Real-time News

March 26th Futures News: 1. WTI crude oil futures trading volume was 1,031,433 lots, a decrease of 122,774 lots from the previous trading day. Open interest was 1,993,722 lots, a decrease of 8,343 lots from the previous trading day. 2. Brent crude oil futures trading volume was 230,750 lots, a decrease of 19,198 lots from the previous trading day. Open interest was 316,280 lots, an increase of 651 lots from the previous trading day. 3. Natural gas futures trading volume was 300,521 lots, a decrease of 90,680 lots from the previous trading day. Open interest was 1,505,694 lots, an increase of 1,642 lots from the previous trading day.

On March 26, it was learned that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korean General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in Pyongyang. Lukashenko stated that this foundational document outlines the goals and principles of bilateral cooperation and establishes the institutional framework for future mutually beneficial processes. During his talks with Kim Jong Un, Lukashenko indicated that relations between Belarus and North Korea have entered a new phase. Lukashenko arrived in Pyongyang on March 25 for a two-day visit to North Korea. This is the first visit to North Korea by a Belarusian leader.

On March 26, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated at a regular press conference on March 25 that Japan's intensified military cooperation with Ukraine would further diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry website, Zakharova commented on Japanese media reports that the Japanese government was considering purchasing Ukrainian-made drones. She said such reports indicate that Japan is increasingly involved in military cooperation with Ukraine, given the Ukrainian authorities' public expression of a desire to exchange drones for other weapons. Zakharova reiterated Russia's warning, stating that any attempt by the Japanese leadership to provide lethal weapons and military equipment to Ukraine would be considered a hostile act by Russia and would inevitably provoke severe retaliatory measures.

March 26th, Futures News: Economies.com analysts' latest view: WTI crude oil futures prices have maintained their previous gains in recent intraday trading, although they have broken below the major bullish trendline in the short term, negatively impacting price action. With prices trading below the 50-day EMA, crude oil prices continue to face negative and dynamic pressure, reducing the likelihood of a sustained short-term rebound. This rally has been supported by positive signals from the Relative Strength Index (RSI); however, the current RSI has reached severely overbought levels, indicating that positive momentum is gradually weakening relative to price action, which could threaten the continuation of the upward trend in the near future.

March 26th, Futures News: Economies.com analysts' latest view: Brent crude oil futures prices rose cautiously during the session, mainly supported by positive signals from the Relative Strength Index (RSI). However, as prices continue to trade below the 50-day EMA, negative pressure remains, reducing the likelihood of a sustained short-term rebound. Furthermore, the negative technical pattern that has formed in the short term—a double-top pattern—further exacerbates downward pressure on prices.

Bank of Japan: Will release core CPI figures monthly.

March 26 – Global investors may withdraw a record amount of money from Asian emerging markets (excluding China) as oil prices surge due to the Middle East conflict. Foreign investors have sold approximately $52 billion worth of Asian stocks since the start of the Iran-Iraq war, and data shows the region is on track for its largest monthly outflow since records began in 2009. Markets reliant on oil imports, such as South Korea and India, are leading the sell-off. High oil prices are putting pressure on the economies of major energy-importing countries in Asia. This month's stock outflows have already exceeded those of March 2020 due to the pandemic and are more than double the losses following the Ukraine war in June 2022. "We may see some short-term funds rotating into markets less affected by Middle East energy risks, and this could continue until the situation in Iran becomes clearer," said Gary Tan, a fund manager at Allspring Global Investments.

South Korea's Finance Minister announced that the price ceiling for fuel oil will be raised at midnight on Friday. The government will increase the operating rate of nuclear power plants and phase out coal-fired power plant capacity.

South Korea's Finance Minister announced that fuel tax reductions for gasoline and diesel will be increased to 15% and 25%, respectively.

South Korea's Finance Minister: Export controls on naphtha products will take effect at midnight on Friday.

South Korea's finance minister said the country will seek alternative sources of liquefied natural gas to replace supplies from Qatar.

March 26 - The U.S. population is growing at its slowest pace since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as declining immigration poses a threat to some sectors of the economy. A report released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that population growth will slow in most counties between July 2024 and July 2025, with 40% of counties experiencing a net population decline. The national population is projected to increase by 1.8 million to 342 million between July 2024 and July 2025, the lowest increase since the peak of the pandemic.

Israel Defense Forces: A missile launched from Iran has been detected heading towards Israeli territory. Defense systems are operational to intercept the threat.

Jefferies: Raises its target price for Arm (ARM.O) from $170 to $210.

Xtep International (01368.HK): Full-year revenue for 2025 is RMB 14.15 billion, with an estimated RMB 14.38 billion; full-year net profit is RMB 1.37 billion, with an estimated RMB 1.38 billion.

On March 26, Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with Tan Sen, President of the US-China Business Council, in Beijing. Liu Haixing stated that the current international situation is turbulent and uncertain, with increasing instability and uncertainty. China and the US should demonstrate their responsibility as major powers and jointly address global challenges. The business community is an important link and driving force in China-US relations. China appreciates the US-China Business Council's long-standing advocacy for cooperation with China and looks forward to the Council building more bridges for friendly exchanges between China and the US. This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and China will unswervingly expand high-level opening-up, welcoming American companies to share in China's development opportunities and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Tan Sen stated that the US business community pays close attention to China's development and is willing to continue to deepen its presence in the Chinese market. The US-China Business Council is committed to promoting US-China economic and trade cooperation and is also willing to make efforts to promote cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.

The yield on Japan's 40-year government bonds fell 5 basis points to 3.67%.

March 26 – The CEO of Philippine oil refining company Petron Corp. stated that the company had received a shipment of Russian oil. Earlier this month, the United States issued a sanctions waiver allowing countries to purchase Russian oil already loaded on tankers. This measure aims to alleviate oil shortages caused by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February. Asia, reliant on imports, has been hit hardest, as most of its crude oil comes from oil-producing countries in the region. Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Romualdez, stated that the Philippines is also striving for a general waiver from Washington to purchase oil directly from Russian producers. “We are one of many countries seeking the same treatment,” he said.