Real-time News

The Central Bank of Uganda has kept its key lending rate at 9.75%.

February 9th - Vitol, the world's largest independent oil trader, stated that peak oil demand will arrive later than previously expected due to the slow pace of electric vehicle adoption. In a report released Monday, Vitol predicted that oil demand will peak sometime in the mid-2030s, reaching approximately 112 million barrels per day globally. The group's previous forecast placed the peak at the beginning of the next decade. The report also noted that by 2040, global oil demand will be approximately 5 million barrels per day higher than current levels.

The Kremlin: The US attempt to contain Cuba is creating difficulties, and we are discussing solutions with Havana. Cuba faces a serious aviation fuel supply situation.

The Eurozone's Sentix investor confidence index came in at 4.2 in February, the highest level since July 2025.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: I hope to create an economic system that can withstand exchange rate fluctuations.

On February 9th, the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges announced a package of measures to optimize refinancing, including strengthening supervision throughout the entire refinancing process. These measures emphasize the primary responsibility of listed companies for information disclosure and the "gatekeeper" role of intermediaries, establishing a mechanism for disclosing refinancing plans through the exchanges to prevent listed companies from submitting refinancing applications with pre-existing issues. Listed companies will be urged to make timely decisions and submit applications after disclosing their refinancing plans. The requirements for announcing refinancing plans will be improved; for fixed-price private placements aimed at acquiring control of the listed company, the listed company and the issuing entity must publicly commit to completing the issuance within the validity period of the approval document. Supervision of raised funds will be strengthened, and violations such as illegally changing the use of raised funds and unauthorized extensions of temporary working capital replenishment periods will be severely punished. In-process and post-process supervision will be intensified, and illegal and irregular refinancing activities will be dealt with strictly.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: I hope to reach a consensus on reducing the consumption tax before summer.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Rivera: Google (GOOG.O) is in talks with the European Commission and is working to make some changes.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: We will strive to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to achieve sustainable finance and win the market's trust in Japan's fiscal policy.

Eli Lilly (LLY.N) rose 2.2% in pre-market trading after Hims & Hers withdrew its plans to launch a weight-loss drug.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: Voters have gained understanding of the bold changes in policies such as government spending, national security, and intelligence.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: The government is closely monitoring market trends, including those in the foreign exchange market.

February 9th - Pansen Graham economist Elliott Jordan-Doc noted in a report that the UK Recruiting and Employment Confederation's employment report showed improved hiring intentions in January. The report's long-term employee placement index hit an 18-month high that month. He stated, "Hiring activity is recovering as policy uncertainty eases and economic activity picks up after the budget." Accelerated economic growth this year may also boost labor demand, further tightening the job market and supporting wage growth. Jordan-Doc said, "We are encouraged by the latest improved data and believe that hiring intentions will strengthen further in the first quarter as economic growth accelerates."

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: Willing to seek the participation of the Democratic Party for the People (which previously won 28 seats in the House of Representatives election) in the ruling coalition.

February 9th - Indian Oil Corporation (INC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HSP) jointly purchased a shipment of Venezuelan crude oil, marking the second such transaction by the country's refiners following a similar purchase by Reliance Industries. According to sources, India's largest state-owned refiner and its smaller counterpart purchased 2 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude. They stated that the oil will be shipped to INC's Paradeep refinery and HSP's Visakhapatnam plant. Following the US government's detention of Venezuelan President Maduro and its control of the country's energy industry, the Trump administration has designated trading giants Vitol and Trafigura to handle the sale of Venezuelan oil. Reliance Industries, a private Indian refiner, recently purchased a shipment, marking its return to the trade after a suspension following the expiration of US sanctions waivers last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: We will begin preparations for constitutional revision.

The chairman of the Munich Security Conference said that Ukrainian President Zelensky is expected to lead a Ukrainian delegation to the conference.