Japan July exports rose 23.2% YoY, above the 19.9% forecast, marking the fifth consecutive month of acceleration and the fastest pace since Oct 2022. Semiconductor equipment exports jumped 49.1% YoY, attributed to AI-driven demand. Imports climbed 27.8% YoY (vs. 26.5% expected), the highest since Nov 2022. The trade deficit stood at ¥634.5bn, below the ¥680.0bn forecast but wider than June’s ¥409.9bn. Petroleum imports surged 87.8% YoY amid higher oil prices linked to the Iran war.

In early trade on Aug 20 several broad-based ETFs extended heavy turnover after large late-session volume the prior day as investors used ETFs to accelerate re-entry. On Aug 19 equity ETFs posted net inflows of over CNY 50.0 bln; broad-based ETFs accounted for nearly CNY 40.0 bln of that. This morning the Sci-Tech Innovation 50 ETF traded CNY 3.65 bln and the ChiNext ETF CNY 3.50 bln; A500, CSI 1000, CSI A500 and CSI 300 ETFs each traded more than CNY 2.0 bln. Market participants say the recent volatility is driven by external shocks and portfolio adjustments rather than a trend change in sector fundamentals. Watch turnover, fund flows and earnings realization for further signals.

India orders inventory limits on bulk sugar consumers, effective Sept 1 through Nov 30.