Real-time News

August 11th - According to Jiji Press, citing sources, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may consider raising interest rates again at its next policy meeting on September 17-18, following its June rate hike, to address rising inflation risks. Japanese prices are likely to rise further due to rapid growth in demand related to artificial intelligence, a sharp depreciation of the yen, and rising oil prices. Previously, many financial market participants expected the BOJ to raise interest rates approximately every six months. However, according to the meeting summary released on Monday, some policy board members at the BOJ's latest policy-making meeting held on July 30-31 indicated that the pace of rate hikes should be accelerated. One member stated that "the pace of policy rate increases may exceed market expectations," while another member stated that the BOJ needs to "accelerate the pace of adjustment in the degree of monetary easing."

On August 11th, TD Securities predicted that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would maintain its interest rate at 4.35%. This baseline scenario is largely in line with market consensus and overnight index swap pricing, which indicated a near-zero probability of a rate hike today. This means the interest rate decision itself poses very limited risk of surprise to the Australian dollar or the interest rate market. A more significant signal may come from the Monetary Policy Statement released alongside the rate decision. TD Securities expects the RBA to resist a significant downward revision of its inflation forecast despite weaker-than-expected cut-off mean CPI data, citing persistent upside risks to the inflation outlook from high oil prices. This combination of "confirmation of holding rates steady" and "cautious rather than dovish forecast revisions" suggests a relatively mild market reaction. Any surprises are more likely to stem from the tone of the forecast's wording than from the rate decision itself.

August 11 – From July 30 to August 8, 2026, Yue Xiaoyong, Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. During his stay in Turkey, Yue Xiaoyong held consultations with Erkina, Director General of the South Asia Department of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern. During his visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong exchanged views with relevant officials of both countries on promoting improved development relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to the official measurement of the China Earthquake Networks Center, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake occurred in Shaya County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang (39.61 degrees north latitude, 82.78 degrees east longitude) at 09:56 on August 11, with a focal depth of 23 kilometers.

New York gold futures extended gains to 1.00% on the day, currently trading at $4,493.10 per ounce.

New York silver futures rose more than 1.00% on the day, currently trading at $66.54 per ounce.

August 11th - According to foreign media citing sources familiar with the matter, Apple (AAPL.O) is still planning a major redesign of the iPhone with a glass-centric design to celebrate the device's 20th anniversary, refuting previous analyst reports that the plan had been cancelled. Sources say Apple is expected to release iPhone Pro models with a completely new glass exterior next year. These phones, internally codenamed V73 and V74, will feature glass on both the front and back, with the material curving to the sides of the device, complemented by a metal frame. Apple's design studio had previously pushed for a more futuristic version that used more glass and almost no metal, but this was abandoned in early stages. According to sources, Apple encountered problems connecting the glass panels when adopting this design, making it impossible to meet mass production requirements.

As of 09:30 Beijing time, WTI crude oil futures fell 0.15%, and US natural gas futures fell 0.75%.

On Tuesday, August 11, the Hang Seng Index opened 61.1 points higher, or 0.24%, at 25,998.59; the Hang Seng Tech Index opened 13.35 points higher, or 0.27%, at 4,932.81; the H-share Index opened 32.22 points higher, or 0.37%, at 8,654.06; and the Red Chip Index opened 9.4 points higher, or 0.23%, at 4,152.25.

The container shipping index (Europe route) main contract fell by more than 3.00% during the day, and is currently trading at 1585.0 points.

Indonesian Automobile Manufacturers Association: Car sales in Indonesia increased by 33.3% year-on-year in July.

Hang Seng Index futures opened 0.17% higher at 25,991 points, a premium of 57 points.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung: Priority should also be given to non-chip-based artificial intelligence fields, such as small modular reactors.