US semiconductor stocks rose, with Nvidia (NVDA.O) up over 6%, Arm (ARM.O) up 3.7%, SK Hynix (SKHY.O) up 3.6%, Intel (INTC.O) up 3.5%, and Broadcom (AVGO.O) up 2.5%.

China will further deepen defense ties with East Timor and Indonesia, the Defense Ministry said at a press briefing on Aug. 27. Defense Minister Dong Jun visited East Timor and attended the second China‑Indonesia foreign‑and‑defense ministers’ 2+2 meeting in Indonesia. Dong held talks with East Timor’s president and prime minister; Beijing described bilateral ties with East Timor as at their strongest in history and noted this was Dong’s first visit there. China said it and Indonesia will deepen cooperation on equipment and technology, joint exercises and training, personnel exchanges and maritime security and will institutionalize practical mechanisms — steps the ministry said aim to play a central role in regional stability.

US Dollar 1. Trump: Prices are falling. 2. US media: Vietnam now has the largest trade surplus with the US. 3. As Trump restarts his recall efforts, Federal Reserve Governor Cook again denies any wrongdoing. 4. The revised annualized quarterly rate of US real GDP for the second quarter was 1.5%, consistent with the initial estimate and in line with market expectations. 5. The US July PCE price index rose 3.7% year-on-year, unchanged from the previous month, while the market expected a slight decline to 3.6%. Expectations for a Fed rate hike next month have slightly increased. Euro 1. British media: France has replaced Italy as the focus of European debt risk. 2. Iceland's EU membership referendum is approaching: the difference between support and opposition is only 2.6 percentage points. 3. German consumer confidence unexpectedly rebounded in September, with economic prospects and income expectations rising. 4. German Chancellor Merz: Germany's highest credit rating is not expected to change. South Korean Won 1. The Bank of Korea raised interest rates consecutively and revised its economic growth forecast for this year upward. 2. Bank of Korea Governor: Continuous interest rate hikes are a proactive measure; gradual interest rate hikes are expected; the Korean won still has room for further appreciation. Other: 1. Bank of Thailand maintains interest rates unchanged for the third consecutive time. 2. Central Bank of the Philippines raises interest rates by 25 basis points for the third consecutive time. 3. Reserve Bank of India reportedly changes strategy, increasing intervention to support the rupee. 4. US-Canada trade dispute escalates; Canadian Prime Minister Carney will seek EU support at the European Parliament next month. 5. Central Bank of Mexico forecasts 1.5% GDP growth in 2026, higher than the 1.1% reported last quarter; forecasts 2.0% GDP growth in 2027, lower than the previously reported 2.1%. 6. Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino: Interest rate hikes should be timely to avoid a sharp rise in inflation; no specific distortions have been seen in the Japanese government bond market. Therefore, the Bank of Japan can continue its current tapering program.