Mizuho CEO Kihara: Corporate actions remain strong but Middle East uncertainty could hurt profit targets; markets may be overpriced given geopolitical risks.

Australia's core inflation stays above RBA target in April, reinforcing hawkish expectations after rapid rate hikes

Australia's core inflation remained above the top of the Reserve Bank's target in April, reinforcing expectations policymakers will maintain a hawkish tone following rapid-fire interest-rate hikes this year.

Samsung union approves compensation deal with $340,000 bonuses, averting strike that threatened global chip supply.

Samsung's largest union voted in favor of a compensation deal that will hand chip workers an average bonus of about $340,000, staving off a strike that threatened to disrupt global chip supply.

Australia Q1 construction work surges 3.4%, smashing 0.8% forecast and reversing prior decline.

Australia's construction work done in the first quarter rose 3.4% quarter-on-quarter, beating expectations of 0.8% and reversing a prior 0.1% decline.

China industrial profits surge 24.7% in April, fastest pace since early 2025, driven by robust manufacturing output.

China's industrial profits rose 24.7% year-on-year in April, accelerating from a 15.8% increase in March. Year-to-date, profits were up 18.2%.