Real-time News

Harmony Gold: Steadily moving toward full-year production targets. On track to meet cost guidance for both gold and copper businesses.

Harmony Gold: Gold and copper revenues rose 34% to 68.4 billion rand (US$4.02 billion) in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026.

Harmony Gold: Gold production increased by 5% quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter of this fiscal year, while gold production in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 decreased by 3% to 33,393 kg.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: The Bushehr nuclear power plant project is only related to Iran and Russia, and no other party has the right to interfere.

On May 18th, it was announced at the JD.com 6.18 launch event that this year's JD.com 6.18 will be the first 6.18 to fully integrate AI across all scenarios and industries. Staff members stated that JD.com's AI-related R&D investment will increase by over 200% this year, and the company has already built a full-stack AI product matrix, as well as vertical-domain models such as the JD JoyAI basic model.

On May 18th, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) projected that the S&P 500 would rise to 7,900 points within the next 12 months, implying an upside of approximately 7.7%. However, the bank also warned that any pullback could be limited to 5% to 10%. RBC analyst Lori Calvasina stated that a deep decline of 14% to 20% is unlikely unless the risk of a recession re-emerges, describing the anticipated correction as "normal." This outlook is based on a divergent growth model driven by AI-driven earnings growth, with risks related to inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical shocks. The bank remains bullish on US equities and growth stocks.

Israeli Foreign Minister: I spoke with the chairman of the European People's Party. I briefed him on Iran and our direct negotiations with the Lebanese government.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosuke Akazawa held talks with the Director-General of the WTO. The two exchanged views on the necessity of reforms to restore and strengthen the WTO's functions, the importance of suspending tariffs on electronic transmissions, and agreed to work together to maintain and strengthen the multilateral trading system.

Royal Bank of Canada: It expects the S&P 500 to rise to 7,900 points over the next 12 months, implying an upside of about 7.7%, while any pullback is likely to remain within the range of 5%-10%.

Royal Bank of Canada: The downside for the S&P 500 is expected to be limited, with a maximum pullback of 10%.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol: Before the US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran at the end of February, there was a large surplus in the oil market, with commercial inventories at very high levels. But due to the war, the situation has changed rapidly.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol: With the arrival of the spring planting season and the summer tourism season in the Northern Hemisphere, demand for diesel, fertilizers, aviation fuel and gasoline will increase, and inventory will be depleted more quickly.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran's health minister discussed the damage caused by the war inflicted by the United States and Israel with the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: Today I attended the third "Meeting of Vice Ministers and Others Regarding Regional Future Strategy" and received a report on the discussions regarding the regional future strategy. The government will maintain close cooperation with relevant local governments to form industrial clusters with strategic real estate development as the growth foundation in 17 strategic areas.

According to Hong Kong Stock Exchange documents, Borui Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has submitted a listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to provide support to families in the south who have been forced to leave their homes, providing food, water, hygiene kits and other necessities to those in need both inside and outside the mission area.