Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index closed slightly higher on Sunday, supported by gains in the industrial, cement, and construction sectors, even as more stocks fell than rose.
Morgan Stanley reiterated its Overweight rating on Xiaomi, forecasting the company will be a primary beneficiary of China's growing AI-powered home appliance sector due to its integrated product ecosystem.
South Korea's Kospi index is trading at a record-low forward price-to-earnings ratio, even after an 80% rally this year, as soaring corporate profits driven by AI chip demand have outstripped share price gains.
Russia is using a new generation of small, fiber-optic-guided drones to bypass electronic warfare defenses and strike critical Ukrainian electricity substations, according to a recent analysis. The highly cost-effective tactic targets high-value components, threatening to isolate regions from the national power grid.
The main sea freight index for dry bulk commodities rose on Friday, capping a strong weekly performance driven by a significant surge in rates for larger capesize vessels.
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has publicly pledged vengeance for the killing of his father, escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East and adding to uncertainty that could impact global energy markets.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, until further notice, according to state media. The move threatens to severely disrupt energy markets and escalate regional tensions.
The British pound traded flat against a resilient U.S. dollar, as investors looked past last week's soft jobs data and focused on expectations for a hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting minutes.
The Bank of Israel lowered its benchmark interest rate for the second consecutive time, citing concerns that a persistently strong shekel is hurting the nation's exporters and technology sector.
