Market UpdatesAug 21, 20262 Min
Global market wrap: Asian stocks trade mixed as US markets remain under pressure; Samsung surges 5%
We are back with quick updates on global developments around stock markets, commodities and companies that you shouldn’t miss today.
Asian stocks were trading mixed on Friday amid weak sentiment in the US markets after long-dated US Treasury yields pushed up even further.
South Korea’s Kospi index jumped 1.2% on Friday to 6,935. Japan’s Nikkei index, however, slipped 0.4% to 65,970.
China’s Shanghai Composite index was trading flat at 3,901, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.7% to 25,885.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.3% to 9,054 on Friday. However, Singapore’s Straits Times inched up 0.2% to 5,681.
US stock futures were steady on Friday after a turbulent session on Thursday. S&P 500 futures and futures tied to the Dow were almost flat, while Nasdaq 100 futures were up just around 0.2%.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 declined 0.87%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 1.3% and the Nasdaq Composite closed lower by 1%.
Oil prices eased slightly on Friday even as the US-Iran equation remained tense after the US said it will create “the greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world” against Iran.
The US crude oil futures for October delivery dropped 0.5% to $86.38 per barrel by 0026 EDT, while Brent futures for October delivery slipped 0.4% to $93.43 per barrel.
Gold prices rose on Friday to head for a third straight weekly gain. US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.6% to $4,601 per ounce, while spot gold climbed 0.58% to $4,547 per ounce by 0426 GMT.
Here’s a look at the key developments of the day:
Samsung’s board set to discuss huge shareholder return package today
Samsung Electronics will hold a board meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss a new shareholder return package, according to a report. Multiple other media reports put the plan’s worth at more than $70 billion.
Samsung is expected to discuss special dividends as well as share buybacks and cancellations. Under its 2024 to 2026 shareholder return policy, Samsung commits 50% of three-year free cash flow to shareholders.
Samsung shares jumped nearly 5% on Friday in Seoul. The stock has surged 300% over the past 12 months, but have come off a record high in June amid concerns over AI spending.
Anthropic wants to match or beat SpaceX’s record IPO size
A report said that Claude creator Anthropic PBC plans to match or exceed the size of SpaceX’s record-breaking initial public offering (IPO).
The report added that Anthropic is analysing financial projections as it prepares to file publicly for its IPO as soon as the end of this month. Chief Financial Officer Krishna Rao has already led recent investor briefings, but avoided discussing valuation details.
SpaceX had raised $75 billion in its IPO, making it the largest share sale on record. The total reached $86.2 billion after exercising the overallotment option.
SpaceX wins over $8 billion in Golden Dome contracts
SpaceX has reportedly won more than $8 billion in contracts related to the Golden Dome programme, representing at least one-third of the total budget allocated for the project. The company was selected to provide military data satellites and rocket launches for the programme.
According to a report, SpaceX has obtained billions of dollars in government contracts to build and launch military satellites this year. The Trump administration has permitted SpaceX to bypass certain wireless network requirements as well. Officials are also working to reduce environmental reviews associated with rocket launches, the report added.
Nvidia denies report of return to China AI market
Nvidia on Thursday denied a report that claimed that the company was planning to begin shipping a language processing unit (LPU) tailored for Chinese customers by year-end. Nvidia’s spokesperson said it has no China-specific version of the product on its roadmap.
"The reporting in The Information on Nvidia’s LPU is incorrect. We have no LPU sales in the China market today, and no China-specific LPU product in our roadmap,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Amazon commits $2 billion to expand Prime Video across Latin America
Amazon.com’s Prime Video has committed $2 billion to expand its content and sports footprint across Latin America between 2027 and 2030.
The multi-year initiative aims to accelerate regional growth by scaling original productions, securing live sports rights, and extending third-party streaming storefronts across Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
The company plans to more than double its slate of local original titles by 2030 relative to 2026 levels, anchored by more than 25 new releases scheduled for 2027.
Shein likely to make its Hong Kong market debut on September 1
Shein aims to launch its Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) on August 24 and is targeting a listing on September 1, which is slightly later than previously planned, according to a report.
While September 1 is the target date, the listing could happen a few days later, the report added.
Among cornerstone investors in the IPO is the asset management arm of UBS Group, which would be reportedly be investing in Shein for the first time.
