Japan: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Japan
April 03, 2026--The Japanese economy has displayed impressive resilience in the face of global shocks and output is growing above potential. Domestic demand has been robust and unemployment remains low. After three decades of near-zero inflation, prices grew faster than the BOJ's target for over three and a half years before moderating in January.
While nominal wages are rising at a historic pace, there are persistent concerns about the cost of living as high inflation erodes household purchasing power.
Growth is projected to remain strong in 2026, but to moderate to 0.8 percent due to weaker external demand and the impact from the conflict in the Middle East. Private investment and consumption are expected to remain strong, the latter supported by a gradual rise in real wages as inflation eases and labor shortages persist. From 1.3 percent y/y in February, inflation is expected to rise in 2026 before converging to the BOJ's target in 2027. Risks to the outlook and inflation are broadly balanced.
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Source: imf.org
Global X China Life Franklin HK-US Equity Select ETF(3428)Listed on HKEX
March 31, 2026-Cross–Market ETF Focusing on Hong Kong High-Dividend Stocks and U.S. Leading Growth Companies
The Global X China Life Franklin Hong Kong-U.S. Equity Select ETF (the "Fund)' (stock codes: 3428 HKD / 83428 RMB / 9428 USD) was officially listed on Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX).
The Fund tracks the CSI Select Market Moderate Index, which adopts a dual-engine strategy comprising 65% Hong Kong high-dividend assets and 35% U.S. leading growth companies.
The index selects 45 securities from dividend-paying Hong Kong-listed companies eligible for the Southbound Stock Connect and leading non-financial U.S. firms, enabling investors to gain exposure to both Hong Kong SAR and U.S. equity markets through a single product.[1] The Fund is traded in HKD (3428), RMB (83428), and USD (9428) counters.
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Source: Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited
Hang Seng Indexes Company and Korea Exchange Launch the First Co-branded HK-Korea Cross-Market Index Series to Deepen Capital Market Connectivity
March 31, 2026-Hang Seng Indexes Company ('HSIL') and Korea Exchange ('KRX') today jointly announced the launch of the Hang Seng KRX HK-Korea Index Series, marking the first co-branded cross-market index collaboration between the two organisations and a significant step in deepening capital market connectivity between Hong Kong and Korea.
By bringing together iconic benchmarks from both markets, the new series provides investors with diversified exposure to companies listed in two of Asia's leading financial markets.
The launch builds on strong equity market performance and robust investor appetite in both Hong Kong and Korea last year.
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Source: Hang Seng Indexes Company
Global X Australia Launches the Global X Humanoid Robotics ETF Tracking the Solactive Global Humanoid Robotics AUD Index
March 30, 2026- Solactive is pleased to announce the latest collaboration with Global X Australia on the launch of the Global X Humanoid Robotics ETF (ASX: HMND), which tracks the Solactive Global Humanoid Robotics AUD Index. The product is designed to provide exposure to companies driving innovation in the ecosystem of humanoid robotics.
Technological progress in generative artificial intelligence, machine vision, and motion control is accelerating the transition of humanoid robots from research environments toward commercial deployment. At the same time, structural labor shortages, aging populations, and growing automation demand across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare continue to support robotics adoption.
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Source: Solactive
E Fund HK Launches E Fund (HK) Solactive Asia Semiconductor Select Index ETF Tracking the Solactive Asia Semiconductor Select Index
March 26, 2026-Solactive is pleased to announce its continued collaboration with E Fund Management (Hong Kong) Co., Limited ("E Fund HK") through the launch of the E Fund (HK) Solactive Asia Semiconductor Select Index ETF, which tracks the Solactive Asia Semiconductor Select Index.
Following the recent launch of the E Fund (HK) Solactive Biopharma Select Index ETF, this new product further expands the collaboration between E Fund HK and Solactive in thematic equity strategies. The product is designed to reflect the performance of leading semiconductor companies across Hong Kong and East Asia, highlighting the importance of the semiconductor industry within the global technology ecosystem.
Semiconductors play a critical role in enabling technological innovation across areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation mobility solutions.
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Source: Solactive
What the war in Iran means for China
March 17, 2026-China is relatively inured to the Iran conflict, but less external demand could hit its exports and its international partnerships may be undermined
The disruption to global energy flows triggered by the United States and Israel's attacks against Iran are a severe test of energy security, export resilience and geopolitical strategy for China, the world’s largest oil importer.
While Beijing's massive oil stockpiles and diversified sourcing offer short-term protection, a prolonged conflict over Iran could exacerbate domestic economic pressures and undermine China's global goals.
Access to Iranian oil cut off
Iran has long served as a vital, discounted source of energy for China. This has especially been the case since 2021 when the Iran-China 25-year cooperation agreement was signed, securing a $400 billion of oil at below market prices for China, in exchange for investment in Iran's infrastructure and security cooperation1.
By the end of 2025, China was importing up to about 1.4 million barrels per day (mbd) from Iran, representing 13 percent of its total crude imports and some 80 percent to 90 percent of Tehran’s oil exports2.
Iranian oil was often rerouted to circumvent US sanctions3. To avoid the reputational and financial risk from importing sanctioned oil, this oil was mainly bought by small, private 'teapot' refineries, rather than major Chinese state-owned oil companies.
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Source: bruegel.org
ChinaAMC (HK) Successfully Launched ChinaAMC HK-US AI ETF China-US AI Rising Stars, All in Your Hands Stock Code: (3140 HK /9140 HK /83140 HK)
March 12, 2026-China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited ("ChinaAMC (HK) ") is pleased to announce the official launch
of the ChinaAMC HK-US AI ETF (the "Fund"), which will start trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on
March 18.
The Fund closely tracks the "Solactive G2 AI 50 Select Index", comprising up to 50 leading AI companies listed
in Hong Kong and the United States.
To optimize diversification and mitigate concentration risk, the index
methodology applies a strategic regional allocation (62% in Hong Kong, China, 38% in the United States) and
enforces strict single-stock weighting caps (maximum 8% for HK-listed and 5% for U.S.-listed companies). All
constituents must meet rigorous liquidity standards. Using FactSet RBICS classifications, the index targets
three core themes: "AI Software", "AI Hardware", and "AI-Driven Applications", providing investors with
dynamic exposure to the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
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Source: ChinaAMC (HK)
KB Asset Management Launches RISE China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus ETF Tracking the Solactive China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus Index
March 10, 2026--Solactive is pleased to announce the collaboration with KB Asset Management by the launch of the RISE China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus ETF, which tracks the Solactive China AI Semiconductor Top 4 Plus Index.
The product is designed to provide exposure to Chinese companies active in the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor value chain, reflecting China's strategic focus on strengthening domestic AI infrastructure and semiconductor capabilities.
Amid increasing global investment in artificial intelligence technologies, China has expanded efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities across AI ecosystem. Research published by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) highlights China's policy focus on advancing AI chips and large language model development as part of broader technology self-reliance initiatives.
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Source: Solactive
China's banking goliath: from growth engine to economic drag
March 6, 2026-China's banking system has long been utilised as a quasi-government tool to channel China’s huge household savings towards the government's objectives. This has been instrumental to the country's economic miracle, yet the support it provides is diminishing as banks face rapidly falling profitability and stretched balance sheets.
This will have important consequences for the Chinese economy.
Thirty years ago, China lacked a functional financial sector. By 1998, banks were saddled with 50% non-performing loans, prompting a massive recapitalisation. The rebuilt system, centred around four giant, state-owned banks, amassed deposits from a thrifty population who could not move their money abroad due to capital controls.
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Source: Bruegel
Harvest Global Investments Limited Launches Harvest G2 Tech 50 ETF Tracking the Solactive Harvest Tiger G2 Tech 50 Select Index
March 6, 2026--Solactive announces its collaboration with Harvest Global Investments Limited ("Harvest Global") on the launch of the Harvest G2 Tech 50 ETF, which tracks the Solactive Harvest Tiger G2 Tech 50 Select Index. The ETF provides exposure to technology companies listed in Hong Kong and the United States within a single rules-based framework.
Technology companies represent a significant segment of global equity markets, supported by ongoing developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital platforms, and hardware and software solutions.
The United States hosts many large technology companies, while Hong Kong serves as a key listing venue for Chinese technology firms. By including securities from both markets, the index reflects companies operating across two major innovation ecosystems.
The Solactive Harvest Tiger G2 Tech 50 Select Index is a rules-based equity index comprising up to 50 constituents. The selection includes the 30 largest eligible Hong Kong-listed companies by free float market capitalization and the 20 largest eligible U.S.-listed companies by free float total market capitalization.
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Source: Solactive