South Korea's finance minister says the economy and stock market fundamentals remain sound.

China A-share humanoid-robotics sector rose; Bozhong Jinggong up over 8%, Yushu Technology-W up over 5%, with Junsheng Electronics, Guanglian Aviation, NeiMeng Yiji and Yifei Laser also higher.

ECB policymakers are growing impatient with President Lagarde's refusal to clarify her future, saying months of speculation about a possible early departure and her ambiguous responses have increased internal discontent and raised image concerns. Some officials are unsettled by Lagarde's plan to publish a memoir in January and her willingness to promote it while in office; others say monetary policy work can continue unaffected. France's bond-market strains may be a key factor preventing any departure before her term expires in October next year. With market tensions persisting, the ECB is moving toward a third rate hike; Lagarde and colleagues publicly focus on policy tightening and have avoided discussing her tenure.