BofA, citing EPFR data, said emerging-market equities drew $17.7bn of inflows in the week to Wednesday, the biggest weekly inflow since July; Brazil saw a record $4.7bn inflow.

CENTCOM rejected three IRGC claims made in the past 24 hours that it had seized control of the Strait of Hormuz, that a merchant vessel had been mined, and that US forces suffered mass casualties. CENTCOM said US and regional partners retain control of the strait and commercial traffic continues; the main channel is not blocked by sea mines and more than 40 vessels transited in the past 24 hours. On the IRGC assertion that a Singapore‑flagged container ship struck a mine, CENTCOM said the GFS Pride was struck by IRGC gunfire, sank while being towed to shore, and was not mined. CENTCOM also denied IRGC claims that hundreds of US personnel were killed in Jordan, saying three US service members were killed in July while partner forces repelled an Iranian attack.

Hong Kong stocks opened higher: Hang Seng Index up 1.08% and Hang Seng Tech Index up 1.59%. Biopharma, optical communications and PCB names led gains. Alibaba (09988.HK) rose more than 2%.