News

Australia's S&P/ASX200 index opened up 43.40 points, or 0.48%, on Wednesday, February 18, to 9002.30 points.

Japan's Reuters Tankan manufacturing sentiment index for February was 13, compared with the previous value of 7.

Japan's Reuters Tankan non-manufacturing sentiment index for February was 25, compared with the previous value of 32.

Market news: Japan is considering expanding the scope of exports of jointly developed weapons.

The situation in Gaza:1. Jordan and other eight countries jointly condemned Israel’s new land regulations in the West Bank. 2. The Israeli military said it had attacked Palestinian militants trying to cross the border into Syria. Iran situation:1. Shana, the official website of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum: The Iranian Oil Minister and the Russian Energy Minister met in Tehran. 2. The United States deploys F-22 and F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East. More than 10 F-22s and more than 30 F-16s are believed to have left the base. 3. On the eve of the US-Iran negotiations, the Strait of Hormuz was closed for several hours, and Iran carried out military exercises and launched missiles. 4. Iranian Foreign Minister: Iran and the United States have reached agreement on the guiding principles for negotiations. Negotiations with the United States have made "good progress." The date for the next round of U.S. talks has not yet been set. 5. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Nuclear energy is our inalienable right. The type and range of Iranian missiles have nothing to do with the United States. The United States cannot destroy Iran. 6. Iranian officials are reported to have proposed suspending uranium enrichment activities, moving some uranium stocks offshore, and reaching a commercial agreement with the United States to promote the nuclear negotiation process and avoid a U.S. strike. 7. US officials: Iran is expected to submit a detailed plan on the content of nuclear negotiations in the next two weeks. 8. President of Iran: Iran is willing to accept any form of verification on the peaceful nature of its nuclear industry. Iran will not give up its peaceful nuclear industry, which is used in medical, agricultural, industrial and other fields. 9. US Vice President Vance: In some respects, Iran negotiations are going well, but the Iranians are not yet willing to recognize some of the red lines set by Trump. Trump still hopes to find a solution. Others:1. A joint statement showed that eight countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, condemned Israel's decision to delineate "national land" in the occupied West Bank. 2. Turkish President Erdogan: I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is not beneficial to both Somaliland and the Horn of Africa. 3. Syrian Foreign Minister: Israel took advantage of the transitional phase that Syria is currently experiencing to occupy new territories after December 8, 2024. Our first and final condition is that Israel withdraws from the territories occupied after that date.

New Zealand imported PPI at an annual rate of 3.2% in the fourth quarter, compared with the previous value of 2.8%.

New Zealand's output PPI annual rate in the fourth quarter was 3.5%, compared with the previous value of 3.3%.

New Zealand’s input PPI quarterly rate in the fourth quarter was -0.5%, compared with the previous value of 0.20%.

New Zealand's output PPI quarterly rate in the fourth quarter was 0.1%, compared with the previous value of 0.60%.

Fitch: The U.S. deficit is expected to remain at a high level, with baseline forecasts at risk.

Fed Daly: The model shows that productivity improvements will push the neutral interest rate; the labor market shows less liquidity and vitality; it is unlikely to affect the neutral interest rate in the short term; growth is solid, but companies mentioned that demand is uncertain.

Fed Daley: The lack of jobs for new graduates is partly cyclical and partly because employers are uncertain about how artificial intelligence will impact their businesses.

Fed Daley: For businesses, the economy feels well supported.

Fed's Daley: Businesses are seeing a buyer's market in the labor market. For U.S. businesses, demand uncertainty has recently turned to cautious optimism.

Fitch Ratings: U.S. high-yield bond and loan default rates have increased moderately, and the credit environment remains positive.

According to AXIOS website reporter: Two people familiar with the matter said that the political group negotiations held in Geneva today have reached a deadlock. Sources said the reason was the position put forward by Russia's new chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky.

Vice President Vance: Maybe there will be a federal artificial intelligence standard, or a dominant state-wide standard.

US Vice President Vance: You will have a set of artificial intelligence standards.

US Vice President Vance: I am concerned about companies using artificial intelligence to spy on Americans.

US Vice President Vance: Trump has many options on Iran.