At the mid-session close Hong Kong shares were weaker: the Hang Seng Index fell 2.09% and the Hang Seng TECH Index dropped 3.84%. Internet and large-cap tech names led losses — Alibaba (09988.HK) down near 10%, Baidu (09888.HK) and Xiaomi (01810.HK) down about 4% each, Tencent (00700.HK) down nearly 3%, Meituan (03690.HK) and JD (09618.HK) also lower. Memory semiconductor, optical-communications and PCB-related stocks underperformed; MINIMAX-W (00100.HK) fell over 9% and Zhipu (02513.HK) dropped

Japan power prices rose to a more-than-three-year high as heat-driven demand and Middle East supply disruptions boosted fuel costs. Japan Electric Power Exchange data show the national day-ahead average climbed 20% week-on-week on Monday to JPY25.18 per kWh, the highest level since January 2023. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued nationwide extreme-heat warnings; Tokyo and Kansai are forecast to reach 35°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Nagasaki 37°C on Wednesday. Asian spot LNG prices remain above levels seen before late‑February U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, raising generation costs for Japan’s largest power source.

Hong Kong nonferrous metals sector rose; Ganfeng Lithium (01772.HK) climbed over 7%, Zhaojin Mining (01818.HK) rose over 5%, China Nonferrous Metal Mining (01258.HK) and TTANQT Lithium (09696.HK) advanced more than 3%.