Financial News

Sea Insider Sold Shares Worth $1,698,723, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Gang Ye, Director and Chief Operating Officer, on April 08, 2026, sold 20,000 shares in Sea (SE) for $1,698,723. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ye has control over a total of 22,756,405 Class A ordinary shares of the company, with 22,396,405 shares held directly and 360,000 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1703399/000119312526150247/xslF345X05/ownership.xml

Sea Insider Sold Shares Worth $15,465,954, According to a Recent SEC Filing

David Y Ma, Director, on April 08, 2026, sold 178,005 shares in Sea (SE) for $15,465,954. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ma has control over a total of 1,285,387 Class A ordinary shares of the company, with 10,000 shares held directly and 1,275,387 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1703399/000119312526150249/xslF345X05/ownership.xml

NY Crude Up 0.9% at Near US$98.75

U.S. Natural Gas Prices Fell in Week Ended April 8 Amid Above-Average Temperatures, EIA Reports

The U.S. benchmark Henry Hub natural gas price dropped US$0.19 to $2.80/million British thermal units in the week ended April 8, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in its Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report Supplement released Thursday.Above-average temperatures across most of the country kept daily natural gas demand relatively low for this time of year by limiting heating and cooling needs, the EIA noted.Still, natural gas demand across sectors rose 1.3 billion cubic feet per day week over week, the EIA reported, citing LSEG Data.Net injections into storage amounted to 50 Bcf in the week ended April 3, resulting in total working gas stocks of 1,911 Bcf, according to the agency. This was 87 Bcf more than the five-year average and 89 Bcf more than the year-ago period.The liquefied natural gas-carrying capacity of vessels departing U.S. ports was 141 Bcf, down 8 Bcf from the previous week. Thirty-seven LNG vessels left the U.S., down two vessels week over week, the EIA said.

S&P Futures Flat Ahead of U.S. and Iran Peace Talks Tomorrow, US CPI Data Today

WTI Crude Oil Futures Rise 0.9% to $98.70 Pre-Bell; Brent Futures Climb 0.7% to $96.61

Commerzbank on Overnight News

Commerzbank in its "European Sunrise" note of Friday highlighted:Markets: United States Treasuries partly reverse earlier gains in the late New York session, slightly weaker in Asia. E-minis maintain Thursday's gains. The euro (EUR) unchanged at $1.169. Brent trends sideways around $96.3/barrel.Fed: Senate Banking Committee delays Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve chair confirmation hearing. White House National Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett says he was confident Warsh would start as Fed chair in May.Middle East: President Donald Trump is "very optimistic" about a peace deal with Iran (NBC interview), but threatens Iran for charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz, warning "they better stop now." Israel agrees to direct talks with Lebanon; talks to begin next week (Axios). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says strikes on Hezbollah targets will continue.NATO: President Trump renews threat to take control of Greenland. He pressures allies to increase support in securing the Strait of Hormuz.==EUROPE:EU: Talks with the United Kingdom continue to let Ukraine buy British arms via the currently stalled 90 billion European Union loan (Bloomberg sources).Hungary: President Trump says "get out and vote for Victor Orban" in the upcoming parliamentary election.BoE: Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warns that stress in the $3 trillion private credit market, coupled with the ongoing energy price shock, could trigger broader financial instability.==ASIA:China: The consumer price index rose 1.0% year over year in March, while the consensus was 1.1%. The producer price index up 0.5% year over year versus the consensus 0.4%.BoJ governor warns of stagflation risk from Iran war.

Gold Futures Fall 1% to $4,771.9/Oz Pre-Bell; Silver Drops 1.5% to $75.29/Oz as Iran Truce Hangs in Balance

WTI, Brent Crude Futures Rise Pre-Bell as Trump Wants Hormuz Opened Before Peace Talks in Pakistan

Malaysian Shares Rebound Tracking Regional Rally as Islamabad Peace Talks Boost Sentiment

Malaysian shares ended higher on Friday, tracking gains across Asian markets as sentiment improved on signs of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ahead of highly anticipated US-Iran talks in Islamabad.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added 5.07 points to end 0.3% higher at 1,691.31. The day range was between 1,685.66 and 1,692.97.In economic news, Malaysia's unemployment rate stood at 2.9% in February, unchanged from the previous month, according to data released by the country's Department of Statistics.The sales value of Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade rose 5.3% annually to 156.3 billion ringgit in February, the Department of Statistics said. The growth was driven by a 7.7% increase in retail trade and a 5.7% rise in wholesale trade. Monthly, the sales value declined by 2.2%, the data showed.In corporate news, shares of Wasco (KLSE:WASCO) slid about 3% on close on news that it is seeking to renew its authorization to conduct revenue-generating transactions at its upcoming annual general meeting. The conglomerate is also seeking its shareholders' nod to renew authority to purchase up to 10% of the issued shares of the company.

US 10-Year Treasury Yield Steady at 4.29% Pre-Bell; 1-Yr Rate Up 2.8 Basis Points at 3.71%

Crude Oil Prices Rise as Attacks on Saudi Infrastructure Exacerbate Supply Concerns

Crude oil prices rose on Friday amid concerns about recent attacks on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and its impact on global supply.Brent crude at last look gained 1% to US$96.89/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 0.9% to $98.83/barrel. Prices are still expected to record weekly losses amid market optimism about the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and Israel signaling a potential diplomatic opening, Reuters said in a Friday report.Attacks on Saudi facilities have cut its oil production capacity by about 600,000 barrels per day and throughput on the East-West Pipeline by about 700,000 bpd, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing an official source at the Ministry of Energy.Meanwhile, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was well below 10% of normal volumes on Thursday despite the ceasefire, Reuters reported.Mukesh Sahdev, founder & CEO of energy consultancy XAnalysts, said in the Reuters report that the "key variable now is how flows through the Strait of Hormuz actually resume - not whether they reopen."

US Treasury Yields Mixed Ahead of Inflation Report Amid Concerns Around Fragile Iran Ceasefire Deal

CBOE Volatility Index Falls Pre-Bell Ahead of CPI as Iran-US Truce Holds Before Talks in Pakistan

US Equity Futures Fall Pre-Bell Ahead of Inflation Report as Iran Ceasefire Deal Hangs in Balance

Correction: German Annual Inflation Confirmed at 2.7% in March

(Corrects month in the headline)Confirming the flash estimate, Germany's annual inflation rate increased to 2.7% in March from 1.9% in February, final data from the country's Federal Statistical Office showed Friday.On a monthly basis, consumer prices were up 1.1%, matching the preliminary reading and against the previous 0.2% uptick.The annual harmonized inflation rate for March was also confirmed at 2.8%, compared with 2% earlier. Meanwhile, harmonized consumer prices were affirmed to be 1.2% higher month over month, against the previous reading of a 0.4% gain.

Singapore Shares Close Shy of 5,000 Milestone as Islamabad Peace Talks Boost Sentiment

Singapore shares recorded gains on Friday to end the week in green, as the Asian market reacted positively to a tentative geopolitical de-escalation in the Middle East ahead of the highly anticipated talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad.The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 4,973.10 and 4,999.30 throughout the day. It ended the session at 4,989.41, up 12.33 points or nearly 0.3% compared to Thursday's close.On the corporate front, shares of BH Global (SGX:BQN) were down nearly 7% at the close as it proposed to renew its share buyback mandate.Metis Energy (SGX:L02) closed over 2% higher as it reported three consecutive years of pre-tax losses for its three most recent financial years.Meanwhile, shares of City Developments (SGX:C09) were nearly flat as it established a SG$2 billion multicurrency perpetual bonds issuance program.

South Korean Shares Close Higher Ahead of US-Iran Ceasefire Talks in Islamabad

South Korean shares closed higher on Friday as Iran and the US gear up for ceasefire talks in Pakistan's Islamabad later in the day after both sides agreed to a two-week truce on Thursday.US Vice President JD Vance is headed to Islamabad, while Tehran's participation in the talks remains uncertain after Israel attacked Beirut earlier this week.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 80.86 points, or 1.4%, to end at 5,858.87. The Kosdaq also increased by 17.63 points, or 1.6%, to close at 1,093.63.In economic news, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Board on Friday decided to keep the base rate steady at 2.50% for the intermeeting period, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the recent developments in the Middle East, which could fan inflation.The central bank's decision was largely expected by all 31 economists polled ​by Reuters. Most of the 30 economists expect no rate change through this year, with only four forecasting an increase--three to 2.75% and one to 3% by year-end.Annual inflation is now projected to surpass the February forecasts of 2.2% for headline inflation and 2.1% for core inflation. However, uncertainty remains high due to oil prices, exchange rates, policy effects, and cost pass-through levels.In corporate news, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (KRX:097230) won a redevelopment project in Busan from the Beomcheon 5 District Redevelopment Project Association, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract is valued at 349.7 billion won.Shares of the shipbuilder rose more than 2% at market close.

Taiwan's Exports, Imports Rise in March

Taiwan's exports rose 61.8% year on year in March to a record $80.2 billion, while imports increased 38.3% on year to a record $58.9 billion, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday.Monthly, exports jumped 61% from February, while imports climbed 59.1%, the data showed.For January to March, cumulative exports totaled US$195.7 billion, up 51.1% from the same period a year earlier, while cumulative imports reached $142.8 billion, an increase of 34.8% from a year ago.

Hong Kong Stocks End in Green as Investors Track US-Iran Talks; Haidilao Chairman to Increase Stake in Firm

Hong Kong stocks closed marginally higher Friday as investors held out hope for a breakthrough in the upcoming peace talks between Iran and the U.S.The Hang Seng Index rose by around 141.14 points, or roughly 0.6%, to end at 25,893.54, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 43.21 points, or around 0.5%, to close at 8,655.04.U.S. and Iranian delegations arrived in Islamabad on Friday ahead of crucial talks beginning Saturday that could pave the way for a definitive peace treaty between the two sides.However, tensions lingered between both sides, as Israel continued attacks on Lebanon while Washington accused Iran of failing to re-open the Strait of Hormuz as promised.In corporate news, Haidilao International (HKG:6862) said its chairman and controlling shareholder Zhang Yong plans to increase his stake by no less than HK$100 million within 12 months.Shares of the restaurant operator gained nearly 3%.Pateo Connect Technology (Shanghai) (HKG:2889) entered a framework agreement to develop embodied intelligence with the Graduate School of AI Operating System of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Shares of the smart cockpit solutions provider closed almost 4% lower.