Real-time News

Euro Stoxx 50 futures and German DAX futures rose 0.6%.

As of 8:30 AM Beijing time, spot platinum was up 0.29% and spot palladium was up 0.29%.

Futures News, May 25th - According to foreign media reports, Malaysian palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange (BMD) are likely to open higher on Monday morning, primarily reflecting the potential tightening of export supplies due to new Indonesian policies, which could boost the outlook for Malaysian palm oil exports. Last week, Indonesia planned to establish a centralized export agency to handle the export of key commodities, including palm oil. This move could lead to tighter supply, thus benefiting Malaysian palm oil exports. Indonesia is the world's leading palm oil producer and exporter. The strong rise in Chicago soybean oil futures last week, coupled with a weaker ringgit, also supported the palm oil market. The lower ringgit made it more affordable for buyers holding foreign currency to purchase palm oil. However, with the US and Iran nearing an agreement, the decline in Brent crude oil futures in Asian electronic trading on Monday, along with a decrease in Malaysian palm oil exports, will limit the upward momentum of the palm oil market.

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry: Economic growth was driven by strong performance in wholesale trade, manufacturing, and the financial and insurance sectors.

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry maintains its 2026 economic growth forecast of 2% to 4%, despite the continued rise in downside risks from the Iran war.

Data from the Intercontinental Exchange shows that the near-month contract for Dutch natural gas futures fell 5.4% to €46.05 per megawatt-hour.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reports a 4.5-magnitude earthquake in Coquimbo, Chile, with a depth of 35.4 kilometers.

May 25th - Both WTI and Brent crude oil prices fell to two-week lows in early Asian trading on Monday, as markets were optimistic that the US and Iran were close to reaching a peace agreement, despite remaining differences on key issues including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Trump said on Saturday that Washington and Iran had "fundamentally agreed" a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, disagreements remain on several thorny issues, and Trump said on Sunday that he had told his representatives not to rush into any agreement with Iran. Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at MST Marquee in Sydney, said, "While there are still many uncertainties and risks surrounding the peace agreement and the Strait of Hormuz, the glimmer of hope will provide some relief to oil prices in the short term." However, analysts expect it will take months for oil shipments through the strait to return to normal and for damaged oil and gas facilities to be repaired.

On May 25, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council announced that it will hold a regular press conference at 10:00 a.m. on May 27, 2026, in the press conference hall of the Taiwan Affairs Office, where the spokesperson will answer questions from reporters on recent cross-strait hot issues.

1. According to Ukrainian media citing an Air Force spokesperson, Russia launched a Hazel missile at the Kyiv region of Ukraine. 2. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, the Russian military used multiple types of missiles, including Hazel, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon, as well as attack drones, to strike Ukrainian military targets, excluding civilian infrastructure. 3. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia used 600 drones and 90 missiles to attack Ukraine. 4. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that the recent Russian attacks have injured at least 83 people, with others killed. 5. Leaders of several European countries condemned Russia's use of the Hazel missile against Ukraine. 6. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that its Alpha Special Operations Center attacked a fuel pumping station in Vladimir Oblast, Russia. 7. A Russian diplomat stated that recommendations have been drafted regarding the 27-point plan proposed by the US for resolving the Ukrainian crisis and are ready to be submitted. 8. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Karas: Next week, EU foreign ministers will discuss how to increase international pressure on Russia.

On May 25th, Japanese financial regulators are urging domestic listed companies to allocate more of their cash reserves to long-term business investments, rather than rewarding shareholders through share buybacks and increased dividends. Tatsufumi Shibat, a senior official at the Financial Services Agency, stated in an interview that, in addition to cash, executives should consider using cross-shareholdings and real estate assets to promote growth. He pointed out that regardless of where Japanese companies are on their growth curve, they tend to prioritize shareholder returns. "I don't think investors would make that demand of companies in a rapid growth phase," he said in the interview. Shifting the vast wealth held by businesses and households to fund future expansion is one of the core pillars of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to revitalize the Japanese economy. She has long criticized the cash reserves on corporate balance sheets.

On May 25th, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was visiting India, told the media on the 24th that a draft agreement between the US and Iran had gained the support of several Middle Eastern countries. Rubio said that seven to eight countries in the region currently support the draft, and the US is prepared to continue pushing it forward. Rubio also stated that nuclear negotiations are highly specialized, and "it's impossible to settle a nuclear matter in 72 hours by writing it on the back of a napkin," but President Trump's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons should not be questioned. Earlier that day, Trump posted on social media that negotiations with Iran were "going in an orderly and constructive manner," and that he had informed US representatives that there was no need to rush into an agreement with Iran.

On May 25th, European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde stated that the ECB is likely to raise its inflation outlook when policymakers meet next month. She said on Sunday that the March forecast of 2.6% inflation this year "may be revised," adding that the situation "has changed" since then. Her comments confirm recent signals from policymakers, including Governing Council member Demarco. Demarco, in an interview, suggested that the forecast, released shortly after the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq conflict, might have been overly optimistic. Lagarde declined to elaborate on whether such a revision would lead to a rate hike by the ECB on June 11th. "The current situation is so uncertain that we must examine all available data, assess how the economy will develop in the coming quarters, determine whether action is needed, and what the medium-term impact will be," she said. "Our target is 2% in the medium term."

On May 25th, Kevin Hassett, US President Trump's chief economic advisor, stated that he believes the eventual drop in oil prices will create room for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. "We again expect that once an agreement is reached, energy prices will plummet," Hassett said. "When that happens, the Fed will have ample room to take the right action and lower interest rates." He emphasized his respect for the Fed's independence and praised Kevin Warsh, who was sworn in as Fed chairman last Friday. While the surge in US fuel prices caused by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses a growing political risk to Trump and his Republicans in the November midterm elections, Hassett believes that accelerating inflation is primarily driven by energy prices. "If you look at the recent data reports, energy prices are absolutely worrying, but core prices have hardly changed," he said. "I think once we see energy prices fall, you might actually see negative inflation because of the drop in energy prices."

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde: The current situation is too uncertain to make a commitment on interest rates; inflation forecasts may be revised in June, at which time the ECB will assess the economic situation by taking all data into account.

May 25th - According to sources, Uber's board of directors met on Saturday to discuss raising its takeover bid for German food delivery group Delivery Hero. Uber had previously offered €38 per share to Delivery Hero's largest shareholder, but this was rejected. Uber is currently evaluating whether to raise its offer again. Meanwhile, several Delivery Hero shareholders have stated they are seeking a price of over €40 per share for the entire company, which would value the company at approximately €13 billion.

According to the Financial Times, Uber (UBER.N) is considering a higher offer from Delivery Hero after its €11.5 billion takeover bid was rejected.

According to Fox News, citing US officials, Tehran has initially agreed to the framework of the agreement. We have completed 95% of the negotiations and are currently discussing the specific wording.