Flash News

TREE NEWS reports: The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index closed down 2.3% in preliminary trading, with Chinese ADRs broadly lower. XPeng fell 5.6%, Hesai lost 5.5%, Pony.ai dropped 4.2%, Alibaba slid 3.9%, and JD.com and Li Auto each fell 3.6%. Among ETFs, KWEB declined 2.6% and CQQQ slipped 1.1%.

TREE NEWS update: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors that there is no systemic risk from artificial intelligence, pushing back against concerns that AI could destabilize financial markets. The remarks were reported on a day when AI-related anxiety has been weighing on investor sentiment. Bessent did not elaborate on specific safeguards or regulatory measures in the account.

TREE NEWS reports: The US 10-year Treasury yield rose 1.68 basis points to 5.1253% in late New York trading on Wednesday, October 21, after touching a session high of 5.1525% at 03:03 Beijing time. The move followed reports that the US ordered the evacuation of diplomats from the Gulf region, which the State Department clarified was limited to Saudi Arabia. The two-year yield gained 2.77 basis points to 4.8038%, while the 30-year added 0.11 basis point to 5.4199%.

TREE NEWS update: The US State Department confirmed on October 21 that it has ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their family members from Saudi Arabia. The order covers personnel at the US mission in the kingdom. No further details were immediately provided on the reason for the drawdown.

TREE NEWS reports: CBOT wheat futures fell 2.29% to $6.2825 a bushel on Wednesday, October 21, during New York trading hours. The Bloomberg Grains Subindex dropped 0.85% to 30.9716, sliding continuously since the Asia-Pacific morning session and touching 30.6129 at 21:52 Beijing time, close to its August 6 low of 30.5878. Corn rose 0.49% to $4.6425 a bushel, while soybeans slipped 0.32% to $12.5925.

TREE NEWS update: The US State Department clarified that it has not ordered the evacuation of all personnel stationed in the Gulf region. The evacuation order applies only to non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia, the department said. The statement followed earlier reports of a broader pullout from the region.

TREE NEWS reports: JPMorgan Asset Management has for the first time included bitcoin in its long-term capital market assumptions, forecasting a 10% annualized return over the next decade that could beat stocks, bonds and gold. The firm assumes 55% annualized volatility for bitcoin, more than three times that of U.S. large-cap stocks, and said it has not yet added bitcoin to its main portfolio models because its correlation with other assets is unstable.

TREE NEWS update: A series of explosions struck central Kyiv on 21 July local time as the Ukrainian capital came under ballistic missile attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The blasts were heard across the city center. No casualty figures or damage assessments were immediately provided.

TREE NEWS reports: The dollar rose 0.10% against the yen to 158.31 in late New York trading on Wednesday, October 21, nearing the intraday high set in early Asia-Pacific hours. The pair traded in a range of 157.84 to 158.39 yen during the session. The euro fell 0.05% to 177.62 yen, sterling gained 0.09% to 211.847 yen, and the yen slipped 0.07% to 4.2167 yuan offshore.

TREE NEWS update: US President Donald Trump said the United States is getting closer to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling it possibly the closest the parties have come to ending the war. Commenting on the release of Hubbard from Russia, Trump said no exchange was made.

TREE NEWS update: CME Group CEO Terry Duffy said geopolitical tensions are having “too great an impact” on U.S. inflation, in comments to Bloomberg Television. The remark links global political and security risks to the inflation outlook at a time when markets are closely watching price pressures. Duffy did not elaborate on specific policy measures or forecasts in the quoted remarks.

TREE NEWS update: A drone strike on a Saudi Aramco oil field killed two people, Saudi state media reported. The attack targeted the state oil company’s field facilities, though the report did not specify the site’s location or production impact. Saudi Aramco has not issued a separate statement on the incident.

TREE NEWS update: Paris police banned gatherings and demonstrations in parts of the city from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Oct. 22, the prefecture announced on Oct. 21. Demonstrations were also banned or curfews extended in several other French cities, including Rouen and Le Havre on Oct. 24, while Nord department extended curfews in Lille, Douai, Denain and Wattignies through Oct. 23, barring unaccompanied minors from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

TREE NEWS reports: The US State Department is preparing to order the evacuation of some embassy staff and their families from the Gulf region, three US officials said. Two officials said the move is driven by the potential resumption of hostilities, particularly the risk of renewed conflict with Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi forces.

TREE NEWS reports: The onshore yuan closed at 6.6760 per dollar at 03:00 Beijing time, up 21 pips from Tuesday’s night-session close. Trading volume totaled $51.228 billion. The move reflects the latest overnight session in the onshore foreign exchange market.

TREE NEWS update: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he held a lengthy phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. The two discussed a wide range of topics, including Iran, Carney said. No further details of the conversation were provided.

TREE NEWS reports: The Hang Seng Index main futures contract closed down 0.22% at 23,602 in overnight trading. The Hang Seng Tech Index futures fell 0.55% to 3,971 in the same session. The moves reflect overnight positioning in Hong Kong equity derivatives ahead of the next cash-market open.

TREE NEWS reports: Dozens of Israeli fighter jets and refueling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq and approached the Iranian border earlier this week before turning back before entering Iranian airspace, Israel’s Channel 12 reported on October 21, citing U.S. officials. Israel notified Washington in advance, describing the operation as a military exercise and show of force aimed at deterring Iran. U.S. sources said Washington suspects the move was intended to provoke Iran, while some officials believe certain Israeli officials sought to lure Iran into firing to provide a pretext for an Israeli strike.

TREE NEWS update: Several explosions were heard in the Sirik area of southern Iran at around 21:00 local time on the 21st. The nature and origin of the blasts are not yet known. No further details were immediately available.

TREE NEWS reports: US-Mexico trade negotiations have stalled over steel and aluminum tariffs, dashing optimism that a deal was near and pushing major progress to possibly after the midterm elections, people familiar said. US officials including Commerce Secretary Lutnick objected to Mexico’s demand for lower metals tariffs. Talks, previously led by US Trade Representative Greer, cooled as Lutnick sought a bigger role; his proposals failed to address Mexican concerns.