News

The yield on Japan's 5-year government bonds fell 1 basis point to 2.15%.

According to the Financial Times, Libya is seeking up to $40 billion in funding to develop its oil resources.

Data from the U.S. Treasury Department shows that foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury securities declined in June, primarily due to reductions in holdings by Japan, the UK, and China. Total foreign holdings fell to $9.299 trillion in June from $9.371 trillion in May, but still increased by 2.3% year-on-year. Japan remains the largest holder outside the U.S., although its holdings declined by 2.3% to $1.116 trillion, well below the peak of $1.325 trillion in November 2021. Data from the U.S. Treasury Department's International Capital System shows that foreign investors net liquidated approximately $72 billion in U.S. Treasury securities in June, with Japan, China, and some custody centers being net sellers, and Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland being net buyers. Foreign net selling over the past three months totaled $56 billion, while net buying over the past 12 months totaled $205 billion. Total inflows into the U.S., including equities, remained strong in June at $173 billion. ING stated that with the 60-day U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement expiring without a resolution, coupled with continued issuance pressure from mega-corporations, the tone of the U.S. Treasury market remains bearish and may decline further. The bank attributes the recent rise in real yields to a return to pre-financial crisis levels, rather than a genuine market misalignment. In the Eurozone, the ECB's balance sheet reduction has led to tighter liquidity, which will ultimately support a structurally bearish outlook for German government bonds.

Trader: RBI may sell dollars to limit rupee depreciation.

NI225's decline widened to 2%.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office: The remaining crew members are currently receiving assistance from the Omani Coast Guard.

The UK Maritime Trade Organization stated that the incident caused damage to the engine room and resulted in crew injuries and fatalities.

UK Maritime Trade Operations Office: Received a report of an incident in the Strait of Hormuz.

Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 0.3%, German DAX futures fell 0.3%, and UK FTSE 100 futures rose 0.1%.

U.S. stock index futures weakened, with S&P 500 futures down 0.2% and Nasdaq futures down 0.4%.

Mayor of Moscow: Russia shot down 180 drones overnight in the Moscow region.

Hong Kong stocks' two major MINIMAX-W stocks declined, with Zhipu (02513.HK) falling more than 10% and MINIMAX-W (00100.HK) falling more than 8%.

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened down 84.36 points, or 0.33%, at 25368.87 on Tuesday, August 18th; the Hang Seng Tech Index opened down 13.22 points, or 0.28%, at 4768.81 on Tuesday, August 18th; the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index opened down 24.59 points, or 0.29%, at 8415.38 on Tuesday, August 18th; and the Hang Seng Red Chip Index opened up 0.91 points, or 0.02%, at 4162.39 on Tuesday, August 18th.

Hong Kong stocks opened lower, with the Hang Seng Index down 0.33% and the Tech Index down 0.28%. Chow Sang Sang (00116.HK) opened 11% higher, expecting interim attributable profit of HK$2.1 billion to HK$2.2 billion.

The yield on Japan's 20-year government bonds rose 2.5 basis points to 3.835%.

Crop survey by Pro Farmer, a subsidiary of Farm Futures magazine, predicts that the average number of soybean pods in South Dakota will be 945.98 in 2026, compared to 1188.45 in 2025.

ProFarmer, a subsidiary of Farm Futures magazine, projects South Dakota corn yields of 149.09 bushels per acre in 2026 and 174.18 bushels per acre in 2025.

ProFarmer, a subsidiary of Farm Futures magazine, projects an average of 1,197.25 soybean pods in Ohio in 2026, compared to 1,287.28 pods in 2025.

On August 17, WTI (USO) nominal exposure was approximately 24.5849 million barrels, an increase of 0.10 million barrels in a single day; Brent (BNO) futures open interest was approximately 7.661 million barrels, an increase of 3.90 million barrels in a single day. Click to view complete open interest data and capture changes in funds beyond oil prices.

The yield on Japan's 30-year government bonds rose 4.5 basis points to 4.12%.