AI will kill SaaS. That seems overly simplistic. There's been carnage in Japan's SaaS sector, with babies clearly thrown out of the bathwater. That could signal opportunity. https://t.co/cmwPpqWG59
China’s Overlapping Industries Amplify Industrial Policy Impact
Kyle Chan: "China’s strength across multiple overlapping industries creates a compounding effect for its industrial policy efforts." https://t.co/1Z2o8dcRWq