Real-time News

March 9th - According to the latest smartphone research from TrendForce, global smartphone production reached 337 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 2.7% increase quarter-on-quarter, thanks to the surge in sales of new Apple models. Furthermore, Apple and Samsung both produced nearly 240 million units in 2025, tying for the top spot globally. TrendForce stated that the smartphone market benefited from subsidies in the Chinese market in the first half of 2025, while the traditional peak season contributed to the second half, resulting in a total production of approximately 1.254 billion units for the year, a 2.5% year-on-year increase. In 2026, due to soaring memory prices, smartphone costs increased sharply, and global production is expected to decrease by at least 10% year-on-year, falling to 1.135 billion units. Brand manufacturers face a dilemma of "raising prices to maintain profits" and "reducing specifications to maintain volume," with the low-end market bearing the brunt.

Fitch Ratings: Global corporate cash flow will increase in 2026; the impact of the Iran war remains unclear.

Gold prices fell 1% on Monday as markets worried that rising energy prices could exacerbate inflation and delay US interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, oil prices surged above $100 a barrel as major Gulf oil producers began cutting production. Nevertheless, Saxo Bank analysts noted in a report: "The current surge in oil prices reflects a supply shock rather than increased demand, which exacerbates the risk of stagflation and could ultimately force central banks to provide economic support. In the short term, deleveraging and a stronger dollar may put pressure on gold prices, but this does not eliminate the fundamental reasons for the increasing influx of investors into hard assets in recent years."

March 9th - Apple is set to release its first foldable phone, the iPhone Fold, in the second half of the year. Supply chain sources indicate that Apple is very confident in the sales volume of the new phone and has significantly increased the inventory prepared by its supply chain, raising it by 20% above the original target. This is a rare instance of Apple significantly increasing its inventory requirements for new phones in recent years.

French auto stocks fell 1.9% to 5.2%.

European bank stocks fell 3%, hitting a more than three-month low.

March 9th - Hong Kong's major stock indices opened lower this morning but subsequently rebounded, narrowing their losses. At the close, the Hang Seng Index fell 1.35%, and the Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 0.12%. Total turnover for the Hang Seng Index reached HK$392.33 billion. Southbound capital inflows reached HK$37.213 billion, a record high for a single day. In terms of sectors and individual stocks, energy equipment and services, and construction products sectors led the gains; ground transportation and passenger airlines sectors led the declines. Among individual stocks, XunCe (03317.HK) surged 52.37%, and MiniMax (00100.HK) rose 23.77%. XPeng Motors (09868.HK) rallied in the afternoon, closing up 5.65% for the day.

The Israel Defense Forces detected another missile launch by Iran.

According to Interfax news agency, Russia will evacuate some of its staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

On March 9, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India is committed to ensuring energy security. This comes after the world's third-largest oil consumer faced supply risks and price shocks following the US threat to escalate the already disruptive conflict with Iran. Speaking to parliament on Monday, Jaishankar said, "National interests, including energy security and trade sources, remain paramount. The government remains committed to fully considering the costs and risks of the energy market and ensuring this comprehensively." He added, "For us, the interests of Indian consumers have always been and will always be an overriding priority. Indian diplomacy has supported the efforts of our energy companies in turbulent times, when needed." Jaishankar expressed India's desire to ensure regional peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index has fallen 10% from its February high and is poised for a correction.

The Hang Seng Index closed down 348.83 points, or 1.35%, at 25,408.46 on Monday, March 9; the Hang Seng Tech Index closed down 5.77 points, or 0.12%, at 4,941.73 on Monday, March 9; the H-share Index closed down 46.67 points, or 0.54%, at 8,581.46 on Monday, March 9; and the Red Chip Index closed down 45.52 points, or 1.04%, at 4,311.74 on Monday, March 9.

According to Nikkei: Japanese insurance companies will include Qatari waters in their premium increase plans.

On March 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jia-kun held a regular press conference. Guo stated that the Nuclear Energy Summit is the highest-level multilateral international conference specifically focused on nuclear energy development. Against the backdrop of global climate change and green, low-carbon transformation, the second summit will focus on important topics such as nuclear energy development strategies, financing mechanisms, and innovative pathways. Leaders of participating countries will deliver keynote speeches and issue a joint statement. China is a major nuclear energy power and an important advocate, participant, and contributor to international nuclear energy cooperation. China looks forward to strengthening communication and exchanges with all parties, building consensus on cooperation, and promoting more just and reasonable global nuclear energy governance, more inclusive and equitable nuclear energy development, and more open and orderly nuclear energy cooperation through its participation in this summit.

The yield on UK five-year government bonds rose to its highest level since March 2025, reaching 4.303%, up 22 basis points on the day.

European chip stocks fell, with ASML down 5.5% and STMicroelectronics down 4.4%.

The German DAX 30 index opened down 498.51 points, or 2.12%, at 23,049.00 on Monday, March 9th; the UK FTSE 100 index opened down 169.05 points, or 1.64%, at 10,115.70; and the French CAC 40 index opened down 197.30 points, or 2.47%, at 7,796.19. (European...) The Stoxx 50 index opened down 162.84 points, or 2.85%, at 5557.06 on Monday, March 9; the Spanish IBEX 35 index opened down 516.75 points, or 3.03%, at 16537.75 on Monday, March 9; and the Italian FTSE MIB index opened down 1284.76 points, or 2.91%, at 42867.50 on Monday, March 9.