SINGAPORE PM WONG said energy is key to Singapore's economic competitiveness.

Chinese equities recovered from an early dip; at midday the Shanghai Composite was up 0.50%, the Shenzhen Composite Index +0.61% and the ChiNext Index -0.13%. Precious metals led gains, with multiple stocks hitting daily limit-up. CPO-concept and AI-chip names rallied—one AI-chip stock gained over 19% and another hit the limit-up. Oil and petrochemicals rebounded, including a petroleum name at limit-up and a petrochemical stock up more than 7%. Other outperformers included small metals, memory chips, IPv6, advanced packaging, liquid cooling and telecom equipment. Lagging sectors included cinema chains, gaming, apparel and home textiles, kitchen appliances, reducers and securities. Combined Shanghai and Shenzhen turnover was about 1.78 tln yuan in the half-day, down roughly 222 bn yuan versus the same period yesterday; roughly 1,900 stocks advanced and 3,400 declined.

US wheat jumped 4.00% intraday to 705.25 cents/bushel.