Oil Prices Surge to Highest Level Since 2022 Amid Iran War Uncertainty

• Remgro reported a profit of ZAR 560 million for the H2 2026 period following a portfolio overhaul. • The company saw a headline earnings swing of ZAR 723 million, moving from a ZAR 160 million loss in the previous financial year to its current positive position.

• European shares rose as technology stocks led gains and falling oil prices reduced inflation concerns. • The STOXX 600 index advanced 0.56% while investors monitored an upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

• The Bank of France lowered its 2026 growth forecast on September 15 due to stalling economic activity in the first half of the year. • The central bank reduced the growth projection to 0.4% from its previous June estimate of 0.5%.

• U.S. market investors are monitoring Costco earnings, a Meta developer event, and a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping this week. • These three events serve as the primary market drivers during a period characterized by light macroeconomic data.

• Researchers analyzed how weather variables and physical climate risks affected the stock returns and trading volumes of 13 major banks on the Warsaw Stock Exchange from 2020 to 2025. • The study used GARCH-based modeling to determine if weather provides explanatory information beyond standard firm-specific and market-wide financial variables.

• Tech-led shares rose across Asia-Pacific markets on Tuesday as oil prices declined. • South Korea’s tech-heavy index gained 1.5%, while MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.8%.

• Japanese authorities conducted a currency rate check late on September 18 to stabilize the yen. • The intervention drove the USD/JPY exchange rate from 157.80 down to 156.60 after the currency had fallen as much as 1.3% on Friday.

• Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are meeting this week to negotiate tariffs, technology, and critical minerals. • The outcome of these talks will determine the future of the fragile trade detente, or temporary truce, between the United States and China.

• Asian stock markets rose recently as technology shares led gains ahead of a scheduled summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. • South Korea’s KOSPI index climbed 1.7%, driven by a 4% jump in Samsung Electronics shares.

• Asian stocks rose on Monday as investors looked forward to an upcoming summit between the United States and China. • The MSCI Asia Pacific equities gauge increased by 0.2%, while South Korea's Kospi outperformed other regional markets with a 0.83% climb.

• Asian stocks rose on Monday following comments from Scott Bessent that preliminary talks with China were successful. • South Korea’s Kospi index climbed 1.8% to 7,018.98, while Samsung Electronics shares jumped 5%.

• Asian stock markets mostly rose on Monday morning following strong global demand for artificial intelligence technology and positive signals from trade talks. • US and Chinese economic officials met on Sunday to discuss trade and AI before a planned summit this Thursday in Washington.