The IMF forecasts Asia will slow to 4.8% growth in 2026 and 4.4% in 2027, below 2025’s 5.0%, and warned that an energy shock from the Iran war, a potential correction in the AI boom and spillovers from rising global bond yields amplify downside risks. The Fund said US monetary policy uncertainty could keep Asian financial markets volatile and noted exchange-rate and capital-flow volatility have risen since the energy shock, with some emerging markets under local-currency depreciation pressure. T

South Korea August L money supply MoM 0.2% vs -0.50% prior.

Short-term power-price volatility in Europe is approaching 2022 energy-crisis levels, creating heightened profit opportunities for battery storage operators. Energy-market disruptions linked to the Iran war have pushed natural gas to near four-year highs; when gas-fired plants are dispatched, electricity prices spike. Simultaneously, rapid expansion of wind and solar is producing deeper intraday price troughs, widening daily high-low spreads. About $40 bln of investment in European battery storage since the last crisis has materially expanded capacity, positioning the fleet to arbitrage these spreads this winter — a test of whether storage can cap spikes and reduce consumer bills. Drax commercial chief Paul Sheffield said colder weather and unpredictable wind have intensified intraday volatility, improving market conditions for battery storage.