A maritime tracking platform showed three oil tankers and one LNG carrier transited the Strait of Hormuz on the 18th; the three Saudi-flagged tankers carried about 6 million barrels of crude. Reuters, citing Iranian state TV, reported vessels still must coordinate passage with the IRGC Navy.

Southbound Stock Connect flows were net sellers of RMB 6.792 billion today. Via Shanghai Stock Connect, Alibaba-W and Tencent were net sold HKD 1.98 billion and HKD 1.10 billion respectively; SMIC posted the largest net buy at HKD 1.557 billion. Via Shenzhen Stock Connect, Alibaba-W and Tencent were net sold HKD 1.886 billion and HKD 871 million respectively; Kingboard Laminates led net buys at HKD 835 million.

US Vice President Vance said sanctions remain effective, except for those on oil.