Topic
asia
Finance South Korea's Kospi tumbles 6% as SK Hynix miss, AI spending fears trigger chip rout
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index plunged 6% on Wednesday, closing at 5,663.24, its lowest since early April. The selloff was led by a 9.4% drop in SK Hynix after quarterly earnings missed forecasts, and a 4.8% decline in Samsung Electronics. Renewed concerns over high AI valuations and China's progress in low-cost AI models weighed on the sector, with regional markets like Japan's Nikkei and Taiwan's Taiex also falling.
Commodities Saudi Aramco Considers New Asia Crude Pricing as Red Sea Disruption Raises Shipping Costs
Saudi Aramco is evaluating a new pricing mechanism for crude loaded from Egypt's Sidi Kerir port for Asian buyers to account for higher shipping costs after Houthi-imposed disruptions in the Red Sea. The diversion via the Suez-Mediterranean Pipeline and around the Cape of Good Hope could add about $5 per barrel to costs. Three sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed the consideration.
Technology Chip stocks plunge in US and Asia as AI investment doubts rattle markets
Shares in major chip firms fell sharply in the US and Asia as a sell-off in AI-related stocks deepened. South Korea's Kospi was temporarily halted after sliding 8%, with Samsung and SK Hynix down over 10%. Nvidia lost its position as the world's most valuable company to Apple, and analysts are questioning whether AI investments can become profitable.
Commodities India's Surging Refined Product Exports Ease Asia Fuel Crisis, Says Russell
India's exports of light and middle distillates are expected to reach 1.55 million barrels per day in July, the second-highest level in Kpler records since 2017, easing Asia's fuel crisis. The surge is driven by soaring product premiums after the breakdown of the US-Iran ceasefire, with Brent crude rising 34% from its post-deal low. Other exporters like Oman and Taiwan are also boosting output, but Asia's imports remain 18% below pre-conflict levels, indicating continued tightness.
Logistics Sharp Decrease in Asia Armed Robbery Against Ships in First Half of 2026
A new report from the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre reveals a 64% drop in armed robbery against ships in Asian waters during the first half of 2026, with only 35 incidents reported. The decline is attributed to effective preventive measures and law enforcement responses, though Philippine ports saw a surge from zero to 10 incidents. The Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait remain the most affected area, accounting for 60% of all incidents.
Commodities Unity Expands into Asia with Rigless Intervention Contract in Malaysia
Aberdeen-based well-integrity specialist Unity has entered the Asia-Pacific market with a three-well rigless intervention contract in Malaysia, partnering with Reservoir Link for an international offshore operator. The deal deploys Unity's surface intervention system (SIS), which eliminates the need for support vessels and is suited to ageing assets. This marks a strategic step in Unity's regional expansion.
Supply Chain India Well Placed to Anchor Asia's Value Chains, Says FECC Executive Director at GEC East
Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Executive Director of FECC, stated at the GEC East event in Singapore that India is well placed to anchor Asia's value chains. The event focuses on building integrated manufacturing ecosystems and supply chain resilience across sectors like semiconductors, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
Logistics Jaxport Adds New Asia-Latin America-Mediterranean Container Service with Zim and MSC
Jaxport welcomed the first call of the ZCP-Amberjack container service, operated by Zim and MSC. The weekly service connects Jacksonville with major Asian ports, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean via transshipment hubs. Transit times from North Asia are 28-32 days.
Asian Tech Stocks Tumble, Triggering Circuit Breakers in South Korea
Asian stock markets dropped on Friday, with South Korea's Kospi falling 5.8% after an 8% intraday drop triggered a circuit breaker. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed over 4% lower as SoftBank tumbled 12.5%. The sell-off followed sharp declines in US tech shares, including Apple's 6% fall after announcing price increases due to rising component costs.
Business Most Asian Stock Market Indices End on a Positive Note; South Korea’s Kospi Surges 3.3%
Most Asian stock market indices ended on a positive note on June 24, 2026, according to Akashvani. South Korea’s Kospi surged 3.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.3% and Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.2%. China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.1%. In contrast, Taiwan’s Taiex shed 2.2% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9%. Major European indices were mixed, with Germany’s DAX slipping 1%, France’s CAC 40 rising 0.3%, and London’s FTSE 100 flat.
Commodities Saudi Arabia slashes August crude prices for Asia by $11 a barrel in biggest cut in over 20 years
Saudi Arabia has slashed its official selling price for August crude oil deliveries to Asia by $11 per barrel, marking the largest cut in over two decades, according to a Times of India report.
Logistics Container Lines Permanently Restructure Networks Away from Asia's Mega Hubs
According to analysis by Sea-Intelligence, container carriers are permanently restructuring their networks away from Asia's largest transhipment hubs like Singapore, Port Klang, and Tanjung Pelepas in favor of secondary ports. Connectivity indices show sharp declines at major hubs and gains at ports such as Haiphong, Jeddah, and Khor Fakkan, driven by the Red Sea crisis and China+1 manufacturing strategies.
Logistics Keyfield Secures 13 Charter Deals Worth $55.7M Across Asia and Middle East
Malaysia-based Keyfield International has been awarded 13 new charter contracts worth RM229m ($55.7m), with extension options valued at RM41m ($10m). The deals cover offshore oil and gas support in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Middle East, bringing total contract wins in H1 2026 to 21. CEO Darren Kee Chit Huei highlighted diversification as a resilience strategy.
Commodities Asian Refiners Shun Iranian Oil After US Waiver, Leaving China as Primary Buyer
A temporary US sanctions waiver on Iranian oil sales through August 21 has not drawn orders from well-stocked Asian refiners, leaving independent Chinese refineries as the main buyer. Brent crude has declined about 16% in June, and Iranian crude on water has surged by 6 million barrels in 48 hours to 126 million barrels.
Commodities Iran-US Peace Deal Reopens Hormuz: 62 Million Barrels Set to Flood Market, Asia Braces for Oil Glut
The US-Iran peace deal has ended the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, releasing 62 million barrels of crude stranded in supertankers. Asian refiners, who secured alternative supplies during the conflict, now face a potential oil glut. The forward curve for Middle Eastern grades has shifted into contango, signaling bearish sentiment.
Asian & European markets up
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Business Gautam Adani Reclaims Asia's Richest Title with $89.2B Net Worth
Gautam Adani has reclaimed the title of Asia's richest person with a net worth of $89.2 billion, surpassing Mukesh Ambani. This resurgence is attributed to a rally in Adani Group stocks following the dismissal of fraud charges.
Technology AirTrunk's $30bn India Data Centre Investment Boosts AI Growth
AirTrunk has announced a $30 billion investment to develop 5GW of data centre capacity in India by 2030. This move positions India as a key player in global AI and cloud infrastructure, supported by government initiatives and a skilled workforce.
Business India to Surpass China in Global GDP Share by 2060
India is expected to surpass China in global GDP share by 2060, according to a report by the World Inequality Lab. The report highlights demographic shifts and economic trends that will reshape the global economic landscape.
Commodities Asia Naphtha Prices Drop as ADNOC Resumes Exports via Oman
Asia's naphtha prices have fallen to their lowest since March as ADNOC resumes exports via Oman, alleviating supply constraints caused by geopolitical tensions. The resumption of exports through the Omani port of Sohar provides an alternative route, impacting the market dynamics.
Trade India's Coffee Exports Surge 20% in April-May
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Business South Korea Surpasses India in Global Stock Market Rankings
South Korea has overtaken India to become the world's sixth-largest stock market, driven by a surge in semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This shift highlights the impact of the AI boom on global equity markets.
Trade China and Pakistan Strengthen Trade Ties
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