Market Flash

Last week’s strong rainfall has revived rice cultivation prospects in Nepal’s key grain belts, Madesh and Koshi, after weeks of pre-monsoon drought threatened this year’s crop.

In the first seven months of this year, Cambodia’s main agricultural exports totaled $2.42 billion, up 7.5% from $2.26 billion a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

On August 15, Lianhong NewTech announced its 2025 interim results, reporting revenue of 2.911 billion yuan—a 12.13% year-on-year decline—while net profit attributable to shareholders soared 14.15% to 161 million yuan.

Jieyang KMT Gas has announced a major comprehensive tail gas recycling project in Guangdong’s Danao Petrochemical Industrial Zone, with a total investment of 1.59 billion yuan and an environmental budget of 40 million yuan.

On August 15, CN New Energy and BTR (Shanshan Technology) sealed a strategic partnership at CN’s global headquarters, with an anode materials procurement agreement exceeding 10 billion yuan in total value.

Adnoc L&S, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has announced a bold $3 billion increase in capital expenditure, aimed at boosting capacity through 2029—exclusive of its previously disclosed projects.

Shanghai Huayi Group has announced plans to publicly transfer its 25% stake in Edoco China Limited on the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange, with a listing price of 320.13 million yuan.

A new study led by Dr. Mohammad Naraghi of Texas A&M University, in collaboration with Dr. Andreas Polycarpou from the University of Tulsa, has revealed the remarkable capabilities of an advanced carbon fiber plastic known as aromatic thermosetting copoly

Starting August 7, Ecuador’s white shrimp exports to the United States are subject to a 15% tariff, significantly lower than India’s 50% or Vietnam’s 20%, but still a heavy blow for the industry.

Cambodia’s fresh durian can now be air-shipped directly to China, a development hailed by local growers as a major breakthrough for quality and market reach.

On July 28, the Dubai government announced a groundbreaking partnership with BioD Technology FZCO, a subsidiary of Dubai Aluminium Holding, to accelerate the city’s transition to a circular economy and environmental sustainability.

On July 28, South Korean and Japanese industry insiders revealed that both nations are ramping up joint efforts to safeguard oil supplies as Middle East tensions threaten Asia’s crude imports.

On July 28, Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced a Q2 2025 net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, reversing a $74.2 million profit from the same period last year.

Covestro’s Q2 2025 results reveal a sharp setback as global headwinds—including sudden US tariff hikes and persistent oversupply—dragged group sales down 8.4% to €3.4 billion and EBITDA down 15.6% to €270 million.

PPG announced Q2 2025 results showing net sales of $4.2 billion, a 1% decrease year-on-year due to business divestitures, while net profit dropped 9% to $450 million.

On August 1, Shenma Co. (600810.SH) announced a plan to acquire a 10.27% stake in Nylon Chemical from Jinshi Fund for 952 million yuan in cash, raising its ownership in the key subsidiary from 61.79% to 72.06%.

On July 31, Sinopec (600028) issued a profit alert, forecasting first-half 2025 net profit attributable to shareholders at 20.1–21.6 billion yuan—a sharp year-on-year drop of 39.5% to 43.7%.

On July 31, Huntsman reported second-quarter revenue of $1.458 billion, a 7.4% drop year-on-year, as global construction and industrial slowdowns weighed heavily on results.

Colombia’s National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute (Invima) has urgently warned meat producers, sellers, and consumers about the serious public health threats posed by illegally sourced meat.

On July 30, President Trump announced a steep 50% tariff on Brazilian imports to the US, excluding over 700 products—but beef didn’t make the exemption list.