Live blog updates from 9 AM – 12 PM IST on October 15, 2026. All times are in IST.
10:37 AM IST: Asian Stocks Slide as US Treasuries Rally on Safe-Haven Demand US Treasuries rallied across the yield curve during Thursday’s Asian morning session as investors sought safety amid a broad equity sell-… (5:07 am UTC · 1:07 am ET)
Asian Stocks Slide as US Treasuries Rally on Safe-Haven Demand
- US Treasuries rallied across the yield curve during Thursday’s Asian morning session as investors sought safety amid a broad equity sell-off.
- The US 10-year Treasury yield fell 4 basis points to 5.14%, while the policy-sensitive 2-year and 30-year yields also declined.
- Hotter-than-expected US inflation data triggered selling in equities and renewed demand for government bonds, reversing the recent pattern of bond selling driven by inflation and fiscal concerns.
- South Korea’s KOSPI fell another 7%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 4% intraday to 65,028, and Taiwan’s TAIEX declined more than 3%.
- ITC Markets senior analyst Kit Lowe said investors had returned to the traditional safe-haven trade of buying sovereign bonds during equity market sell-offs. Asset managers, including PIMCO, have also recently advocated increasing bond allocations following market declines.
10:37 AM IST: US Weighs Easing Shadow Fleet Sanctions and Unfreezing Frozen Russian Assets Shipping sanctions under review: The Trump administration is considering allowing previously sanctioned oil tankers linked… (5:07 am UTC · 1:07 am ET)
US Weighs Easing Shadow Fleet Sanctions and Unfreezing Frozen Russian Assets
- Shipping sanctions under review: The Trump administration is considering allowing previously sanctioned oil tankers linked to shadow fleets to transport oil and petroleum products not prohibited by US sanctions, aiming to increase supply and reduce elevated global shipping costs.
- Russian diesel sanctions eased: The discussions follow a temporary US relaxation of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, drawing criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, several European governments and some Republican senators.
- Frozen Russian assets proposal: According to the Financial Times, the US has proposed unfreezing some Russian sovereign assets frozen since the Russia-Ukraine war began and transferring them to an institution overseen by Washington to help restart peace talks.
- European opposition: The proposal was reportedly rejected by European representatives during discussions in Miami involving US, Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.
- Diplomatic tensions rise: The proposals have raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals about Washington’s approach to Russia, while the details of any asset release and the use of the funds remain under discussion.
10:37 AM IST: Asian Chip Stocks Plunge as AI Funding Concerns and Fed Rate Hike Fears Intensify Samsung Electronics fell over 7% and SK Hynix dropped more than 8% on Thursday as the global sell-off in technology st… (5:07 am UTC · 1:07 am ET)
Asian Chip Stocks Plunge as AI Funding Concerns and Fed Rate Hike Fears Intensify
- Samsung Electronics fell over 7% and SK Hynix dropped more than 8% on Thursday as the global sell-off in technology stocks continued, dragging South Korea’s KOSPI down more than 6% at one point.
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined over 3% intraday, while semiconductor equipment makers Tokyo Electron and Screen Holdings each fell around 3%.
- Investor concerns are mounting over rising interest rates, stretched AI valuations and the massive financing required to build AI infrastructure.
- Strong earnings from Samsung and ASML failed to restore confidence. Meanwhile, AI cloud infrastructure company CoreWeave’s shares plunged, and its bonds fell to levels associated with heightened corporate financial distress.
- US September CPI data, which recorded its largest monthly increase in five months, strengthened market expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike, adding further pressure on technology stocks.
10:37 AM IST: US Considers Easing Oil Shipping Sanctions and Unfreezing Russian Assets for Peace Talks Shadow fleet sanctions under review: The Trump administration is considering allowing previously sanctioned shi… (5:07 am UTC · 1:07 am ET)
US Considers Easing Oil Shipping Sanctions and Unfreezing Russian Assets for Peace Talks
- Shadow fleet sanctions under review: The Trump administration is considering allowing previously sanctioned ships to transport oil and petroleum products not restricted by US sanctions, aiming to increase shipments and reduce elevated global shipping costs.
- Russian diesel sanctions temporarily eased: The discussions follow a temporary US relaxation of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, drawing criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European governments and some Republican senators.
- Frozen Russian assets proposal: According to the Financial Times, the US has proposed unfreezing some Russian sovereign assets frozen since the Russia-Ukraine war began and transferring them to an institution overseen by Washington to help restart peace talks.
- European opposition: The proposal was reportedly rejected by European representatives during discussions in Miami involving US, Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.
- Diplomatic tensions: The proposals have raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals over Washington’s approach to Russia. The details of any asset release and how the funds would be used remain under discussion.
10:37 AM IST: Fed Rate Hike Odds Rise as US Inflation Hits 3.7%; Treasury Yields Reverse Gains October rate hike probability: CME FedWatch puts the probability of the Federal Reserve keeping rates unchanged in Octo… (5:07 am UTC · 1:07 am ET)
Fed Rate Hike Odds Rise as US Inflation Hits 3.7%; Treasury Yields Reverse Gains
- October rate hike probability: CME FedWatch puts the probability of the Federal Reserve keeping rates unchanged in October at 66.8%, while the probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point hike stands at 33.2%.
- December outlook: Markets assign a 62.2% probability to a cumulative 25-basis-point hike by December and a 28.7% probability to a 50-basis-point increase. The probability of no change is 9.1%.
- US inflation exceeds expectations: September CPI rose 3.7% year-on-year, above market expectations of 3.6%, initially pushing the 2-year Treasury yield to its highest level in more than two weeks.
- Treasury yields retreat: US Treasury prices rebounded overnight, with yields across most maturities falling as traders weighed inflation pressures against dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials.
- Fed policy signals remain mixed: Fed official Mary Daly said rate hikes may be necessary but are not imminent. TD Securities strategist Brooks said the October outlook remains uncertain as economic data and Fed communications send different signals.
- Trump on oil prices: President Donald Trump said the US is making more money than ever because oil prices are high.
10:38 AM IST: Morgan Stanley CEO Expects AI Spending to Stay Near $1 Trillion Annually for 5–10 Years Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick expects global AI spending to remain around $1 trillion annually over the next 5–10… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
Morgan Stanley CEO Expects AI Spending to Stay Near $1 Trillion Annually for 5–10 Years
- Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick expects global AI spending to remain around $1 trillion annually over the next 5–10 years, despite potential bottlenecks and overbuilding.
- Pick said AI investment will continue at a massive scale, with AI-related capital expenditure helping drive growth in both the US and global economies.
- He said banks play a role in managing the pace of AI investment, slowing financing when markets move too quickly and accelerating it when necessary.
- JPMorgan Chase CFO Jeremy Barnum said the bank is closely monitoring its exposure to AI as infrastructure development drives rising capital expenditure requirements.
- The comments highlight the scale of AI infrastructure investment and growing attention among major banks to the financing risks associated with the spending boom.
10:38 AM IST: US Stocks Fall as Nasdaq Drops 1.88%; Semiconductor Index Slides 4.3% Major indexes close lower: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.09%, the S&P 500 declined 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite dr… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
US Stocks Fall as Nasdaq Drops 1.88%; Semiconductor Index Slides 4.3%
- Major indexes close lower: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.09%, the S&P 500 declined 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.88%.
- Big Tech stocks slide: Nvidia fell 3.16%, Broadcom dropped 3.10%, Meta declined more than 3%, and Tesla lost over 2%.
- Semiconductor stocks under pressure: The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 4.3%. Micron Technology fell 4%, while SK Hynix declined 6%.
- AI infrastructure stocks tumble: CoreWeave plunged more than 15%, while Dell Technologies dropped over 11%, adding to concerns around technology and AI infrastructure spending.
- Chinese stocks weaken: The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index fell 1.39%, with Bilibili and NIO both declining more than 4%.
- US dollar strengthens: The US Dollar Index rose 0.37% to 102.554. The euro weakened to $1.1153 and the British pound fell to $1.3181, while the dollar rose against the Swiss franc and Canadian dollar.
10:38 AM IST: IMF Raises Asia-Pacific Growth Forecast to 4.8%; India FY27 Forecast Increased to 7% Asia-Pacific growth upgraded: The IMF raised its 2026 regional GDP growth forecast to 4.8% from 4.4% in April, citi… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
IMF Raises Asia-Pacific Growth Forecast to 4.8%; India FY27 Forecast Increased to 7%
- Asia-Pacific growth upgraded: The IMF raised its 2026 regional GDP growth forecast to 4.8% from 4.4% in April, citing strong demand for AI-related technologies and resilient intra-Asian trade.
- India growth forecast raised: The IMF increased India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.0% from 6.5%.
- South Korea outlook improves: The IMF sharply raised South Korea’s 2026 growth forecast to 3.3% from 1.9%.
- Japan forecast unchanged: The IMF maintained its 2026 GDP growth forecast for Japan at 0.7%.
- Risks from AI and energy: The IMF warned that Middle East-related energy shocks could weigh on regional growth. Given Asia’s exposure across the AI supply chain, any slowdown in AI demand could have an outsized impact.
- Bond yield risks: Tighter US monetary policy and fiscal pressures in advanced economies could continue pushing Asian bond yields higher.
10:38 AM IST: South Korea to Tighten Real Estate Oversight, Target Foreign Speculation and Suspicious Trades South Korea’s Real Estate Agency plans to strengthen property market supervision, with a focus on foreign… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
South Korea to Tighten Real Estate Oversight, Target Foreign Speculation and Suspicious Trades
- South Korea’s Real Estate Agency plans to strengthen property market supervision, with a focus on foreign speculative activity and transactions suspected of distorting prices.
- The agency will compile new statistics on foreign home ownership and commercial property vacancy rates.
- It will use big data and artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy of official property valuations and real estate statistics.
- Market and transaction data will be analysed more closely to identify speculative activity and abnormal trading patterns.
- The agency also plans to strengthen consumer protection, according to remarks by its head at the National Assembly on October 15, Yonhap reported.
10:38 AM IST: IMF Warns AI Boom Reversal Could Hit Asia; South Korea Benefits Disproportionately AI-driven growth: An IMF official said South Korea has benefited disproportionately from the artificial intelligence… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
IMF Warns AI Boom Reversal Could Hit Asia; South Korea Benefits Disproportionately
- AI-driven growth: An IMF official said South Korea has benefited disproportionately from the artificial intelligence boom, while Japan has also gained but to a much lesser extent.
- South Korea forecast upgraded: The IMF raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast for South Korea to 3.3% from 1.9%.
- Japan outlook unchanged: The IMF maintained Japan’s 2026 GDP growth forecast at 0.7%.
- AI demand risk: The IMF warned that any reversal in the AI boom or adjustment in AI demand could have a particularly significant impact on Asia because of the region’s deep exposure to the AI supply chain.
- Bond yield pressure: Tighter US monetary policy and fiscal pressures in advanced economies could continue to push Asian bond yields higher.
10:38 AM IST: $850 Billion Wiped Out as US Tech Stocks Suffer Steepest Drop in Three Months Market value erased: US technology stocks lost around $850 billion in market value as the sector recorded its steepest dec… (5:08 am UTC · 1:08 am ET)
$850 Billion Wiped Out as US Tech Stocks Suffer Steepest Drop in Three Months
- Market value erased: US technology stocks lost around $850 billion in market value as the sector recorded its steepest decline in three months, driven by renewed fears of Federal Reserve rate hikes.
- Inflation sparks concerns: US September CPI rose 3.7% year-on-year, reigniting concerns that the Fed may need to tighten monetary policy further.
- Semiconductors lead losses: The iShares Semiconductor ETF plunged 4.5%, reflecting broad-based selling across chipmakers.
- Big Tech under pressure: Nvidia and Meta Platforms each fell more than 3%, adding to pressure on the Nasdaq Composite.
- Oracle tumbles: Oracle shares dropped 8.8% during the session, among the sharper declines in major technology stocks.
- Why it matters: Higher interest rates can weigh on high-growth technology and AI stocks by increasing borrowing costs and reducing the present value of expected future earnings.
10:39 AM IST: CoreWeave Seeks Insurance Funding as AI Chip-Backed Financing Exceeds $35 Billion Insurance capital push: NVIDIA-backed AI cloud provider CoreWeave is seeking funding from insurance companies to reduc… (5:09 am UTC · 1:09 am ET)
CoreWeave Seeks Insurance Funding as AI Chip-Backed Financing Exceeds $35 Billion
- Insurance capital push: NVIDIA-backed AI cloud provider CoreWeave is seeking funding from insurance companies to reduce financing costs for AI chips and infrastructure.
- Chip-backed borrowing expands: Fundraising through chip-backed loans, high-yield bonds, convertible securities and equity has exceeded $35 billion year-to-date. CoreWeave’s debt and lease obligations stood at approximately $52 billion at the end of June.
- Major financing deal: Earlier this year, CoreWeave secured an $8.5 billion loan backed by NVIDIA chips and a long-term Meta usage contract. It plans to pitch insurers loans backed by lower-rated customers, including AI labs.
- CEO defends business outlook: CoreWeave’s CEO expressed confidence in the company’s financing, sales, business model and order backlog, saying the backlog is sufficient to support its debt obligations.
- Stock sell-off concerns: The CEO blamed the recent share-price decline on irrational market behaviour and said delays to other companies’ IPOs were affecting investor perceptions of CoreWeave.
- Tech stocks slide: CoreWeave plunged more than 15% in Wednesday’s US session. NVIDIA fell around 3%, Micron declined 4%, SK Hynix dropped 6%, and Dell lost more than 11%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.88%.
10:39 AM IST: Barclays Analyst Sees Possible Tesla–SpaceX Deal Before December 6 Potential merger speculation: Barclays analyst Dan Levy believes a Tesla–SpaceX deal could be announced before Tesla’s annual meeting… (5:09 am UTC · 1:09 am ET)
Barclays Analyst Sees Possible Tesla–SpaceX Deal Before December 6
- Potential merger speculation: Barclays analyst Dan Levy believes a Tesla–SpaceX deal could be announced before Tesla’s annual meeting, which is due by December 6, Bloomberg reported.
- SpaceX acquisition seen as likeliest: Levy views SpaceX acquiring Tesla as the most likely deal structure.
- AI chip integration at the centre: Levy said the key strategic value would be vertical integration around the Terafab AI chip plant.
- Regulatory hurdles: JPMorgan warned that regulators, particularly in China, could delay a potential transaction.
- No confirmation: Neither Tesla nor SpaceX has confirmed merger talks. Newsquawk described the analyst’s note as speculation rather than evidence of an active deal process.
10:58 AM IST: Global Smartphone Shipments Plunge 22% as Memory Chip Costs Surge Record decline: Global smartphone shipments fell 22% in the third quarter, marking the largest quarterly drop on record, according to… (5:28 am UTC · 1:28 am ET)
Global Smartphone Shipments Plunge 22% as Memory Chip Costs Surge
- Record decline: Global smartphone shipments fell 22% in the third quarter, marking the largest quarterly drop on record, according to market research firm IDC.
- AI demand drives chip costs: Rising demand for memory chips from the artificial intelligence industry has sharply increased component costs, squeezing smartphone manufacturers’ profit margins.
- Prices rise, specifications cut: Manufacturers are responding by raising smartphone prices, reducing specifications and discontinuing low-cost models aimed at budget-conscious consumers.
- Memory costs surge 350%: IDC Research Director Nabila Popal said memory chip costs have risen approximately 350% since last year and continue to climb.
- Further pressure expected: Popal warned that the market has not yet reached its bottom, suggesting smartphone shipments and manufacturers’ profitability could face further pressure.
10:58 AM IST: HSBC Warns AI Infrastructure Funding Faces Tighter Scrutiny as Investors Demand Higher Returns Stricter financing standards: HSBC’s head of corporate and institutional banking, Michael Roberts, said b… (5:28 am UTC · 1:28 am ET)
HSBC Warns AI Infrastructure Funding Faces Tighter Scrutiny as Investors Demand Higher Returns
- Stricter financing standards: HSBC’s head of corporate and institutional banking, Michael Roberts, said banks and investors are becoming more cautious about financing large-scale AI infrastructure projects and are demanding higher returns.
- AI investment faces pressure: A global technology stock sell-off and sharp declines in semiconductor shares have intensified concerns about the financing challenges facing the AI sector.
- Rising borrowing costs: Higher interest rates and elevated global bond yields are increasing the cost of capital for AI infrastructure projects.
- Financing deals under scrutiny: Roberts said lenders will focus more closely on reasonable returns and appropriate financing structures, adding that the enormous size of these deals makes them harder to complete.
- Long-term investment outlook: PwC estimates that AI-related infrastructure investment spending in Asia alone could reach $8.2 trillion by 2050.
11:31 AM IST: TSMC Q3 Profit Jumps 69% to $23.6 Billion as AI Chip Demand Fuels Expansion Profit beats expectations: TSMC’s third-quarter net profit surged 69% year-on-year to NT$763.1 billion ($23.6 billion), exce… (6:01 am UTC · 2:01 am ET)
TSMC Q3 Profit Jumps 69% to $23.6 Billion as AI Chip Demand Fuels Expansion
- Profit beats expectations: TSMC’s third-quarter net profit surged 69% year-on-year to NT$763.1 billion ($23.6 billion), exceeding analyst estimates.
- Revenue accelerates: Quarterly revenue rose 51% year-on-year to $47 billion, with the company reporting faster revenue growth over the past two quarters.
- Record capital expenditure: TSMC reiterated that capital expenditure could reach a record $64 billion this year as it expands capacity to meet growing demand.
- 2027 spending forecasts climb: Goldman Sachs projects TSMC’s 2027 capex at $85 billion, while UBS estimates $90 billion, both above the institutional-survey average of $75 billion.
- Around 20 fabs planned: TSMC is working to build and equip roughly 20 semiconductor fabrication plants simultaneously across Taiwan and overseas, compared with its historical norm of four to five concurrent projects.
11:41 AM IST: South Korean Regulator Calls Emergency Meeting as KOSPI Plunges 9% and KOSDAQ Triggers Circuit Breaker South Korea’s KOSPI plunged 9% to 5,467 intraday, prompting an emergency response from financial… (6:11 am UTC · 2:11 am ET)
South Korean Regulator Calls Emergency Meeting as KOSPI Plunges 9% and KOSDAQ Triggers Circuit Breaker
- South Korea’s KOSPI plunged 9% to 5,467 intraday, prompting an emergency response from financial regulators.
- The KOSDAQ fell more than 8%, triggering a Level-1 circuit breaker and a 20-minute trading halt.
- The Korea Exchange suspended new order submissions during the halt but allowed order cancellations. Trading resumed through a 10-minute call auction before the market was scheduled to fully reopen.
- Under Korea Exchange rules, a Level-1 circuit breaker is triggered when the KOSPI or KOSDAQ falls at least 8% from the previous close and the decline persists for one minute.
- This was the first Level-1 circuit breaker on the KOSDAQ since July 29. South Korea’s financial regulator said it would convene an emergency meeting to discuss the market sell-off.
- FSC pledged market-stabilising measures and stronger investor protection.
Intraday recap covering 9 AM – 12 PM IST. All times are in IST (UTC/ET equivalents in brackets). For real-time updates, visit our Live News Blog.
