Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Oil Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Venezuela Sanctions and Middle East Tensions Fuel Risk Premium 
Kevin Hassett Says Inflation Is Below Target, Backs Trump’s Call for Rate Cuts 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
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.
