Margin financing balances on China’s two stock exchanges rose 5.202 bln yuan to 2.627119 trillion yuan as of Aug. 31. Shanghai’s balance stood at 1.347524 trillion yuan, up 4.58 bln; Shenzhen’s was 1.279595 trillion yuan, up 0.622 bln.

Total turnover on the Shanghai-Shenzhen markets on Aug 31 was 2.13 trillion yuan, rebounding from the four-plus-month low hit on Aug 26 but remaining below the 20-day moving average for the eighth straight day (20-day MA: 2.25 trillion yuan). The 20-day MA has been a reference level through August; turnover below it typically signals cooling market activity, while above it denotes rising activity.

The total trading volume of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges on August 31 was 2.13 trillion yuan, rebounding from a more than four-month low hit on August 26, but remaining below the 20-day moving average (2.25 trillion yuan, which has fluctuated around this moving average since August) for the eighth consecutive day. -------- Note: Trading volume reflects the views of major institutions, speculative funds, and retail investors on A-shares. Volume above the moving average indicates increased total trading volume and a more optimistic market sentiment, while volume below the moving average indicates decreased total trading volume and a cooling market sentiment.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Aug 31 it killed Omar Saraj, the Hamas logistics and supply commander for Gaza City, during an operation in the Sabra area of Gaza City. The IDF said Saraj was responsible for providing weapons to Hamas fighters in Gaza City and that the raid aimed to eliminate that threat. The military added Hamas has recently pushed attacks on Israeli forces and civilians and has systematically violated the ceasefire agreement.

Asian Stocks 1. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 34.12 points, or 0.86%, at 3986.3 points on Monday, August 31. 2. The Shenzhen Component Index closed up 61.93 points, or 0.44%, at 14015 points on Monday, August 31. 3. The CSI 300 Index closed up 15.91 points, or 0.35%, at 4625.09 points on Monday, August 31. 4. The ChiNext Index closed up 14.28 points, or 0.42%, at 3438.68 points on Monday, August 31. 5. The STAR Market 50 Index closed up 22.24 points, or 1.34%, at 1684.39 points on Monday, August 31. 6. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Index closed down 17.8 points, or 0.07%, at 25,566.99 on Monday, August 31. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Tech Index closed up 14.72 points, or 0.32%, at 4,619.87 on Monday, August 31. European Stocks 1. Germany's DAX 30 index opened down 119.74 points, or 0.45%, at 26,463.61 on Monday, August 31. 2. France's CAC 40 index opened up 9.71 points, or 0.12%, at 8,410.89 on Monday, August 31. 3. Spain's IBEX 35 index opened down 9.75 points, or 0.05%, at 20,052.35 on Monday, August 31. 4. Italy's FTSE MIB index opened up 8.88 points, or 0.02%, at 52,625.00 on Monday, August 31. 5. Europe Stoxx 50 index opened down 8.72 points, or 0.13%, at 6,476.95 on Monday, August 31. US Stocks 1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 373.85 points, or 0.70%, at 53,186.14 on Monday, August 31. 2. The S&P 500 closed down 25.42 points, or 0.33%, at 7,686.34 on Monday, August 31. 3. The Nasdaq Composite closed down 31.53 points, or 0.12%, at 26,370.89 on Monday, August 31.

1. According to data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, as of August 31, 2026, the Shanghai Export Containerized Freight Index (Europe route) was 3047.62 points, a decrease of 5.9% compared to the previous period. 2. The Shanghai Futures Exchange announced that hot-rolled coil options and stainless steel options will be listed for trading from 9:00 AM on September 10, 2026. The Shanghai International Energy Exchange announced that low-sulfur fuel oil options will be listed for trading from 9:00 AM on September 10, 2026. 3. Major steel mills in East and North China accepted a price increase of 100-110 yuan/ton for coking coal, marking the full implementation of the third round of coking coal price increases, with a cumulative increase of 250-275 yuan/ton to date. 4. Western Gold announced that the Baiyuanfeng Ortokanes manganese mine and the Mengxin Tianba mine officially resumed production on August 28, 2026. 5. According to statistics and monitoring data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the slaughter volume of designated pig slaughterhouses in July 2026 was 36.1 million heads, a decrease of 5.5% month-on-month and an increase of 14.0% year-on-year. 6. A regulation from the Indonesian Ministry of Trade on Monday showed that Indonesia has raised the reference price for crude palm oil in September to $1007.51 per ton from $996.52 in August. 7. Crop progress reports show that as of the week ending August 30, the US soybean condition was rated 58% good/excellent, compared to market expectations of 59%; the US corn condition was rated 57% good/excellent, compared to market expectations of 56%; and the US spring wheat harvest was 77% complete, compared to market expectations of 75%. 8. Data from Longzhong Information shows that as of August 31, 2026, the total inventory of soda ash produced by domestic manufacturers was 1.9084 million tons, an increase of 35,700 tons from the previous Thursday, a rise of 1.91%. 9. The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) stated that global natural rubber production is projected to reach 15.279 million tons in 2026, a 2.1% increase from 14.971 million tons in 2025. 10. The Chilean labor union of Albemarle held a strike vote on collective bargaining. Under current procedures, if neither labor nor management requests compulsory mediation, the strike could begin as early as 8:00 AM on September 2nd. 11. According to SMM, August's polysilicon monthly production is expected to increase by approximately 1.2 million tons month-on-month, with the operating rate potentially rising to around 41.6%. 12. Chile's National Institute of Statistics and Geology (INSEE) stated on Monday that Chile's copper production in July fell to 403,424 tons from 445,322 tons in the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of 9.4%, due to severe storms hitting mining operations.