International News 22 September 2025
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Chinese Stocks Slip as Investors Await Xi-Trump Talks
Chinese equities ended mixed on Friday (Sept 19, 2025) as investors booked profits ahead of scheduled talks between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.3% to 3,820.09, retreating from a 10-year high and losing 1.3% for the week—its worst weekly performance since April. The CSI300 blue-chip index inched up 0.1% on the day but still posted a 0.4% weekly loss. Banking and insurance sectors were the biggest drags, tumbling 4.2% and 4.4% respectively, while semiconductor shares surged 6.5% amid renewed optimism for China’s AI ambitions. SMIC and Hua Hong each jumped over 10% after Huawei unveiled plans to boost chip development, with regulatory shifts framing Nvidia as a bargaining chip in U.S.-China trade talks. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of a high-level call between Xi and Trump focused on tariffs and the fate of TikTok. Analysts cited profit-taking after a rapid rally but noted confidence in a “slow bull run,” supported by household savings and long-term capital inflows. Morgan Stanley echoed this view, highlighting rising foreign investor interest—the strongest since 2021—during its U.S. marketing tour. Meanwhile, Hong Kong markets fared better, with the Hang Seng gaining 0.6% for its third straight weekly rise and the Hang Seng Tech index soaring 5.1% to a four-year high on strong tech stock momentum.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/bursa-china-loyo-jumat-199-investor-tunggu-panggilan-xitrump
Oil Prices Slide on Supply Glut and Weak Demand Despite Fed Rate Cut
Crude oil prices fell on Friday (Sept 19, 2025) as concerns over ample supply and weakening demand outweighed optimism from the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut of the year. Brent crude for November delivery dropped 76 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at US$66.68 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for October delivery slid 89 cents, or 1.4%, to US$62.68. Both benchmarks, however, still managed a second consecutive weekly gain. Analysts noted that rising global supplies, reduced OPEC production cuts, and muted impacts from sanctions on Russian exports continue to weigh on market sentiment. On the demand side, the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut is seen as insufficient to boost consumption, with analysts arguing a more aggressive move is needed to stimulate oil demand. Refinery maintenance season, weak U.S. labor market data, and a surprise 4 million-barrel build in U.S. distillate stocks further pressured outlooks. Energy agencies, including the EIA, have flagged slowing demand growth, while U.S. housing activity slumped to multi-year lows, reinforcing concerns about broader economic weakness. Overall, market fundamentals remain bearish despite monetary easing, keeping a lid on potential price rallies.
SMBC Boosts Stake in Jefferies to 20% with ¥135 Billion Investment
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC), the banking arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), will increase its stake in U.S. investment bank Jefferies with an additional ¥135 billion (around Rp14 trillion) investment, raising its ownership from 14.5% to 20%. Alongside the deal, SMBC and Jefferies announced plans to launch a joint venture in Japan to consolidate their wholesale equity business. SMBC will also provide Jefferies with a new credit facility worth approximately US$2.5 billion, strengthening their financial and strategic ties. SMFG, Japan’s second-largest banking group, has been working with Jefferies since 2021 on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and leveraged finance. The group first acquired a stake in Jefferies in 2023 and has since steadily expanded its shareholding. The latest move reflects SMFG’s ongoing push to enhance its global investment banking footprint while deepening its collaboration with Jefferies in both domestic and international markets.