Switzerland Economic Sentiment Index

Italy BTP€i Auction

Italy 2-Year BTP Short Term Auction

Germany 15/20-Year Bund Auction

Soybean futures held above $12.2 per bushel, staying near a four-week high as weaker US crop conditions and fresh export demand supported prices. The USDA’s national soybean rating dipped over the past week, with the share of the crop rated good-to-excellent falling 1 percentage point to 60% for the week ended August 23. Although 91% of the crop had reached the pod-setting stage, traders remain focused on whether further deterioration could reduce production potential and tighten the balance sheet ahead of harvest. Meanwhile, private exporters reported a sale of 132,000 tonnes of new-crop US soybeans to an unknown destination, with traders speculating that China could be the buyer. The potential purchase comes as US-China trade tensions remain in focus, with the prospect of new US tariffs on Chinese goods adding uncertainty around future soybean demand. Markets are also watching a potential late-September meeting between Trump and Xi that could shape agricultural trade.

Soybeans Hold at 1-Month High

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.6% to above 66,000 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as falling oil prices eased concerns over higher inflation in the near term. Japanese stocks also tracked gains on Wall Street overnight as long-term Treasury yields declined sharply, while investors awaited greater clarity on the US government’s fiscal reform plans. Meanwhile, traders looked ahead to chip giant Nvidia’s earnings report later in the global day for fresh clues on the strength of artificial intelligence-related demand. Among individual stocks, notable gains came from Advantest (2%), SoftBank Group (2.7%) and Mitsubishi UFJ (1.6%). In corporate news, Terra Drone surged more than 20% after Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency selected the aircraft company to supply the Japan Self-Defense Forces with its Terra B1 interceptor drone under a fast-tracked program aimed at strengthening counter-uncrewed aircraft capabilities.

Japanese Shares Gain for Second Session

US natural gas prices rose to around $2.81/MMBtu on Wednesday, recovering from a one-week low reached in the previous session as forecasts for hotter weather lifted expectations for stronger cooling demand. According to the Commodity Weather Group, forecasts shifted toward hotter conditions, with above-average temperatures anticipated across the Gulf, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions from August 30 through September 8. However, price gains were capped by strong domestic production, which added to oversupply concerns. Lower-48 output averaged a record 111.4 bcfd so far in August, up from 110.7 bcfd in July, while inventories remained 6.7% above the five-year seasonal average as of August 14. Softer LNG export activity has also weighed on prices, with average gas flows to the nine major LNG export facilities falling slightly to 17.1 bcfd so far this month from 17.2 bcfd in July, leaving more natural gas available for domestic use.

US Natgas Prices Rebound

The Japanese yen appreciated to around 159 per dollar on Wednesday, snapping a two-day decline as oil prices fell further on hopes of renewed diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, easing concerns over higher inflation in the near term. The yen also benefited from dollar weakness as markets prepared for a key US inflation reading and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech later this week. Domestically, former Bank of Japan board member Seiji Adachi said the central bank will likely raise rates next month and again as early as January, warning that holding rates could reignite a yen selloff and accelerate import-driven inflation. Markets are currently pricing in around an 80% probability that the BOJ will raise rates by 25 basis points to 1.25% next month, up sharply from about 23% before the central bank’s July meeting. Meanwhile, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will not attend the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium this week due to a scheduling conflict.

Trending Symbols And Events

Most latest news, events and ideas for smart decisions

Latest News