News

Japan's Jera Corporation said it is seeking to expand its long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) export business to broaden its global footprint and absorb excess supply. The company is one of the world's largest LNG buyers.

According to Reuters, South Korea has cancelled its scheduled report to Congress on its U.S. investment plans, originally scheduled for Thursday.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: Cabinet reshuffle to be held on Thursday

Nippon Steel: U.S. Steel Corporation Košice will invest approximately 900 million euros.

Hong Kong stocks opened higher, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.5% and the Tech Index up 0.47%. Lenovo Group (00992.HK) rose about 2%, while Zhipu (02513.HK) fell more than 3%.

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened 122.67 points higher, or 0.5%, at 24,789.91 on Wednesday, September 16th; the Hang Seng Tech Index opened 20.36 points higher, or 0.47%, at 4,311.7 on Wednesday, September 16th; the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index opened 36.68 points higher, or 0.45%, at 8,241.59 on Wednesday, September 16th; and the Hang Seng Red Chip Index opened 5.8 points higher, or 0.14%, at 4,074.39 on Wednesday, September 16th.

Australia's Westpac Leading Index for August fell 0.04% month-on-month, compared to 0.03% previously.

Boeing (BA.N): The company and Korean Air announced that the airline has finalized an order for 103 Boeing wide-body and single-aisle aircraft.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index opened 18.10 points higher, or 0.21%, at 8690.60 on Wednesday, September 16.

The Australian Mining and Energy Union (MEN) announced that Ulan underground miners will hold a rally in March on Thursday and Friday due to Glencore's failure to provide good local jobs and fair wages.

On Wednesday, September 16, the NI225 index opened 11.05 points higher, or 0.02%, at 63,495.15.

The yield on Japan's 30-year government bonds rose 3.0 basis points to 4.180%.

Japan's Ministry of Finance: Japan's exports to China in August increased by 20.6% year-on-year; exports to Asia increased by 21.4% year-on-year; exports to the United States increased by 24.9% year-on-year; and exports to the European Union increased by 11% year-on-year.

Japan's Ministry of Finance reported that crude oil imports in August rose 3.6% year-on-year; thermal coal imports fell 13.6% year-on-year to 9.092 million tons; and liquefied natural gas imports fell 6.8% year-on-year to 4.99 million tons.

Japan's seasonally adjusted merchandise trade balance for August was -840.588 billion yen, compared to a forecast of -984.2 billion yen and a previous reading of -686 billion yen.

Japan's core machinery orders rose 11.2% year-on-year in July, below the expected 15.3% and the previous reading of 16.90%.

Japan's core machinery orders fell 3.7% month-on-month in July, compared with an expected decline of 2.8% and a previous reading of 9.70%.

Japan's merchandise imports rose 28% year-on-year in August, below the expected 26.3% and the previous figure revised from 27.80% to 27.90%.

Japan's merchandise exports rose 19.3% year-on-year in August, below the expected 18.2% and the previous month's 23.20%.

Japan's unadjusted merchandise trade balance for August was -1,105.6 billion yen, compared with a forecast of -1,052.6 billion yen and a revised previous figure of -638.3 billion yen (originally -634.5 billion yen).