Market Update
Japan's Indexes Extended Losses Amid Broad Sell-Off Driven by Resurgent Inflation Worries
Akira Ito
13 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Tokyo declined on Friday as tensions in the Middle East escalated amid hardening positions by the leaders of Iran and the U.S.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.3%, the broader Topix declined 0.7%, and the yen weakened to a multi-month low of 159.75 against the U.S. dollar.
About 80% of oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz arrive at ports in Asia, and a prolonged disturbance in the shipments is likely to drive food and fuel prices higher in the region.
Retail petrol prices in South Korea, Japan, and India have already surged between 30% and 50% over the last three weeks, driven by the worries that shipments from the Middle East producers may be curtailed for weeks, if not months.
In addition, a weaker yen is likely to amplify imported inflation as oil prices rise, potentially nudging the central bank to normalize interest rates at an accelerated pace.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.3% to HK$53,753.12, and the broader Topix Index fell 0.7% to 3,625.91.
For the week, two benchmark indexes advanced more than 3%, despite the elevated tensions in the Middle East and worries of a resurgent inflation.
Technology and consumer stocks led the downturn on Friday.
Kioxia Holdings decreased 0.9%, Advantest Corp. fell 3.4%, Tokyo Electron declined 3.6%, and SoftBank Group eased 4.5%.
Fast Retailing decreased 0.5%, Seven and I Holdings rose 0.6%, and Eneos Holdings advanced 0.5%.
Marubeni Corp. advanced 4%, Itochu Corp. gained an additional 0.6%, and Mitsubishi Corp. increased 1.8%.
Japan's Indexes Extended Losses Amid Broad Sell-Off Driven by Resurgent Inflation Worries
Akira Ito
13 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Stocks in Tokyo declined on Friday as tensions in the Middle East escalated amid hardening positions by the leaders of Iran and the U.S.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.3%, the broader Topix declined 0.7%, and the yen weakened to a multi-month low of 159.75 against the U.S. dollar.
About 80% of oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz arrive at ports in Asia, and a prolonged disturbance in the shipments is likely to drive food and fuel prices higher in the region.
Retail petrol prices in South Korea, Japan, and India have already surged between 30% and 50% over the last three weeks, driven by the worries that shipments from the Middle East producers may be curtailed for weeks, if not months.
In addition, a weaker yen is likely to amplify imported inflation as oil prices rise, potentially nudging the central bank to normalize interest rates at an accelerated pace.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 1.3% to HK$53,753.12, and the broader Topix Index fell 0.7% to 3,625.91.
For the week, two benchmark indexes advanced more than 3%, despite the elevated tensions in the Middle East and worries of a resurgent inflation.
Technology and consumer stocks led the downturn on Friday.
Kioxia Holdings decreased 0.9%, Advantest Corp. fell 3.4%, Tokyo Electron declined 3.6%, and SoftBank Group eased 4.5%.
Fast Retailing decreased 0.5%, Seven and I Holdings rose 0.6%, and Eneos Holdings advanced 0.5%.
Marubeni Corp. advanced 4%, Itochu Corp. gained an additional 0.6%, and Mitsubishi Corp. increased 1.8%.
China's Indexes Trimmed Weekly Gains, Crude Oil Prices Hovered Near Multi-Year Highs
Li Chen
13 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong declined as Middle East tensions show no signs of easing.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.02% amid resurgent crude oil prices.
The Middle East tensions remained elevated as the U.S. and Iran hardened their positions amid mounting destruction and loss of lives.
Israel, despite its hawkish rhetoric and military superiority over Iran, has been successfully hit by Iran's missiles and drones. Moreover, U.S. military bases have suffered severe damage in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Doha.
Advanced weapons are not likely to determine the outcome of the latest phase of war on Iran, as Israel ramped up its attacks on Lebanon and several cities in Iran, including Tehran.
The Brent crude price soared above $100 a barrel after the recently appointed Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khemenei, declared his intentions to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.
The U.S. president, reversing his earlier position, announced his plans to continue the war and prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program.
Israel is widely estimated to have at least 200 nuclear-powered weapons, capable of wiping out all nations in the Middle East and Europe.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5% to 25,593.25, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged down 0.02% to 4,686.51.
Ocean freight companies led the most actively traded stocks following elevated tensions in the Middle East.
Orient Overseas International decreased 5.1% to HK $146.30, COSCO Shipping Holdings dropped 2.8% to HK $15.48, and China Merchants Port Holdings declined 0.1% to HK $16.88.
ZTO Express increased 2.9% to HK $189.70, and JD.com gained 1.1% to HK $110.80.
MTR Corp. declined 6% to HK$32.54 after the Mass Transit Railway system operator reported a 7% decline in net income in 2025.
Cathay Pacific dropped 3.3% to HK $12.55 after the airline announced its 2025 net income advanced 9.5% to HK $10.82 billion.
The increase in profit was driven by a higher passenger capacity and a surge in demand for its cargo services.
The conglomerate Swire Pacific lowered its stake in the company to raise working capital.
The group, in a regulatory filing on Friday, confirmed it sold 153.05 million shares at HK $11.74 each on the previous trading day, offering a 9.6% discount to Thursday's closing price of HK $12.99.
China's Indexes Trimmed Weekly Gains, Crude Oil Prices Hovered Near Multi-Year Highs
Li Chen
13 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong declined as Middle East tensions show no signs of easing.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.02% amid resurgent crude oil prices.
The Middle East tensions remained elevated as the U.S. and Iran hardened their positions amid mounting destruction and loss of lives.
Israel, despite its hawkish rhetoric and military superiority over Iran, has been successfully hit by Iran's missiles and drones. Moreover, U.S. military bases have suffered severe damage in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Doha.
Advanced weapons are not likely to determine the outcome of the latest phase of war on Iran, as Israel ramped up its attacks on Lebanon and several cities in Iran, including Tehran.
The Brent crude price soared above $100 a barrel after the recently appointed Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khemenei, declared his intentions to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for the foreseeable future.
The U.S. president, reversing his earlier position, announced his plans to continue the war and prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program.
Israel is widely estimated to have at least 200 nuclear-powered weapons, capable of wiping out all nations in the Middle East and Europe.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.5% to 25,593.25, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged down 0.02% to 4,686.51.
Ocean freight companies led the most actively traded stocks following elevated tensions in the Middle East.
Orient Overseas International decreased 5.1% to HK $146.30, COSCO Shipping Holdings dropped 2.8% to HK $15.48, and China Merchants Port Holdings declined 0.1% to HK $16.88.
ZTO Express increased 2.9% to HK $189.70, and JD.com gained 1.1% to HK $110.80.
MTR Corp. declined 6% to HK$32.54 after the Mass Transit Railway system operator reported a 7% decline in net income in 2025.
Crude Oil Prices Soared Amid Prolonged Strait of Hormuz Shipment Disruption Worries
Barry Adams
12 Mar, 2026
New York City
Crude oil prices soared amid worries of a prolonged oil supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, which is likely to remain suspended for a while.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.4% as investors reviewed the fast-changing situation in the Middle East.
The futures for immediate-month delivery of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil jumped 4.5% to $91.59, and Brent crude advanced 6% to $95.78.
Brent crude prices surged as much as $100 a barrel before settling down near the $96 level despite the International Energy Agency announcing a historic release of emergency crude oil reserves.
The Trump administration said it will lead the coordinated release with 172 million barrels, but they will be available in the market after three months.
Stock and crude oil markets overlooked the IEA announcement as Iraq said it would close its ports after two of its ships were struck.
Tensions remained high, and the U.S. and Israel war showed no sign of receding, despite claims by the U.S. president.
U.S. Movers
Dick's Sporting Goods jumped 4.3% to $203.93 after the specialty retailer reported better-than-expected financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Revenue in the quarter rose 59.9% to $6.2 billion from $3.9 billion, net income fell to $127 million from $300 million, and diluted earnings per share decreased to $3.45 from $3.62 a year ago.
The retailer estimated full-year fiscal 2026 consolidated earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $13.70 to $14.70 and adjusted consolidated earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $13.50 to $14.50.
The increase in comparable sales in the quarter slowed to 3.1% from 6.6% in the period a year ago, prior to the purchase of Foot Locker.
Bumble Inc. soared 22.9% to $3.46 after the dating app operator reported strong adjusted earnings and revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Altassin Corp. increased 1.1% to $76.24 after the company announced it would eliminate 10%, or about 1,550, of its staff following a companywide restructuring.
The company's stock has dropped about 85% from its peak in October 2021 amid worries that generative AI tools could disrupt its business model.
Crude Oil Prices Soared Amid Prolonged Strait of Hormuz Shipment Disruption Worries
Barry Adams
12 Mar, 2026
New York City
Crude oil prices soared amid worries of a prolonged oil supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, which is likely to remain suspended for a while.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.4% as investors reviewed the fast-changing situation in the Middle East.
The futures for immediate-month delivery of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil jumped 4.5% to $91.59, and Brent crude advanced 6% to $95.78.
Brent crude prices surged as much as $100 a barrel before settling down near the $96 level despite the International Energy Agency announcing a historic release of emergency crude oil reserves.
The Trump administration said it will lead the coordinated release with 172 million barrels, but they will be available in the market after three months.
Stock and crude oil markets overlooked the IEA announcement as Iraq said it would close its ports after two of its ships were struck.
Tensions remained high, and the U.S. and Israel war showed no sign of receding, despite claims by the U.S. president.
U.S. Movers
Dick's Sporting Goods jumped 4.3% to $203.93 after the specialty retailer reported better-than-expected financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Revenue in the quarter rose 59.9% to $6.2 billion from $3.9 billion, net income fell to $127 million from $300 million, and diluted earnings per share decreased to $3.45 from $3.62 a year ago.
The retailer estimated full-year fiscal 2026 consolidated earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $13.70 to $14.70 and adjusted consolidated earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $13.50 to $14.50.
The increase in comparable sales in the quarter slowed to 3.1% from 6.6% in the period a year ago, prior to the purchase of Foot Locker.
Bumble Inc. soared 22.9% to $3.46 after the dating app operator reported strong adjusted earnings and revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Altassin Corp. increased 1.1% to $76.24 after the company announced it would eliminate 10%, or about 1,550, of its staff following a companywide restructuring.
The company's stock has dropped about 85% from its peak in October 2021 amid worries that generative AI tools could disrupt its business model.
China Markets Lose Momentum After Crude Oil Prices Reversed Course and Approached $100
Li Chen
12 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong declined as the Middle East conflict showed no sign of easing.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2%, and the CSI 300 Index dropped 1% amid resurgent uncertainty related to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil transportation.
The U.S. and Israel carried out multiple strikes in Iran, hoping that the continued attacks will weaken the Iranian government's resolve to fight and facilitate the reopening of the key artery of oil shipments.
In retaliation, Iran stepped up attacks targeting cargo airports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Brent crude oil prices soared 7% to $98.35 a barrel as missile strikes continued unabated in the Middle East.
Despite Israel's media blanket, local contacts in Haifa and Jerusalem are confirming Iran's missiles and drones are successfully passing through the so-called Iron Dome and wreaking havoc on local infrastructure.
The International Energy Agency, a 32-member group of wealthy nations, is planning to release as much as 400 million barrels of crude oil, hoping to dent prices.
However, the IEA's news was overshadowed by Iraq's closure of oil ports after two tankers were successfully attacked.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 25,579.52, and the CSI 300 Index declined 1% to 4,659.06.
CNOOC Ltd. increased 4.2% to HK $29.24, PetroChina gained 2.2% to HK $10.73, and China Petroleum and Chemical decreased 1.1% to HK $4.98.
Li Ning Co. Ltd. decreased 4.6% to HK $19.07, Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd. declined 5.4% to HK $42.82, and JD Logistics advanced 2.7% to HK $14.00.
China Markets Lose Momentum After Crude Oil Prices Rebounded Towards $100
Li Chen
12 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong declined as the Middle East conflict showed no sign of easing.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2%, and the CSI 300 Index dropped 1% amid resurgent uncertainty related to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil transportation.
The U.S. and Israel carried out multiple strikes in Iran, hoping that the continued attacks will weaken the Iranian government's resolve to fight and facilitate the reopening of the key artery of oil shipments.
In retaliation, Iran stepped up attacks targeting cargo airports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Brent crude oil prices soared 7% to $98.35 a barrel as missile strikes continued unabated in the Middle East.
Despite Israel's media blanket, local contacts in Haifa and Jerusalem are confirming Iran's missiles and drones are successfully passing through the so-called Iron Dome and wreaking havoc on local infrastructure.
The International Energy Agency, a 32-member group of wealthy nations, is planning to release as much as 400 million barrels of crude oil, hoping to dent prices.
However, the IEA's news was overshadowed by Iraq's closure of oil ports after two tankers were successfully attacked.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 25,579.52, and the CSI 300 Index declined 1% to 4,659.06.
CNOOC Ltd. increased 4.2% to HK $29.24, PetroChina gained 2.2% to HK $10.73, and China Petroleum and Chemical decreased 1.1% to HK $4.98.
Li Ning Co. Ltd. decreased 4.6% to HK $19.07, Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd. declined 5.4% to HK $42.82, and JD Logistics advanced 2.7% to HK $14.00.
U.S. Movers: AeroVironment, Oracle Corp.
Scott Peters
11 Mar, 2026
New York City
AeroVironment, Inc. dropped 11% to $198.20 after the company reported its financial results.
Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in January soared to $408 million from $167.6 million; net loss expanded to $156.6 million from $1.8 million; and diluted loss per share jumped to $3.15 from 6 cents a year ago.
The drone maker booked $2.1 billion of new orders in the quarter, increasing its funded backlog to $1.1 billion and driving its book-to-bill ratio to 1.6 for the first nine months of the fiscal year.
The current quarter was negatively impacted by goodwill impairment charges of $151.3 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, and $43.9 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, of intangible amortization and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses as compared to $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company noted in an announcement to investors.
Oracle Corp. jumped 9.5% to $163.69, and the cloud infrastructure company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.
Total revenue in the quarter ending in February increased 22% to $17.2 billion, net income advanced to $3.7 billion from $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.27 from $1.02 a year ago.
Cloud segment revenue rose 44% to $8.9 billion, and cloud infrastructure revenue soared 84% to $4.9 billion from a year ago, respectively.
"Remaining Performance Obligations, or RPO, ended the quarter at $553 billion, up 325% from last year and up $29 billion from last quarter.
Most of the increase in RPO in Q3 related to large-scale AI contracts where Oracle does not expect to have to raise any incremental funds to support these contracts, as most of the equipment needed is either funded upfront via customer prepayments so Oracle can purchase the GPUs or the customer buys the GPUs and supplies them to Oracle," the company noted in a statement released to investors.
The company estimated fiscal fourth quarter revenue to rise between 18% and 20% and fiscal 2026 revenue of $67 billion and capital expenditures of $50 billion, unchanged from the previous guidance.
U.S. Movers: AeroVironment, Oracle Corp.
Scott Peters
11 Mar, 2026
New York City
AeroVironment, Inc. dropped 11% to $198.20 after the company reported its financial results.
Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in January soared to $408 million from $167.6 million; net loss expanded to $156.6 million from $1.8 million; and diluted loss per share jumped to $3.15 from 6 cents a year ago.
The drone maker booked $2.1 billion of new orders in the quarter, increasing its funded backlog to $1.1 billion and driving its book-to-bill ratio to 1.6 for the first nine months of the fiscal year.
The current quarter was negatively impacted by goodwill impairment charges of $151.3 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, and $43.9 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, of intangible amortization and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses as compared to $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company noted in an announcement to investors.
Oracle Corp. jumped 9.5% to $163.69, and the cloud infrastructure company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.
Total revenue in the quarter ending in February increased 22% to $17.2 billion, net income advanced to $3.7 billion from $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.27 from $1.02 a year ago.
Cloud segment revenue rose 44% to $8.9 billion, and cloud infrastructure revenue soared 84% to $4.9 billion from a year ago, respectively.
"Remaining Performance Obligations, or RPO, ended the quarter at $553 billion, up 325% from last year and up $29 billion from last quarter.
Most of the increase in RPO in Q3 related to large-scale AI contracts where Oracle does not expect to have to raise any incremental funds to support these contracts, as most of the equipment needed is either funded upfront via customer prepayments so Oracle can purchase the GPUs or the customer buys the GPUs and supplies them to Oracle," the company noted in a statement released to investors.
The company estimated fiscal fourth quarter revenue to rise between 18% and 20% and fiscal 2026 revenue of $67 billion and capital expenditures of $50 billion, unchanged from the previous guidance.
U.S. and World Stocks Meandered as Crude Oil Prices Retained Upward Bias
Barry Adams
11 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked direction as investors reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East.
The S&P 500 Index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite bounced around the flatline, and the joint U.S. and Israeli war on Iran showed no signs of abating.
The White House claimed that the U.S. destroyed several Iranian ships, including 16 minelayers, in the Strait of Hormuz and added that the energy products will soon begin transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
The International Energy Agency, a consortium of nations in North America and Europe, is looking to release crude oil from its reserves, which could dampen crude oil prices.
The agency's potential historic release of reserves may temporarily lower crude oil prices by $5 a barrel, but in the near term prices are likely to stay above $90 a barrel as Iran continues to successfully target the oil infrastructure of neighboring nations.
Crude oil prices in New York advanced 2.5% to $85.60 a barrel, confirming uncertainty surrounding the resumption of energy product shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts are estimating crude oil prices to surpass $100 a barrel in New York if the conflict extends to the third week.
On the economic front, the annual consumer price inflation in February advanced 2.4%, matching the increase in January and remaining at its lowest level since May 2025.
Meanwhile core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stayed unchanged at 2.5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
U.S. Movers
AeroVironment, Inc. dropped 11% to $198.20 after the company reported its financial results.
Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in January soared to $408 million from $167.6 million; net loss expanded to $156.6 million from $1.8 million; and diluted loss per share jumped to $3.15 from 6 cents a year ago.
The drone maker booked $2.1 billion of new orders in the quarter, increasing its funded backlog to $1.1 billion and driving its book-to-bill ratio to 1.6 for the first nine months of the fiscal year.
The current quarter was negatively impacted by goodwill impairment charges of $151.3 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, and $43.9 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, of intangible amortization and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses as compared to $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company noted in an announcement to investors.
Oracle Corp. jumped 9.5% to $163.69, and the cloud infrastructure company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.
Total revenue in the quarter ending in February increased 22% to $17.2 billion, net income advanced to $3.7 billion from $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.27 from $1.02 a year ago.
Cloud segment revenue rose 44% to $8.9 billion, and cloud infrastructure revenue soared 84% to $4.9 billion from a year ago, respectively.
"Remaining Performance Obligations, or RPO, ended the quarter at $553 billion, up 325% from last year and up $29 billion from last quarter.
Most of the increase in RPO in Q3 related to large-scale AI contracts where Oracle does not expect to have to raise any incremental funds to support these contracts, as most of the equipment needed is either funded upfront via customer prepayments so Oracle can purchase the GPUs or the customer buys the GPUs and supplies them to Oracle," the company noted in a statement released to investors.
The company estimated fiscal fourth quarter revenue to rise between 18% and 20% and fiscal 2026 revenue of $67 billion and capital expenditures of $50 billion, unchanged from the previous guidance.
U.S. and World Stocks Meandered as Crude Oil Prices Retained Upward Bias
Barry Adams
11 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked direction as investors reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East.
The S&P 500 Index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite bounced around the flatline, and the joint U.S. and Israeli war on Iran showed no signs of abating.
The White House claimed that the U.S. destroyed several Iranian ships, including 16 minelayers, in the Strait of Hormuz and added that the energy products will soon begin transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
The International Energy Agency, a consortium of nations in North America and Europe, is looking to release crude oil from its reserves, which could dampen crude oil prices.
The agency's potential historic release of reserves may temporarily lower crude oil prices by $5 a barrel, but in the near term prices are likely to stay above $90 a barrel as Iran continues to successfully target the oil infrastructure of neighboring nations.
Crude oil prices in New York advanced 2.5% to $85.60 a barrel, confirming uncertainty surrounding the resumption of energy product shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts are estimating crude oil prices to surpass $100 a barrel in New York if the conflict extends to the third week.
On the economic front, the annual consumer price inflation in February likely advanced 2.4%, matching the increase in January and remaining at its lowest level since May 2025.
Meanwhile core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is likely to stay unchanged at 2.5%.
U.S. Movers
AeroVironment, Inc. dropped 11% to $198.20 after the company reported its financial results.
Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in January soared to $408 million from $167.6 million; net loss expanded to $156.6 million from $1.8 million; and diluted loss per share jumped to $3.15 from 6 cents a year ago.
The drone maker booked $2.1 billion of new orders in the quarter, increasing its funded backlog to $1.1 billion and driving its book-to-bill ratio to 1.6 for the first nine months of the fiscal year.
The current quarter was negatively impacted by goodwill impairment charges of $151.3 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, and $43.9 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, of intangible amortization and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses as compared to $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company noted in an announcement to investors.
Oracle Corp. jumped 9.5% to $163.69, and the cloud infrastructure company reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.
Total revenue in the quarter ending in February increased 22% to $17.2 billion, net income advanced to $3.7 billion from $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.27 from $1.02 a year ago.
Cloud segment revenue rose 44% to $8.9 billion, and cloud infrastructure revenue soared 84% to $4.9 billion from a year ago, respectively.
"Remaining Performance Obligations, or RPO, ended the quarter at $553 billion, up 325% from last year and up $29 billion from last quarter.
Most of the increase in RPO in Q3 related to large-scale AI contracts where Oracle does not expect to have to raise any incremental funds to support these contracts, as most of the equipment needed is either funded upfront via customer prepayments so Oracle can purchase the GPUs or the customer buys the GPUs and supplies them to Oracle," the company noted in a statement released to investors.
The company estimated fiscal fourth quarter revenue to rise between 18% and 20% and fiscal 2026 revenue of $67 billion and capital expenditures of $50 billion, unchanged from the previous guidance.
China Indexes Lacked Direction Amid Ongoing Middle East Uncertainties
Li Chen
11 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China attempted to rebound amid receding fears of global crude oil supply disruptions.
The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index inched higher 0.5%.
Market sentiment recovered but remained fragile as investors hoped that the U.S. would provide safe passage to crude oil and natural gas products through the Strait of Hormuz in the immediate future.
Brent crude oil prices hovered at $87.46 a barrel, despite the IEA proposing the largest release of coordinated oil reserves in their history.
Across Asia, benchmark indexes rebounded in Japan and South Korea amid recovering sentiment and a potential resumption of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index added 0.1% to 25,981.77, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.5% to 4,698.45.
Contemporary Amperex Technology jumped 6.8% to HK $587.50 after the company reported a 42% rise in annual profit in 2025.
China Indexes Lacked Direction Amid Ongoing Middle East Uncertainties
Li Chen
11 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China attempted to rebound amid receding fears of global crude oil supply disruptions.
The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index inched higher 0.5%.
Market sentiment recovered but remained fragile as investors hoped that the U.S. would provide safe passage to crude oil and natural gas products through the Strait of Hormuz in the immediate future.
Brent crude oil prices hovered at $87.46 a barrel, despite the IEA proposing the largest release of coordinated oil reserves in their history.
Across Asia, benchmark indexes rebounded in Japan and South Korea amid recovering sentiment and a potential resumption of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index added 0.1% to 25,981.77, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.5% to 4,698.45.
Contemporary Amperex Technology jumped 6.8% to HK $587.50 after the company reported a 42% rise in annual profit in 2025.
U.S. Stocks Attempted to Rebound, Volatile Crude Oil Plunged 10%
Barry Adams
10 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stocks traded sideways as investors looked to news from Iran after a wild session in the oil market.
The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% on speculation that the flow of oil and gas is likely to resume through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. president signaled that the U.S. may end its missile strikes at targets in Iran, claiming that the U.S. objectives in Iran were "pretty well achieved."
The sharp jump in crude oil prices and extreme pressure from allies in the Middle East and Europe appear to have forced Donald Trump to back down from continuing the latest military strikes in Iran.
Despite Trump's claims, investors remained skeptical about the intentions of the U.S. and Israel.
Trump's claims of "achieving goals" were quickly countered by top leaders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating that Iran will decide when to "end the war."
For now, crude oil prices dropped 11.2% to $83.70 a barrel, and gold prices advanced 1.3% to $5206.74 an ounce.
U.S. Movers
Vail Resorts declined 2.1% to $131.11 after the company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results.
The company also lowered its outlook and blamed it on "persistent, historically challenging weather conditions in the Rockies."