EUR/USD
1.16918
0.128%
Gold
4493.92
-0.639%
Oil
85.180
1.116%
USD/JPY
158.445
0.187%
GBP/USD
1.36263
0.154%
GBP/JPY
215.905
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Real-time News
August 20th - The 2026 edition of the National Essential Medicines List has been officially released. To better implement the policy requirements of the "Opinions on Improving the National Essential Medicines System" and the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of the Allocation and Use of Essential Medicines in Public Medical and Health Institutions," the National Health Commission issued a notice today guiding medical and health institutions to prioritize the allocation and use of essential medicines, promoting equitable access and rational use of essential medicines. Local health administrative departments at all levels should guide medical and health institutions within their jurisdictions to improve the evaluation mechanism for drug supply catalogs, continuously optimize and standardize drug use structures, and promote seamless drug use coordination between different levels of medical and health institutions.Singapores fuel oil inventory for the week ending August 19, and the changes in UK LME copper, aluminum, and nickel inventories for the week ending August 20 will be released in ten minutes.On August 20, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, held a strategic dialogue with Wi Sung-rak, Director of the National Security Office of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on regional security issues. Wang Yi elaborated on Chinas principled position on regional and Korean Peninsula issues, pointing out that we should be vigilant against the rhetoric and actions of Japanese right-wing forces that attempt to reverse the course of history, and that the resurgence of Japanese militarism will never be allowed. The fundamental way to resolve the tensions on the Korean Peninsula lies in eliminating the root causes of the problem and urging the United States to abandon its hostile policy towards North Korea. He hoped that all parties would do more to restart dialogue and restore mutual trust, and welcomed the prospect of the Korean Peninsula moving towards peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea, ultimately achieving a peace mechanism and lasting stability on the peninsula.On August 20th, Futures reported that while the market is currently in the traditional off-season for gas consumption, end-user procurement remains cautious, but expectations for winter restocking are already building within the industry. Many participants have begun planning pre-emptive stockpiling. However, this years market environment differs significantly from previous years: pipeline gas continues to divert demand, overseas disturbances are recurring, and domestic liquefied petroleum plants face rigid costs. Whether aggressively stockpiling or adopting a wait-and-see approach, both approaches involve real-world market risks. From a baseline scenario, the market is likely to maintain a range-bound trading pattern from the end of August to September. As restocking activities gradually materialize, there is a possibility of a slight price increase, but the upside potential is limited. Overall, the market is in a critical phase of transition from the off-season to the restocking season, lacking sufficient fundamental support for either a sharp rise or a deep decline. Costs are forming a price floor, while demand is constraining upward movement; therefore, volatility will be the main theme during this period.On August 20th, the Swedish central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 1.75% for the 12th consecutive month, the lowest level in the EU, and reiterated its readiness to tighten monetary policy this year should a war with Iran trigger accelerated inflation. In a statement, Swedish central bank governor Erik Thedéen and other policymakers said, "The possibility of a rate hike later this year remains." In June, they stated that there was a 50% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike in 2026. The Swedish central bank stated, "If the unexpectedly high inflation this summer is only the beginning of a larger and more persistent rise in inflation, the Swedish central bank will adjust its monetary policy towards a tighter stance."
