Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
Japan Signals Possible Yen Intervention as Currency Weakens Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) is likely to stop providing new financing to coal-fired power plants, including more environmentally friendly projects, due to growing pressure from global investors and environmentalists.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is also pursuing zero greenhouse gas emissions, on a net basis, by 2050.
While SMFG announced it would not finance new coal-fired power plants in principle, it hasn’t ruled out funding more efficient coal-burning plants, such as the so-called “ultra-supercritical" or USC power plants.
It is now likely to remove that exception from its lending policy.
An SMFG spokesman said that while nothing had been decided, it would review its policy for businesses and industries that could have a major environmental impact.
Rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc has ceased funding coal power projects except under “special circumstances” based on a country’s energy policy and international agreements signed by Japan.
Meanwhile, No.3 lender Mizuho Financial Group Inc. would still fund coal projects that will be transformed into highly-efficient power plants.
Mizuho shareholders last year rejected a proposal, backed by Nordic funds including Nordea Asset Management, which sought to rein in the financing of coal projects in Asia.
