U.S. EIA heating oil inventories rose 346,000 barrels in the week to Sept. 18, versus a 684,000-barrel increase the prior week.

The Hang Seng Index opened higher then slid back below the 25,000 level, falling more than 200 points intraday to a low of 24,836.16. At the midday close the index was down 0.76% at 24,896.04; the Hang Seng Tech Index fell 0.97% to 4,395.32 after intra-day drops exceeding 1%. Market turnover was HK$98.82 bln. PCB-linked stocks led gains; biotech and mainland property names were active. AI-application, internet tech and optical-communications sectors underperformed. Notable movers: CanSino Biologics (06185.HK) +10.34%, Vanke Enterprises (02202.HK) +4.80%, Shenghong Technology (02476.HK) +2.95%; Alibaba (09988.HK) -2.87%, Tencent (00700.HK) -2.30%, Zhipu AI (02513.HK) -6.87%, Zhongji Xuchuang/InnoLight (03308.HK) -1.89%.

Analysts say a renewed global AI-driven rally and a weaker yen set the stage for catch-up gains in Japanese equities when markets reopen Thursday. Nikkei 225 futures already reflect optimism: the Osaka Exchange December contract trades about 2.5% above last Friday’s cash close. The yen has fallen for a fourth consecutive trading day during the holiday period, refocusing markets on the risk of Japanese government FX intervention. For bond traders the outlook is mixed: uncertainty over the Bank of Japan’s policy path offsets any yield relief from softer oil. Vantage Global Prime analyst Hebe Chen says global AI momentum, mildly improved risk appetite and lower oil provide space for a catch-up rally and ease near-term inflation and rate pressure, while yen weakness may boost exporters short term but intervention risk should keep traders cautious.