Asia

• Asia-Pacific stock markets traded unevenly recently as rising U.S. Treasury yields and weakness in technology stocks pressured investor sentiment. • Australia’s ASX 200 dropped by 0.91% to 8,669.90, while South Korea’s KOSPI saw a slight increase of 0.02% to 6,685.69. • Mixed performance across these major indices indicates that volatility in the U.S. bond market is directly impacting equity valuations for regional investors.

• Asian currencies declined recently as the Japanese yen pulled back ahead of upcoming policy decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. • DBS Senior Economist Radhika Rao expects the USD/IDR exchange rate to trade within a range of 17,600 to 17,800. • A firmer U.S. dollar is limiting currency declines and keeping bond yields elevated as they track U.S. market trends.

Health service faces exodus as almost four-fifths of BAME managers surveyed reported racism, exclusion and barriers to career progressionThe NHS in England is facing an exodus of minority ethnic managers who have suffered racism, exclusion and discrimination during their working lives, a report has found.Almost four-fifths of managers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds have experienced racism, exclusion and obstacles to progressing in their careers, according to a survey carried out by the NHS Alliance. Continue reading...

• India will host Pakistan and four other nations for the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament from October 27 to November 5, 2026. • Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the event will feature six competing teams, including China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. • The tournament provides a rare competitive venue for India and Pakistan to face each other in a high-stakes international sports setting.

• India will face Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final after both teams advanced through the group and semi-final stages. • India enters the match seeking a record-extending eighth title, having already won the tournament seven times. • The outcome determines whether Sri Lanka can successfully defend their championship title against the most successful team in the tournament's history.

• South Korean football and baseball teams are competing for gold medals at the Asian Games. • Winning a gold medal is the only way for these athletes to receive an exemption from the country's mandatory military service. • This incentive creates high stakes for players who must choose between professional sports careers and national service duties.

• Asian high-yield debt has outperformed most global bond markets so far this year as cheaper borrowing costs in China improve issuer finances. • These junk dollar bonds returned 4.3% year-to-date, more than double the 2% return seen by similar US bonds. • The trend benefits investors in high-risk debt markets as the yield gap between Chinese and US benchmark bonds reaches a record high.