Bank of Japan Governor Ueda said the central bank will strive to achieve price stability through appropriate monetary policy, saying this is essential to prevent rising prices from weighing on economic activity and to help safeguard stability in financial and capital markets.

Tencent (00700.HK) is testing an AI agent prototype on WeChat. CITIGROUP says Tongcheng Travel (00780.HK) — with an all-WeChat strategy, comprehensive mini-program capabilities, close Tencent ties and the only OTA presence in WeChat Wallet — would be among the beneficiaries if Tencent deploys the AI agent on WeChat. Tongcheng shares have been pressured by a valuation cut at Trip.com Group (09961.HK) and higher oil prices weighing on domestic travel demand; the stock trades at under 8x 2026 forecast P/E. CITIGROUP maintains Buy, PT HKD25.

ECB governing council member Wunsch said an Iran peace agreement would not change the rationale for ECB rate hikes.