SENIOR IRANIAN OFFICIAL: THE FATE OF IRAN’S HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM AND THE DURATION OF ITS NUCLEAR RESTRICTIONS REMAIN UNRESOLVED

Contemporary Amperex Technology is likely to demonstrate continued momentum in battery shipments this year, Nomura analysts write in a note. Robust demand for energy storage systems will likely contribute to the company's revenue growth this year, they say. The company's rising market share in the global EV battery shipment due to higher unit battery usage per vehicle should offset weakness in domestic passenger EV demand, they add. The company's unit profitability in the first quarter remained resilient due to its pricing mechanism to partially pass on cost inflation to customers, they add. Nomura maintains a buy rating for the stock and a target price of CNY476.

The Pentagon is sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East as the Trump administration escalates pressure on Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, according to U.S. officials. The deployment includes about 6,000 sailors and Marines aboard the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group and roughly 4,200 troops from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. The forces will reinforce a maritime blockade targeting Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials said the buildup is intended to increase leverage in negotiations but also provides options for further strikes or potential ground operations if diplomacy fails.