Auteur

Wei Zhang

Asia Correspondent. Reports on China's economy, Japanese and Indian markets, and trade flows across the region. He connects manufacturing data, policy shifts, and currency moves to what global investors watch in Asian sessions.

Articles de Wei Zhang

Protesters gather with signs supporting Black Lives Matter and denouncing Donald Trump in a peaceful rally.

Commodities20 septembre 20264 min de lecture

Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill Allowing 100% Tariffs on Major Energy Buyers, Targeting India and China

US President Donald Trump signed into law a bill championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham that authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas. The measure, which expands sanctions on Russia’s financial and energy sectors, puts India and China — the biggest buyers of Russian oil — in the crosshairs, though the legislation leaves wide discretion to the White House in implementation.

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Wei Zhang

Entrance to China International Industry Fair 2023 in Shanghai, featuring people and cars.

Asia9 septembre 20264 min de lecture

Investors Flock to Chinese Stock Options as Crowded Asian AI Trades Spur Diversification

Trading desks from Barclays to UBS are reporting rising client demand for bullish Chinese equity derivatives as investors seek alternatives to crowded artificial intelligence bets in South Korea and Japan. Strategists are recommending mid‑ and small‑cap options trades, with implied volatility near its one‑year average making positioning cheaper.

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Wei Zhang

Close-up of a woman reviewing financial documents with focus on numbers and calculations.

Asia8 septembre 20264 min de lecture

Investors Pivot to Chinese Equity Derivatives as Crowded AI Trades in Korea, Japan Lose Allure

Demand for bullish options and swaps on China’s CSI indexes is surging as global investors seek alternatives to overheated artificial intelligence positions in South Korea and Japan, with Barclays, UBS and Bank of America all reporting rising client interest.

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Wei Zhang

Asia8 septembre 20263 min de lecture

Investors Pivot to Chinese Equity Derivatives as Crowded Korea, Japan AI Trades Spur Diversification Push

Demand for bullish options and swap contracts tied to China’s CSI indexes is surging as traders seek exposure to Chinese technology and AI as an alternative to crowded equity bets in South Korea and Japan, according to trading desks and strategists.

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Wei Zhang

Close-up of US dollar bills on a wooden table, representing finance and commerce.

Forex29 août 20263 min de lecture

India forex reserves hit record $729.3 billion, bolstering rupee defense arsenal

India's foreign exchange reserves surged to an all-time high of $729.33 billion as of August 21, driven by a wave of NRI deposits under a central bank swap window, strengthening the Reserve Bank of India's capacity to defend the rupee amid lingering global uncertainty.

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Wei Zhang

Street signs in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward showing directions to Chidorigafuchi and Shutoko. Urban traffic concept.

Emerging Markets20 août 20264 min de lecture

Japan Bond Rout Pressures Prime Minister Takaichi's Fiscal Strategy, Analysts Warn

The 10-year JGB yield is nearing 3%, a level the government used as its budget assumption, threatening the premise that growth will outpace borrowing costs. Analysts say available tools are temporary patches as inflation and an expansionary fiscal stance complicate the BOJ's policy response.

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Wei Zhang

A captivating starry night sky with mist in Wda, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland.

IPOs19 août 20264 min de lecture

Milky Mist Soars 30% in India Debut, Gauging Investor Hunger for Branded Dairy Amid Valuation Warnings

Temasek-backed Milky Mist Dairy Food surged nearly 30% on its first trading day, underscoring strong demand for branded value-added dairy in India’s revived IPO market. Yet analysts caution the stock’s rich valuation—around 85 times earnings—may temper further gains.

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Wei Zhang

A male dancer executing a high jump in a studio setting, showcasing grace and agility.

IPOs16 août 20264 min de lecture

LEAP India Lists at 4% Premium, Falling Short of 8% Gray Market Signal

LEAP India shares debuted Friday at a 4.34% premium on the NSE, below the 8% gray market premium that had been priced in ahead of the Rs 2,480 crore IPO, as overall subscription of 8.38 times showed strong institutional demand but tepid retail participation.

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Wei Zhang

IPOs15 août 20264 min de lecture

LEAP India Debuts at 4% Premium, Stock Quickly Reverses as Subscription Data Shows Tepid Retail Demand

Shares of LEAP India Ltd. listed at a 4% premium on Friday but fell sharply below the issue price, as strong institutional demand contrasted with modest retail interest in the Rs 2,480-crore initial public offering.

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Wei Zhang

Close-up of a grinding machine in action with sparks flying in an industrial setting.

Asia31 juillet 20264 min de lecture

Oil Plunge Sparks Relief Rally as Iran Strikes Pause

Brent crude tumbled below $90 a barrel after President Trump halted strikes on Iran for two nights, triggering a broad rally in stocks and bonds as investors bet on easing geopolitical tensions.

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Wei Zhang

Front view of a traditional building at Sichuan University in Chengdu, showcasing distinct architectural features.

Asia29 juillet 20265 min de lecture

BofA Downplays China DUV Breakthrough, Calls ASML Rout an Overreaction

Bank of America analysts said the selloff in ASML shares following reports of a Chinese DUV lithography breakthrough is overdone, as the technology remains at an early stage and a domestic alternative faces high productivity hurdles. The reassessment comes as Asian chip stocks plunged on Tuesday, with South Korea’s Kospi triggering a circuit breaker.

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Wei Zhang

Detailed macro shot of the Eye of Providence on an American dollar bill.

Asia29 juillet 20264 min de lecture

Bank of America Sees ‘Over-Reaction’ in ASML Selloff, Says China DUV Threat Modest

Asian chip stocks tumbled Tuesday after a report that China had begun producing advanced lithography machines, but Bank of America told clients the development poses only a “modest threat” to ASML and called the market’s decline an “over-reaction.”

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Wei Zhang

Blurred background view with focus on fuel pump display showing price and liters.

Asia29 juillet 20264 min de lecture

Oil Prices Slide as US-Iran Tensions Ease; Brent Drops Below $92

Oil futures fell more than 4% on Monday after the U.S. and Iran refrained from further strikes over the weekend, with Omani-led talks offering a possible path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude slipped below $92 a barrel, reversing last week's surge above $100 amid the threat of a massive attack.

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Wei Zhang