Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
×Market Moves
Asian stocks rose with Japan and South Korea reaching record highs, while South Korea's Kospi gained over 40% this year, breaking above 6,000 points. Bitcoin recovered to $65,000 amid bargain buying, helping Wall Street gains. Asian currencies strengthened to a 16-month high on a weaker dollar, with the Australian dollar jumping on hotter-than-expected CPI data.
Banking & Earnings
HSBC beat full-year profit forecasts with 2026 net interest income targets above street estimates, sending its shares up 2%. The bank's bonus pool rose to $3.93 billion, the highest in at least a decade. Santander targets over €20 billion in profit by 2028 as it integrates acquisitions in the U.S. and UK. Bureau Veritas reported 2025 earnings in line and unveiled a new €200 million share buyback plan.
Energy & Commodities
UK energy bills will hit almost a two-year low in April after the government moved renewable energy costs from household bills to general taxation. Oil prices rose as traders braced for U.S.-Iran talks amid tensions that have already driven crude to six-month highs. Gold prices gained 1% as tariff jitters boosted haven demand, with silver and platinum also rallying.
Asia & Emerging Markets
Hong Kong seeks to attract more yuan borrowers amid de-dollarization trends and China's push to build a global yuan. The city's 2026 budget benefits technology and financial companies as the government accelerates AI adoption. Indonesia began marketing its second offshore yuan bond in four months amid fiscal concerns in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Zambia will start a stabilization fund this year using larger-than-expected copper mining revenues.