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StreetAccount Summary - Asian Market Preview: Nikkei Futures (2.94%), Hang Seng Futures (1.89%), ASX SPI 200 (1.54%), S&P Futures (0.09%)

Mar 18 ,2026

  • Synopsis:

    • Asian markets set for negative start to Thursday trade. Futures signaling steep opening declines in Japan and Hong Kong. Australia lower in initial trade. S&P 500 futures flat after US stocks retreated Wednesday. Australian bonds under pressure, tracking Treasury curve bear flattening amid latest bounce in oil prices and after YS PPI data came in hotter. Crude extending gains in post-settlement trade while gold and silver in retreat. FX markets little changed after dollar index strengthened, yen neared 160-handle. Bitcoin steady following Wednesday selloff.

    • Markets back on defensive after crude rallied amid latest concerns about Middle East energy supplies. Israeli struck South Pars gas field, prompting Iranian retaliation that hit Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plant. Development follows tentative stabilization in oil markets amid reports Iran continuing to facilitate shipments of its own crude via Strait of Hormuz. Latest attacks on energy facilities heightened market angst about tit-for-tat escalation though Trump said to not be in favor of further strikes, believing Iran received the message.

    • BOJ expected to leave policy unchanged today. Nikkei preview article noted board will monitor energy impact on inflation and economy with Governor Ueda likely be pressed on their response to the risks. Said many within BOJ said view rate hike will be difficult until outlook for underlying inflation becomes clearer. Yen weakness is another complicating factor. Market pricing in 60% chance of April rate hike with expectations having not changed much since before Iran conflict.

  • Pre-open Company News:

    • 500048.IN -- BEML receives $60M (INR5.56B) LoI for metro rolling stock for African region

    • 9966.HK -- Alphamab Oncology has appointed Wang Fei as CFO, effective 16-Mar

    • 543237.IN -- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders receives $39M (INR3.61B) construction order from SCI for one 3000 DWT methanol dual fuel PSV

    • CANG -- Cango, Inc. SEC filing: SCHEDULE 13D (Filed by Chiu Chang-Wei)

    • 531213.IN -- Manappuram Finance announces RBI grants all approvals for Bain Capital to acquire joint control of Manappuram Finance and its subsidiaries

    • 500180.IN -- HDFC Bank Chairman Atanu Chakraborty tendered resignation with immediate effect

    • 2582.HK -- Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment completes placement of 4.9M shares at HK$31.07/sh

    • 9988.HK -- Alibaba Group initiated buy at Western Securities (timing uncertain)

    • 532539.IN -- Uno Minda upgraded to buy from hold at Asian Markets Securities

    • 6770.JP -- Alps Alpine upgraded to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley

    • 412.HK -- Shandong Hi-Speed Holdings Group guides FY net income not less than CNY140M vs year-ago CNY693M

    • 9898.HK -- Weibo Corporation reports Q4 non-GAAP EPS $0.25 vs StreetAccount $0.33

    • 2172.HK -- FDA grants breakthrough device designation to MicroPort NeuroScientific's APOLLO Dream Rapamycin Target Eluting Stent System

    • 314.HK -- Sipai Health to acquire Jianyi Information Technology from Health Pie and Hailin Management for up to CNY390M in total

    • 005930.KS -- FTC grants antitrust clearance for Samsung's HARMAN International's purchase of ZF Friedrichshafen's ADAS business

  • On Deck:

    • China:

      • Economic:

        • 08:00 CST: Foreign Direct Investment Y/Y; consensus

    • Hong Kong:

      • Earnings:

        • CK Hutchison Holdings (1.HK), Stella International Holdings (1836.HK), AAC Technologies Holdings (2018.HK), BOC Aviation (2588.HK), CK Asset Holdings (1113.HK), China Resources Building Materials Technology Holdings (1313.HK), Samsonite Group (1910.HK), COSCO SHIPPING Holdings (1919.HK), Brii Biosciences Ltd (2137.HK), Crystal International Group (2232.HK), Li Ning (2331.HK), Giant Biogene Holding (2367.HK), Onewo, Inc. (2602.HK), PAX Global Technology (327.HK), Fangzhou (6086.HK), China Unicom (Hong Kong) (762.HK), VSTECS Holdings (856.HK), Sun Hung Kai & Co. (86.HK), Horizon Robotics (9660.HK)

    • Japan:

      • Economic:

        • 08:50 JST: Core Machinery Orders ex-Electric Power Companies & Ships SA M/M; consensus (10.4%)

        • 12:00 JST: Japan Policy Rate; consensus +0.8%

        • 13:30 JST: Industrial Production SA M/M (Final); consensus

    • Australia:

      • Economic:

        • 11:30 AEST: Unemployment Rate; consensus 4.1%

        • 11:30 AEST: Employment SA; consensus

    • Malaysia:

      • Economic:

        • 00:00 EST: CPI NSA Y/Y; consensus +1.5%

  • Market Data:

    • Gold (Apr 26): ($56.50) or (1.15%) to $4839.70

    • WTI Crude (Apr 26): +$2.59 or +2.69% to $98.91

    • $-¥: +0.76 or +0.48% to 159.7660

    • $-KRW: +17.91 or +1.20% to 1505.7500

    • A$-$: (0.01) or (1.14%) to 0.7025

    • $-INR: +0.87 or +0.94% to 93.2571

    • $-CNY: (0.01) or (0.21%) to 6.8721

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