Asia stocks jump as AI rally returns; Japan, Korea surge By Investing.com

• Traders are preparing for a more hawkish stance from the European Central Bank (ECB) as inflation pressures persist. • Key drivers include rising crack spreads for refined products like diesel and critically low natural gas storage levels, which are at their lowest for this season in over a decade.

• The Euro (EUR/USD) is showing signs of recovery but remains below the 1.1700 level as of Tuesday. • Support for the currency comes from positive economic indicators, including Germany’s IFO survey reaching a one-year high and improvements in Eurozone PMI and ZEW data.

• The BSE Sensex closed over 280 points higher and the NSE Nifty50 ended above 24,300, driven by a mix of global developments and foreign fund flows. • Sectoral performance was mixed, with gains in metals and telecommunications offsetting pressure on banking and financial stocks.

• The Bangladesh government has launched a five-year strategic plan to clean up the banking sector, focusing on recovering bad loans, tightening supervision, and restoring depositor confidence. • The Bangladesh Bank will spearhead regulatory and supervisory reforms, while the Financial Institutions Division will coordinate policy and legal changes for state-owned financial institutions.

• Designer Kunal Rawal has officially launched his contemporary menswear collections on the e-commerce platform Tata CLiQ Luxury. • The partnership aims to capitalize on the increasing consumer demand for premium designer fashion and high-end occasionwear available through online channels.

• A new survey released on Tuesday reveals that super-rich family offices in the Asia-Pacific region are significantly increasing their funding for sustainability projects. • These investors are shifting toward a "systems-level" approach to impact investing to ensure their capital creates broader, more meaningful societal and environmental changes.

• Brent Crude prices have returned to near $92 per barrel following a brief 2% drop, driven by increased U.S. pressure on Iran. • In the cryptocurrency market, Ethereum (ETH) experienced a decisive breakout above the $1,850-$1,900 resistance zone and its long-term descending trendline.

• The United States is considering the imposition of 7.5% tariffs on Chinese imports to combat industrial overcapacity. • This move serves as a strategic step to revive the protectionist trade agenda of the US president ahead of upcoming talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

• US Treasury Secretary Bessent is scheduled to unveil the "toughest" sanctions in history against Iran today at 2 pm ET. • Markets are reacting to the anticipation of these "Economic D-Day" sanctions, causing oil prices to slide by 2%.

• US Treasury Secretary Bessent declined to announce secondary sanctions against Iran's trading partners and financial institutions during a recent press conference. • While Bessent unveiled new sanctions targeting specific individuals, entities, and vessels, he issued a final warning instead of the broader measures expected.

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have returned to Indian equities after months of heavy selling, though their approach remains selective rather than a broad bet on national growth. • India's weight in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has dropped to approximately 14%, down from a late-2024 peak of 21% due to capital rotating toward AI-driven markets like Taiwan and South Korea.

• The HinduBusinessLine has issued a stock recommendation for IndusInd Bank for August 24, 2026. • Analysts highlight that the bank is currently exhibiting a bullish long-term trend, suggesting a strong foundation for growth.