
Asian Stocks Rally on Tech Gains and U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes
Apr 15, 2026 04:11 am UTC| Economy
Asian equity markets extended their winning streak on Wednesday, buoyed by strong performances in technology stocks and growing optimism surrounding potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks. The positive momentum followed a...

Iran War Drives Asia's Plastic Crisis — and a Green Packaging Boom
Apr 15, 2026 03:45 am UTC| Economy Business
The ongoing Iran conflict is reshaping the global packaging industry in ways environmental advocates never anticipated. By disrupting Middle Eastern oil and petrochemical supplies, the war has driven plastic prices to...

Bank of Korea Nominee Shin Hyun-song Signals Possible Rate Hike Amid Middle East Inflation Fears
Apr 15, 2026 03:42 am UTC| Central Banks Economy
South Koreas incoming Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor nominee Shin Hyun-song has hinted at a possible shift toward tighter monetary policy, warning that prolonged supply-side shocks stemming from the ongoing Middle East...

IMF Slashes Global Growth Forecast Amid Middle East Energy Crisis
Apr 15, 2026 03:39 am UTC| Economy
The International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global growth outlook following a surge in energy prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict. As finance officials convened for the IMF and World Bank spring...

U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady as Wall Street Eyes Middle East Diplomacy and Earnings Season
Apr 15, 2026 02:58 am UTC| Economy
U.S. stock index futures were relatively flat Tuesday evening following a strong regular session that pushed the SP 500 close to its all-time closing high. By late evening, SP 500 Futures hovered near 7,007.75, Nasdaq 100...

Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Middle East Tensions
Apr 15, 2026 02:55 am UTC| Economy
Oil prices continued their downward trend during Asian trading hours on Wednesday, extending significant losses from earlier in the week as diplomatic developments between the United States and Iran raised hopes for a...

China's Trade Surplus Shrinks Sharply in March Amid AI Import Surge and Export Slowdown
Apr 14, 2026 03:27 am UTC| Economy
Chinas trade balance dropped significantly in March, falling well below market expectations as a surge in imports collided with weaker-than-anticipated export growth. Official customs data revealed a trade surplus of...