Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) is likely to stop providing new financing to coal-fired power plants, including more environmentally friendly projects, due to growing pressure from global investors and environmentalists.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is also pursuing zero greenhouse gas emissions, on a net basis, by 2050.
While SMFG announced it would not finance new coal-fired power plants in principle, it hasn’t ruled out funding more efficient coal-burning plants, such as the so-called “ultra-supercritical" or USC power plants.
It is now likely to remove that exception from its lending policy.
An SMFG spokesman said that while nothing had been decided, it would review its policy for businesses and industries that could have a major environmental impact.
Rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc has ceased funding coal power projects except under “special circumstances” based on a country’s energy policy and international agreements signed by Japan.
Meanwhile, No.3 lender Mizuho Financial Group Inc. would still fund coal projects that will be transformed into highly-efficient power plants.
Mizuho shareholders last year rejected a proposal, backed by Nordic funds including Nordea Asset Management, which sought to rein in the financing of coal projects in Asia.
